This easy smoked corn on the cob recipe is a twist on a classic summer food. It adds a little smoky flavor to this quintessential summertime food that is always a favorite side dish for family gatherings, backyard BBQs, summer cookouts, and more.
Corn on the cob ranks right up there with coleslaw, mac and cheese, and pasta salad when it comes to classic summer sides. Although it’s delicious any time of year, it’s always served at backyard parties, potlucks, and for family dinners when the summer rolls around. It’s been a staple in my family for years, and it’s never gotten old. There’s just nothing better than tender corn on the cob that explodes with juicy flavor when you bite into it. And while my family and I love it simply prepared by boiling it, I do like to mix things up from time to time. I’ve made it boiled, roasted, seasoned up to perfect street corn perfection, and more. One of my favorite ways to make it, though, is smoking it. The flavor you get when you smoke corn on the cob is like nothing you’ve ever had before, and it pairs so perfectly with all your backyard barbecue favorites.
Smoked Corn on the Cob
This corn on the cob recipe is incredibly easy and so full of flavor. I find the freshest corn possible, then I season it simply with some Slap Ya Mama seasoning and black pepper and add butter for that rich buttery flavor we all love about classic corn on the cob. Then, I simply smoke it with the husks on and serve it up to friends and family. It’s the perfect side for any backyard party, especially if you’re grilling or smoking. Every bite is smoky, buttery, and zesty, exploding with flavor in every mouthful.
Why You’ll Love Smoked Corn on the Cob
- It’s a super easy way to cook corn on the cob.
- It only takes 4 simple ingredients.
- It’s a delicious side for backyard barbecues, summer cookouts, or any gathering.
Smoked Corn on the Cob Ingredients
It doesn’t take much of anything to make this delicious side. You only need 4 ingredients that you can find easily at your local grocery store.
- Fresh ears of corn
- Butter
- Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- Black pepper
How to Make Smoked Corn on the Cob
Making this recipe is just as easy as the ingredient list. In just a few steps, your corn will be on the smoker, and then, not long after, it will be on your plate!
Step 1: Prep
Pull back the husks and remove the silk on the cobs. The rubber band method mentions earlier is a great way to do this. Then, preheat the smoker to 450 degrees for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Season
Add butter randomly over the corn and rub it in. Then, sprinkle the cobs with seasoning and pepper. Put the husks back in place and secure the ends by tying them with thin strips of husk.
Step 3: Smoke
Place the corn on the cob directly on the smoker grate and cook for 25 to 30 minutes until the corn is tender, turning occasionally.
Step 3: Enjoy
Remove the cooked corn from the smoker and remove the husks. Place the corn on a serving tray and add additional butter. Enjoy!
Smoked Corn on the Cob Tips and Variations
This recipe is incredibly easy to make, but I have a couple of tips to make things even easier on you. I also have some variations that I think you’ll love.
Tips
- To easily remove the silk from the corn, wrap a large rubber band around your fingers. Then, gently rub it against the corn kernels. It will trap the silk, leaving behind a clean ear of corn.
- Be gentle when peeling back the husk. You want it to remain intact so it can serve as a barrier that traps the steam created while the corn smokes and prevents too much heat on the corn.
Variations
- For a mild version of this recipe, omit the Slap Ya Mama seasoning.
- Add Italian seasoning for an interesting flavor.
Best Pellets for Smoking
There are several good pellet brands on the market. In general, you want to pick pellets from reputable brands known for high-quality products. Bargain basement pellets tend to have a lot of filler and not as much actual hardwood, making a smoke that is weak. Some of the highest-rated brands on the market include:
- Camp Chef Premium Hardwood Pellets
- Weber SmokeFire Hardwood Pellets
- CookinPellets 40PM Perfect Mix Smoking Pellets
- Lumber Jack Competition Blend Grilling Pellets
- Pit Boss Natural Hardwood Pellets
- Bear Mountain Premium Hardwood Pellets
- Traeger Grills Signature Blend
What to Serve with Smoked Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is a classic side, and it goes with so many different foods. It’s perfect with all your favorite main dishes, grilled and smoked foods.
