Chili Lime Corn on The Cob

Warm weather and sweet corn on the cob go hand in hand.  Grilled Chili Lime Corn On The Cob gives this summer staple a twist that’s hard to resist. Tart lime, spicy chili powder, and cilantro butter on sweet charred corn offer a vibrant flavor perfect for any BBQ.

We love serving this chili lime corn on the cob alongside Hawaiian Burgers, Lemon Rosemary Grilled Chicken, Glazed Turkey Burgers with Creamed Feta, and Grilled Flank Steak Sliders.

Chili Lime Corn on the Cob

Guys! We are finally in the thick of prime fresh corn season! I might be the weird one here, but the moment I start seeing homegrown corn stands everywhere I get probably a little too excited.

If you’re the same as me, you’ll go crazy over this chile lime corn on the cob with homemade chili lime butter. With this recipe, we can take the perfectly selected and shucked corn on the cob and lather it with a mix of seasonings and spices, mixed into melted butter.

If you thought you liked corn, just wait until you try it coated in this mixture, it will blow your mind. This easy corn-on-the-cob recipe can just be thrown on the grill and ready in minutes, to make getting dinner on the table even easier.

What Kind of Corn Should I Buy?

Let’s be honest for a second. The produce aisle at the grocery store can be intimidating, with all of the options these days. From organic to homegrown, to white or yellow, who knows what to choose? 

Well, I’m here to hopefully ease some of that produce aisle pain, for your next trip to the store with a few things to keep in mind for this recipe.  

White, Yellow or Multicolored? 

You might have always been told that one kernel color is sweeter than the other, meaning you should give attention to which color corn you are buying. 

I’ll let you in on a little secret, there’s actually no difference in the taste of white corn vs. yellow corn. Both have the same sweetness and overall flavor. The color really serves no purpose, so feel free to choose whatever cob color you wish. 

Fresh or Frozen? 

I highly suggest buying fresh corn on the cob, because the flavor and texture will be a lot better, than frozen corn. While I do suggest fresh, frozen will work too if that’s all you have to work with.

Just know that it might not come out to the same quality level as fresh corn. 

What Do I Need To Make Chili Lime Butter?

For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

This is a pretty straight forward recipe, with a lot of common ingredients you probably already have on hand. You’ll also want to be sure you have a few of the necessary tools that will allow you to get this recipe made in no time.

• Butter, softened or melted
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• lime, zested and juiced
• Chili powder
• Seasoned salt
• Fresh cracked pepper
• Sugar
• Crushed red pepper

Kitchen Tools

• Pastry brush 
• Corn dishes 
• Lemon zester 
• Lemon-lime squeezer

Chili Lime Corn – Great for Summer Grilling

Is it even really summer if you’re not firing up the grill as much as you possibly can? What better excuse to get the grill going than to try out a new grilled corn on the cob recipe? 

This chili lime corn is the epitome of the taste of summer, and great for any occasion. Make a bulk batch when you need some quick sides for a party or a small batch for when you just need to spice up your weeknight dinner routine. 

Tips for the Best Chili Lime Corn on the Cob

• Don’t peel back the husk too early: When shopping for you fresh corn, you want to be sure to get a good ear, but don’t peel back the husk while shopping. It will deplete the shelf life of the corn, and dry it out in no time.
• Use a basting brush: When applying your chili lime butter, use a basting brush. It makes spreading the butter easy as pie and gets you an even coat. 
• Wrap it in foil: For juicer results, wrap the buttered corn in tin foil, and cook for 15-20 minutes, turning every few minutes. Either way is delicious, but the corn tends to turn out a little juicier when cooked in the foil. 

Sides That Will Steal the Show at Your Next BBQ

Easy Classic Bean Salad – A great side dish in the summer but yet hearty enough for a fall side as well! Quick to make, packed with flavor, and travels well making it perfect for potlucks!

Grilled Chipotle Peach Salsa – A fresh spicy-sweet fruit salsa recipe perfect for dipping. Spoon peach salsa over fish or chicken for a perky topping!

Grilled Carrots with Chipotle Lime Dip – A surprisingly easy and healthy way to serve carrots and boy are they full of flavor. They would make a wonderful snack or a great addition to your dinner table tonight!

Caprese Pasta Salad – a fresh, easy and simple summer pasta salad perfect for BBQs. It has all the flavors of a traditional Caprese salad in pasta form!

Watermelon Feta Salad – A summertime favorite, this salad is nothing short of spectacular!

Your New Summer Staple!

There’s no lack of places to find corn in the summer, so you have no excuses to not make this chili lime corn on the cob recipe. Trust me once you make it, you’ll find yourself stocking up on new ears of corn every week. 

Like This Recipe?

I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review below and let me know how you liked the recipe!

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Chili Lime Corn on The Cob

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Warm weather and Grilled Chili Lime Corn On The Cob go hand in hand. Tart lime, spicy chili powder, and cilantro butter on sweet charred corn offer a vibrant flavor perfect for any BBQ.

Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn, husked
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened or melted
• 1-2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 medium lime, zested and juiced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat outdoor grill to medium or broiler.
2. In a small bowl, combine butter, lime zest, lime juice and all the seasonings. Lightly brush corn with butter mixture.
3. Place buttered corn on grill*, cover and cook until tender and slightly charred, about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally during cooking. Remove from the grill and slather each ear with remaining butter.

Notes

*Sometimes I wrap the buttered corn in tin foil, and cook for 15-20 minutes, turning every few minutes. Either way is delicious, but the corn tends to turn out a little juicier when cooked in the foil.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 233
Total Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 46mg
Sodium: 347mg
Carbohydrates: 17g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 4g
Protein: 3g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

Originally posted in June 2019. Updated in July 2024. No changes were made to the recipe.