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 mixture of butter and other ingredients. It is used to enhance flavor in various dishes.
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 the grill to 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 manhandles 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.
Expert Tips
- 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.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
Bobby grills his corn with the inner husks and you do not-what are your thoughts for this?
It’s definitely an option. If you’re referring to Bobby Flay, he is the grill expert 🙂
Oh my gosh, is it wrong if I make this 3 times a week?! Seriously, all of my favorite flavors together! Love this recipe!
Nope! Nothing wrong with that!
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
Wow, this recipe is amazing! So good!
So glad you like it!
As soon as I saw the name for this I knew we would love it. We use the same seasonings with frozen corn too!