Sweet Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe

This Sweet Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe brings together smoky grilled corn, creamy butter, fresh orange zest, and a touch of sweetness for a vibrant summer side dish. Featured on Maddie and Kiki BBQ Barn Season 2, this recipe from hosts Maddie and Kiki Longo turns simple corn on the cob into a bright, buttery BBQ favorite that is easy to recreate at home.

The Inspiration

Grilled corn on the cob is one of the most iconic dishes of backyard barbecue season. It is simple, nostalgic, and universally loved, but when cooked over live fire or a hot grill, it becomes something even more special. The kernels blister slightly, the natural sugars caramelize, and the smoky aroma makes every bite taste like summer. This version takes that familiar comfort and gives it a fresh citrus twist with orange butter, creating a side dish that feels playful, colourful, and full of personality.

On Maddie and Kiki BBQ Barn Season 2, Maddie and Kiki Longo bring a fun, flavour-forward approach to grilling, and this recipe fits beautifully into that style. It is not complicated, but it is memorable. The orange butter adds brightness, the honey or maple syrup enhances the sweetness of the corn, and a pinch of spice gives just enough warmth to balance the richness of the butter. It is the kind of BBQ side that looks beautiful on a platter, pairs with almost anything from the grill, and disappears quickly once served.

Ingredients

4 fresh corn cobs, not shucked but silk removed
½ cup room temperature unsalted butter (125ml)
1 navel orange
2 tbsp chives, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, grated on a rasp
Salt and pepper
Oil, for grill

Methods

To prepare the corn, remove the silk but keep the husks on.
Place corn in a large container of cool water and submerge.
Allow corn to soak for 1 hour. Remove corn from the water and shake off any excess water.
Prepare barbeque for medium high heat direct grilling (around 375F).
Oil the grill to prevent sticking.
Place corn on the grill and cover the barbeque.
Cook the corn for 7-8 minutes (turning every 2 minutes) or until you hear sputtering and the husks are nice and charred.
Using a rasp, remove the zest from the orange, and then cut the orange in half.
Place the halved oranges on the hot grill cut side down.
Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until nicely charred.
Remove the orange halves from the grill and allow to cool slightly.
To prepare the butter, combine the butter, orange zest, chopped chives, minced garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
Squeeze the juice of the charred orange over the butter.
Whisk to combine ingredients evenly.
Transfer the butter to a ramekin (refrigerate if you need it to firm it up a bit).
Remove corn from grill and cool for a few minutes.
Using a towel, grasp the ear of the corn and pull down the husk.
With a knife, spread butter over the corn and enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

This Sweet Grilled Corn on the Cob is a perfect side dish for warm-weather meals, backyard barbecues, family cookouts, cottage weekends, picnics, and casual summer dinners. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, smoked ribs, burgers, barbecue sausages, cedar-planked salmon, grilled shrimp, or vegetable skewers because its sweet citrus butter balances savoury, smoky, and spicy mains.

For a complete BBQ spread, serve the corn alongside coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, grilled peppers, cucumber salad, cornbread, or a bright tomato salad. The orange butter also makes this dish feel special enough for entertaining, especially when the corn is arranged on a platter with fresh herbs, citrus wedges, and a sprinkle of flaky salt.

For drinks, pair it with lemonade, iced tea, sparkling water with citrus, a crisp lager, a wheat beer, or a chilled white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Because the recipe is colourful, easy to hold, and naturally crowd-friendly, it works especially well for outdoor gatherings where guests can grab a cob, brush on extra butter, and enjoy a relaxed, hands-on BBQ experience.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe is a celebration of summer grilling, combining the smoky sweetness of fresh corn with a bright, creamy citrus butter that makes every bite feel sunny and satisfying. Featured on Maddie and Kiki BBQ Barn Season 2 and hosted by Maddie and Kiki Longo, this dish stands out because it transforms a familiar BBQ side into something more flavourful, colourful, and memorable without requiring complicated ingredients or techniques.

Find more recipes from Maddie & Kiki’s BBQ Barn here!