Corn Ribs Are the Fun + Flavorful Side Dish You Need to Try — Easy 30-Minute Recipe
Learn how to cut them perfectly and safely
Summertime wouldn’t be complete without the sweet and juicy goodness of corn on the rob. Growing up my mom would always put out a bowl of corn holders on the dinner. But now, I don’t need them anymore thanks to the viral corn ribs recipe! Their curled “rib” shape makes them the perfect finger food for a barbecue. They also pack in a lot more flavor than the whole cob thanks to a garlic butter soak, so you don’t need a sauce. I found an easy 30-minute grill recipe with tips for cutting them safely. Plus, some fun dip ideas to pair them with! Here’s how to make corn ribs.
What are corn ribs?
If you follow the latest food trends on social media, you probably already know about corn ribs. I first learned about them from this TikTok video below. A vegetarian take on classic ribs, they’re made by slicing whole corn cobs into thick strips. When cooked (either grilled, fried or baked), the edges curl up to resemble ribs. This makes them an easy finger food. But the best part? Cooking corn this way allows more flavor to soak in, something you can’t aways get with whole corn.
How to cut corn ribs safely
As someone who doesn’t have good knife skills, I had to practice on one cob before getting it right. But with these expert tips, it proved easier than I thought.
First, you’ll need a sharp knife and fresh corn. “The fresher the corn, the easier they are to cut,” says Claire Bowles, creator of Sprinkles and Sprouts. She also likes to “par-cook the corn first, as it makes it easier to cut.” And for extra safety, Bowles says to “place a damp cloth or non-slip mat under your chopping board to stop it from moving about.”
“To cut the ribs, you want to make sure the ends of the corn are flat. So, cut off the pointy end,” continues Bowles. Then, stand the corn cob upright on its flat end on a cutting board. With one hand holding the knife, hit the knife with your other palm repeatedly to push it down the middle. Do not have any hand under the knife, because you may cause an accident. You should have two halves. Then, cut each halve using the same method, making four ribs. Bowles’ easier method, however, was to “cut the corn in half, around the middle, to give you smaller ribs.” Watch this video below for a demonstration.
Tips for grilling corn ribs
It turns out, corn isn’t as intimidating to grill as meat. But that doesn’t mean a few expert tips can’t help you get the best corn that’s juicy and tender.
1. Preheat the grill
For better grill marks and even cooking, preheat your grill to a medium-high heat (around 400°F).
2. Add the flavor
Flavor your ribs before and after cooking. It tastes far better than just a sprinkle of oil and salt. Rub them with a spice blend first, then after the grill, toss them in your favorite sauce or glaze.
3. Time it right
Grill the corn ribs for a few minutes on each side, just until they begin to char and soften slightly. Keep a close eye on them, as corn cooks quickly, and flip gently to avoid breaking.
4. Use indirect heat
If your gill gets very hot, consider using indirect heat for the last few minutes of cooking. I moved them to a cooler part of the grill so the corn cooked through without burning.
Got an air fryer? Learn how to cook Air Fryer Corn On The Cob.
Easy corn ribs recipe
I loved this 30-minute recipe from recipetineats because it has so much flavor. Not only are the ribs coated with smoked paprika and garlic powder, but they also soak in a rich garlic butter sauce after grilling.
Corn Ribs
Ingredients
- 4 whole corn cobs
- 3 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbs. parsley, roughly chopped (optional garnish)
- 1½ tsp. garlic powder
- 2½ tsp. smoked paprika, plus more for garnish if desired
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. black pepper
- 3 Tbs. unsalted butter
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
Directions
- Active Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 16 ribs
- Using a sharp knife and a non-slip cutting board, cut off the base and the pointy end of the corn. Then cut the corn into quarter-sized ribs.
- Heat barbecue on high. While heating, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Then add the minced garlic and cook for 20 seconds until it smells amazing. Remove from the stove and keep warm/liquid.
- Mix the garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper in a small bowl. Then, place corn in a separate large bowl. Toss with olive oil. Then sprinkle the seasoning over gradually, tossing in between, to coat as evenly as possible.
- Place corn on the barbecue kernel side down. Cook for 8 minutes or until you get charred spots. Then, cook each cut side for 1 minute.
- Transfer corn back into the large bowl. Pour over garlic butter and toss. After, pile onto a plate, sprinkle with parsley then grab and serve with preferred dipping sauce.
Storage notes
Leftover corn ribs will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days. But I don’t recommend freezing them as they will lose their flavor.
Fun dipping sauces for your corn ribs
You can make your corn ribs with any combination of spice rubs and glazes. But I figured to share some easy and fun dipping sauces for extra flavor that will wow a crowd at your next barbecue. I personally recommend the chipotle mayo, but feel free to experiment!
1. Creamy sriracha
This recipe from recipetineats combines 2 tsp. sriracha and ¼ cup each of mayo and yogurt, as well as a pinch of salt.
2. Avocado crema
Keep it light and refreshing with half of a ripe avocado, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 Tbs. lime juice and ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro.
3. Chipotle mayo
For a bold and spicy kick, combine ½ cup mayo with ¼ cup chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Then, season with 1 Tbs. lime juice, a sprinkle of paprika and salt and pepper.
4. Honey sauce
Go sweet and sticky with ½ cup honey, ¼ cup Dijon mustard and 1 Tbs. lime juice.
Love dips? Try this recipe for Mexican Street Corn Dip!
For more on corn, check out these stories:
How to Grill Corn on the Cob So the Kernels Are Juicy, Tender, and Perfectly Charred
How to Reheat Corn on the Cob So It Stays Juicy, Crunchy and Sweet
This Cornbread Recipe Bakes to Moist + Buttery Perfection in 25 Minutes — So Easy!
