Corn Ribs with Garlic Butter and Smoky Spices Recipe
Delicious and fun to eat, Corn Ribs are a creative twist on traditional corn on the cob. This recipe features corn cobs cut into rib-like sections, seasoned with a smoky garlic paprika blend, and either grilled on the BBQ or baked in the oven until charred and tender. A flavorful garlic butter drizzle and fresh parsley garnish bring out the best in this simple, crowd-pleasing side dish that’s perfect for summer barbecues or cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes (oven) or 10 minutes (BBQ)
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (1 cob per person, 4 ribs per cob) 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Corn Ribs
- 4 whole corn cobs
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp parsley or coriander/cilantro, roughly chopped (optional garnish)
Seasoning
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (or ordinary), plus more for garnish if desired
- 2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
Garlic Butter
- 50g / 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
Instructions
- Cut the corn into ribs: Using a sharp knife and a non-slip cutting board, first slice off the base and the pointy end of each corn cob. Stand the cob upright and cut it in half lengthwise, then cut each half in half again to create four ‘ribs’ per cob. To ease cutting, you can tap the knife down the cob repeatedly. Alternatively, for easier cutting, slice the cobs into shorter length ribs as noted.
- Preheat your cooking source: For the best results, heat your BBQ grill to high. If using an oven, preheat it to 200°C (375°F) or 180°C (fan).
- Prepare the garlic butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 20 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and keep warm.
- Mix the seasoning: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Season the corn ribs: Place the cut corn ribs into a large bowl. Toss them with extra virgin olive oil until evenly coated. Gradually sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the corn, tossing in between to evenly distribute the spices. Some seasoning will stick to the cob ‘bone,’ adding extra flavor.
- Cook the corn ribs: If using a BBQ, place ribs kernel-side down on the grill. Cook for about 8 minutes until charred spots appear and the corn curls into rib shapes. Then turn each cut side and grill for about 1 minute more each. If using an oven, bake the corn ribs for 25 to 30 minutes kernel side up. Note that oven-cooked ribs won’t curl or char as much as grilled ones.
- Butter the corn ribs: Transfer the cooked ribs back to the bowl and pour the warm garlic butter over them. Toss gently to coat all pieces evenly.
- Serve and garnish: Pile the corn ribs onto a serving plate. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or coriander. Serve immediately and enjoy eating them like ribs, making sure to savor the seasoned garlic butter ‘bone.’
Notes
- For easier cutting, shorter corn ribs can be made by slicing the cob into shorter sections lengthwise.
- Grilling on the BBQ adds the best smoky char flavor and causes the corn to curl like ribs, whereas oven baking produces tender ribs without curling or charring.
- Optional: Serve with a pink sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor variety.
- Ensure the knife is sharp and the cutting board is stable to safely cut through the corn cobs.
Keywords: corn ribs, grilled corn, BBQ side dish, garlic butter corn, smoked paprika corn, summer recipes, easy vegetable side
