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Grilled Corn on the Cob with Old Bay Seasoning

on August 31, 2020
last updated January 22, 2025
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This Grilled Corn on the Cob with Old Bay Seasoning is cooked to perfection and topped with a blend of spices to make the ideal fresh summer side dish.
overhead shot of four ears of corn with grill marks and sprinkled with old bay seasoning

Looking for a refreshing, flavorful, crisp summer snack, app, or side? This Grilled Corn on the Cob with Old Bay Seasoning is the most delicious way to consume your kernels.

Sweet corn is amazing on the grill! It gives it a little bit of a smoky flavor while keeping the texture perfectly juicy and crisp. And when you slap on some butter and spice, the magic really happens.

Old Bay is typically used as a seafood seasoning, but I’m here to prove that it’s delicious on anything from French fries to corn (see these Old Bay Fries with Quick Aioli next!).

Plus, as a time-pressed mom on-the-go who loves a gourmet meal, having a 20-minute side dish that requires just 3 ingredients to complete any meal is a huge blessing!

close up of grilled corn with old bay seasoning

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Old Bay Ingredients


Here’s everything you need:

  • Corn. Fresh corn on the cob, preferrable still in their husks.
  • Butter. Any unsalted butter of your choice. Dairy-free works too! It’s best if it’s softened.
  • Old Bay Seasoning. My all-time favorite! It’s great on seafood and vegetables! None on hand? Check out this article on Every Old Bay Seasoning Substitute. The most evident flavor in Old Bay Seasoning is celery salt, but the seasoning also has subtle notes of spicy cayenne, nutmeg, and paprika.
Corn, butter and old bay seasoning

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Old Bay Tips and Tricks


Grill it Plain, Jane

The corn should go directly on your grill, after shucking, of course. This will give it that juicy, crispy, charred on the outside crunch we are looking for. You may even be able to get some grill marks!

But don’t add your butter until after the corn comes off the grill.

Keep it Cool

Your corn will be nice and hot when it’s just off the grill, so give it a couple of minutes to cool before handling it. If it’s too hot, the butter will melt right off. We want the softened butter to stick to the corn so your seasoning can cling to it.

adding softened butter to grilled corn

Don’t Be Shy

I grew up in Maryland, so Old Bay is like powdered GOLD in my book. And for this and any recipe involving this treasured dust, I say: BRING IT ON.

The corn can handle it. I find the easiest way to coat the corn is to keep one end on the table, lift the other end, and slowly rotate it while using your other hand to sprinkle with the seasoning.

adding old bay seasoning to grilled corn

Tested Substitutions

This corn can easily be made vegan by using a non-dairy butter substitute. Old Bay Seasoning and corn are both naturally vegan ingredients.

If you don’t have Old Bay Seasoning on hand, you can use your favorite seasoning or check out this article on Every Substitute for Old Bay Seasoning, which includes a homemade version!

3 ears of grilled old bay corn with one bite taken out of the middle one

Serving Your Old Bay Corn

I love to serve it hot off the grill, right on the cob, but you can also cut the kernels off and place them in a bowl. This easy grilled corn recipe is really versatile and goes with many meals, but here are some of my favorite accompaniments:

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Why You Should Make This Corn on the Cob with Old Bay Seasoning


  • It’s simple. 3 ingredients. Enough said.
  • It’s fresh. Nothing like shucking fresh corn on the cob.
  • It’s summery. Getting those grill marks really sets the mood.
overhead shot of four ears of corn with grill marks and sprinkled with old bay seasoning

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Old Bay Seasoning

5 from 4 votes
Marley Goldin
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This Grilled Corn on the Cob with Old Bay Seasoning is cooked to perfection and topped with a blend of spices to make the ideal fresh summer side dish.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2 ears of corn

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Shuck your corn and heat directly on the grill for about 15 minutes, rotating every five minutes or so. Your corn should have grill marks or at least some charring.
    2 ears of fresh corn
  • Remove your corn from the grill and allow it to cool enough so that it is easy to handle. Butter evenly on all sides.
    2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • Generously sprinkle with Old Bay, rotating the corn so that all sides are evenly seasoned.
    1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning

Pro Tips

  • Grill your corn dry! You will butter it once you remove it from the grill.
  • Make sure your corn has cooled for a couple of minutes before buttering. It will avoid burning your hands but will also allow butter to remain on the corn so your seasoning sticks.
Course Sides
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Keyword 30 Minutes or Less, 5 Ingredients or Less, Corn on the Cob, Easy, Fall, Grilled Corn, Healthy, Summer
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