This Grilled Corn with Chili Lime Compound Butter is a Tex-Mex twist on a summer classic. Summer and Sweet Corn are a marriage made in heaven. But plain sweet corn can get a little predictable. So I took some inspiration from one of my favorite Iron Chefs, Bobby Flay, and created a Chili Lime Grilled Corn recipe that is salty, sweet, spicy and creamy. Yum!
I use the word marriage here with purpose because this corn on the cob recipe is everything a good marriage should be. It has its tender moments, a little bit of heat, a little tang and very satisfying.
Why This Grilled Corn with Chili Lime Compound Butter Recipe Works
Along with the perfectly grilled corn, the amazing compound butter makes this corn amazing.
What is Compound Butter? Compound butter is a mixtures of butter and other ingredients. It is used to enhance flavor in various dishes.
A compound butter can be made by whipping room temperature butter with herbs or spices and then formed into a shape and wrapped in plastic and refrigerated to firm up.
How to Make Chili Lime Corn on the Cob Recipe – Step by Step
- Step One: First, in a small bowl, combine butter and honey. (Photo 1 below)
- Step Two: Next, add chili powder, and salt. (Photo 2 below)
- Step Three: Then squeeze in fresh lime juice and mix well.(Photo 3 below)
- Step Four: Then add the Cayenne Pepper, mix again and put in the refrigerator to firm up . (Photo 1 below)
- Step Five: Next, preheat grill to a medium high heat and grill the corn. Brush corn with Chili Lime Butter before serving. (Photo 2 below)
How to Grill the Perfect Corn for this Chili Lime Flavored Butter
As I stated previously, this recipe is inspired by my favorite Iron Chef, Bobby Flay. I just love the way that that man handles a grill. I think it is because summers are so short here I savor every moment that we can grill outside.
With that in mind, here are some tips from the man himself on how to grill a perfect ear of corn.
Quick Tip for Shucking Corn for your Grilled Corn Recipe
1.) First, cut off the stalk of each ear about one inch above the last row of kernels.
2.) Next, microwave for two to four minutes.
3.) Then, holding the uncut end, shake and squeeze the husk until the corn slides out.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Chili Lime Corn
- Add Bacon: Add bacon bits to your compound butter for extra crunch and amazing flavor.
- Get Cheesy: Try adding some Feta or Queso Fresco Cheese.
- More Spice: Use some more Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper or Cumin to add more heat.
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Grilled Corn with Chili Lime Compound Butter
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter - softened
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- 6 ears of corn - husked
- 1/8 teaspoon cilantro - chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine butter, lime juice, honey, chili powder, salt and cayenne until mixed well.
- Preheat grill to medium high.
- Place corn on preheated grill and grill for 6-8 minutes, or until slightly charred and cooked through.
- Remove corn from grill and brush with Chili Lime Compound Butter. Garnish with Cilantro.
Notes
- Add Bacon: Add bacon bits to your compound butter for extra crunch and amazing flavor.
- Get Cheesy: Try adding some Feta or Queso Fresco Cheese.
- More Spice: Use some more Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper or Cumin to add more heat.
Nutrition
- Want to scale a recipe up or down? Simply type in a new serving amount and the recipe will automatically adjust!
- When a recipe call for House Seasoning Blend, you can use this recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- I always use unsalted butter in my recipes.
- I always use a meat thermometor to test for doneness when cooking meat. This one is my favorite.
- When a recipe is made in the oven, it should be pre-heated to the temperature in the recipe, unless otherwise noted.
- The nutritional information provided in this recipe is an estimate. Learn more on how I calculate nutritional information for my recipes.
Karen says
Bobby grills his corn with the inner husks and you do not-what are your thoughts for this?
Christina Hitchcock says
It’s definitely an option. If you’re referring to Bobby Flay, he is the grill expert 🙂
Natalie says
Oh my gosh, is it wrong if I make this 3 times a week?! Seriously, all of my favorite flavors together! Love this recipe!
Christina Hitchcock says
Nope! Nothing wrong with that!
Susanne says
We grilled burgers the other night and I made this corn to go on the side. It was fantastic! We’ll be making this corn the rest of the summer. Thanks for the delicious recipe.
Susanne
Kelsey says
Wow, this recipe is amazing! So good!
Christina Hitchcock says
So glad you like it!
Jade says
As soon as I saw the name for this I knew we would love it. We use the same seasonings with frozen corn too!