Okay, listen up! Summer is here, and you NEED a go-to side dish for all those backyard barbecues and lazy evenings on the patio. Forget boring old buttered corn. We’re talking about something with a serious kick, something that’ll make your taste buds sing. Get ready for my absolute favorite way to enjoy this summer staple: Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob!
Seriously, this stuff is addictive. It’s got that amazing smoky char from the grill, a creamy, zesty coating, and just the right amount of heat to make things interesting. Every time I make this Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob, people rave about it. It disappears from the serving platter in minutes! It just feels like summer on a stick, you know?
And the best part? It’s ridiculously easy. You’re looking at about 10 minutes of prep time and just 12 minutes on the grill. That means you can go from raw corn to spicy, smoky perfection in a total of around 22 minutes. This recipe makes enough for 6 servings, but honestly, you might want to double it. Trust me on this one!
Why You’ll Love This Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob
So why is this Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob going to be your new summer obsession? Let me count the ways!
- It’s bursting with flavor – way beyond just butter and salt.
- Seriously, it’s SO easy to whip up. Minimal fuss, maximum deliciousness.
- It’s absolutely perfect for grilling out. It just screams backyard party!
- That little spicy kick is totally adjustable, so you can make it just right for you.
The Taste of Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob
Okay, let’s talk about the taste. You get that sweet, juicy corn kernel pop, right? Then comes this creamy, slightly tangy coating with a smoky depth from the paprika. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out, BAM! That sriracha heat hits you, but it’s not overwhelming, just exciting. It’s spicy, smoky, creamy, and sweet all in one bite. Magical!
Essential Ingredients for Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob
Alright, let’s gather our goodies! You don’t need a ton of fancy stuff for this, just some good quality ingredients to make that Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob sing. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 6 ears fresh corn on the cob, shucked and cleaned: Look for those bright green husks and plump kernels!
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise: Use your favorite creamy mayo here.
- 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce: This is where the firecracker part comes in! Adjust to your heat preference.
- 1 tablespoon lime juice: Freshly squeezed is always best for that bright zing.
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika: Gives it that lovely smoky depth.
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese: That salty, crumbly goodness is a must!
- Fresh cilantro, chopped: For a little fresh color and flavor pop at the end.
- Lime wedges: Perfect for a final squeeze before digging in.
Preparing Your Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob
Okay, now for the fun part – getting this Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob ready to hit the heat! It’s super straightforward, promise. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be biting into spicy, smoky deliciousness in no time.
First things first, we gotta get that grill screaming hot. Go ahead and preheat your grill to medium-high heat. While it’s heating up, we’ll whip up that incredible coating.
Once the corn is coated and the grill is ready, it’s time to get grilling! We’ll talk about that in a minute.
After they’re perfectly charred and tender, they come off the grill for the final touches. It’s all about timing and getting that amazing smoky flavor infused into the corn.
Making the Spicy Coating for Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob
This spicy coating is what makes this Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob so special! Grab a small bowl. Dump in your mayonnaise, sriracha (remember, you can totally tweak this amount!), fresh lime juice, and that lovely smoked paprika. Give it a good stir until everything is perfectly combined and looks like a beautiful, fiery orange dream. Easy peasy!
Grilling the Perfect Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob
Alright, grill’s hot? Awesome. Lightly brush each ear of corn with that spicy mayonnaise mixture you just made. Don’t go too heavy, just a nice even coating. Carefully place the coated corn directly on the preheated grill. Let them cook for about 10-12 minutes total, making sure to turn them every couple of minutes. You want those beautiful grill marks and a little char – that’s where the smoky magic happens – but you still want the corn tender. They’ll look and smell amazing when they’re ready!
Tips for Perfect Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob
Want to make sure your Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob is the absolute best it can be? Here are a couple of little tricks I’ve picked up along the way. First, don’t be shy about adjusting the sriracha! If you love the heat, add a little more. If you prefer just a hint of spice, dial it back. Also, while cotija is amazing, crumbled feta cheese works beautifully too if that’s what you have on hand. It gives a similar salty tang that complements the spicy coating perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob
Got questions about whipping up this amazing Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob? Totally understandable! Here are a few common things people ask, and my best answers for you:
Can I make Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob ahead of time?
You can absolutely mix up the spicy coating a day or two ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. I wouldn’t coat the corn until right before grilling though, otherwise, it might get a little soggy.
What can I substitute for cotija cheese in Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob?
If you can’t find cotija or just prefer something else, crumbled feta cheese is a fantastic substitute! It has that similar salty, crumbly texture that works really well with the spicy flavors of this grilled corn.
Estimated Nutritional Information for Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob
Okay, so you’re probably wondering about the nitty-gritty details, right? Just a heads-up, these are estimates and can vary depending on the specific ingredients you use. But generally, for one ear of this delicious Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob, you’re looking at around 200 Calories, with about 15g of Fat (mostly the good stuff!), 4g of Protein, and 15g of Carbohydrates. It’s a side dish, after all, but a mighty tasty one!
Serve Your Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob
Once that amazing Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob comes off the grill, don’t wait! Sprinkle it immediately with that beautiful crumbled cotija cheese and a generous handful of fresh, chopped cilantro. The cheese gets all melty and wonderful on the hot corn. Serve it up hot with extra lime wedges on the side for squeezing – that little burst of citrus just takes it over the top!
Store and Reheat Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob
Got leftovers of this amazing Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob? Lucky you! Let them cool completely, then pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep for a few days. To reheat, the grill is always best for keeping that smoky flavor, but a quick warm-up in a hot oven or even the microwave works in a pinch. Just don’t overdo it, you still want those kernels juicy!
Share Your Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob Experience
I seriously hope you give this Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob a try this summer! If you do, please come back and tell me all about it in the comments below. Did you crank up the heat? Add extra cheese? I love hearing how you make it your own! Don’t forget to leave a rating, and snap a pic to share on social media – tag me so I can see your delicious creations!
Print
Firecracker Grilled Corn on the Cob: 12 Mintues
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Grilled corn on the cob with a spicy and flavorful coating.
Ingredients
- 6 ears fresh corn on the cob, shucked and cleaned
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sriracha, lime juice, and smoked paprika.
- Lightly brush corn with the mayonnaise mixture.
- Grill corn for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and slightly charred.
- Remove corn from grill and immediately sprinkle with cotija cheese and fresh cilantro.
- Serve hot with lime wedges.
Notes
- Adjust sriracha to your desired level of spice.
- You can substitute cotija cheese with crumbled feta cheese.
- If fresh corn is not available, you can use frozen corn on the cob, thawed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ear
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: grilled corn, corn on the cob, firecracker corn, spicy corn, summer recipes