- Smoked or grilled chicken
- Grilled pork chops
- Ribs
- Smoked beef
- BBQ beef
- Hamburgers
- Hot dogs
- Coleslaw
- Mac and cheese
- French fries
- Sweet potato fries
- Baked potatoes
- Pasta salad
Smoked Corn on the Cob FAQ
If you have questions about this recipe, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about smoked corn on the cob.
How do you make sure corn is fresh?
When picking corn on the cob at the store, look for ears that are fully filled in and have firm, full-looking kernels. Buy your corn as close to the date you want to cook it as possible. After it’s removed from the stalk, the sugars in the kernels slowly convert to starch, so buying corn a few days before cooking it will lead to corn that’s not nearly as sweet when cooked.
Can you smoke corn on the cob?
You sure can, and it’s delicious. The steam that gets trapped inside the husk keeps the corn from drying out as the hot smoke cooks it.
Why should you smoke corn?
It adds so much more flavor than simply boiling it. Smoking the corn in the husk also keeps it tender and juicy while still maintaining that firm pop we all enjoy when we bit into it.
How long do you smoke corn?
That depends on the recipe. Some call for higher heat, which means the corn needs less time to cook. Some recipes call for lower heat which requires more time for the corn to cook. In general, it takes anywhere from around 30 minutes to around 90 minutes to smoke corn.
How do you know when smoked corn on the cob is done?
Pull back the husk and check the kernels. They should look plump and almost like they’ve been steamed or boiled. If they don’t have that look, simply replace the husk and continue smoking for another 10 to 15 minutes.
What is a pellet grill?
A pellet grill uses wood pellets instead of wood chunks to cook the food. These grills use no charcoal or gas. The wood pellets provide both the heat and the smoke for cooking.
How do pellet grills work?
They work in the same way that convection ovens work. The wood pellets are burned to heat up the grill to a specific temperature. At the same time, a system of fans runs to circulate the hot smoky air to cook the food.
How to Store Leftover Corn on the Cob
Wrap the ears individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Try This Easy Smoked Corn on the Cob
This smoke corn on the cob is so easy to make, and it’s absolutely loaded with flavor. The perfect complement to any backyard barbecue, the smoky, zesty flavor of this corn pairs perfectly with all your barbecue and backyard cookout favorites. Give it a try the next time you grill, and I know you’ll find yourself making it every time you cook out. It’s just that good and that easy!
More Delicious Corn Recipe You’ll Enjoy
Hot Corn Salad – This delicious corn salad is super easy to make and only uses a few ingredients. Corn, celery, green onions, mayo, sour cream, cheese and Chili Cheese Fritos. SO GOOD!
Southwest Corn Salsa – This corn salsa recipe is great to add to tacos, salads, wraps, and with tortilla chips. Hearty and delicious.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad – A delicious pasta salad made with fresh corn on the cob, pasta, and all the flavors of street corn is an easy pasta salad recipe that is perfect for backyard barbecues, potlucks, or as a side dish to all your favorite main dishes.
And, here is a Cajun Buttered Corn on the Cob recipe from our other blog, Deliciously Seasoned, that you will enjoy as well.
Smoked Corn on the Cob
Ingredients
- 6 fresh ear of corn
- ½ cup butter, room temperature, cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 450° for 15 minutes.
- Pull back husks and remove the silks on each ear of corn.
- Add butter randomly over corn, rub in and then sprinkle corn with seasoning and pepper.
- Pull husks back in place and tie each ear of corn with thin strips of the husks.
- Place corn directly on the grill and cook for 25-30 minutes until corn is tender, turning occasionally.
- Remove corn from the grill, remove the husks, place on a serving tray and add additional butter, if desired, then enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Thanks for the smoked corn on the cob and other recipes
Hi Pat, Thank you! I’m so glad you are enjoying our recipes. Thanks for the 5-star rating too! :)