Planning corn-forward dishes for a barbecue
Corn is a natural barbecue companion—versatile, crowd-pleasing, and easy to scale. Build a menu that uses corn in several roles for variety.
Menu roles:
- Hands-on: grilled corn on the cob with multiple finishing sauces (butter, spicy, cheesy).
- Side dish: corn salad or succotash that can be prepped ahead.
- Creative topping: charred corn for tacos, burgers, or baked potatoes.
Timing and prep:
- Grill last-minute ears close to serving for freshness.
- Make salads and salsas ahead and chill—dress lightly and add finishing herbs at service.
- Keep a small pan on the grill to char kernels quickly for toppings.
Serving ideas:
- Set up a toppings station with compound butters, cheeses, and spice mixes for DIY elote.
- Pair corn dishes with grilled proteins like chicken, fish, or steak and fresh green salads.
Tips:
- Buy corn the same day or day before the event to maintain sweetness.
- Offer vegetarian and vegan finishing options so every guest can enjoy corn dishes.
Avoid serving corn dishes that rely on delicate herbs too far in advance; add them just before serving to keep flavors bright.