Campfire Cooking Recipes - Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob might not be a typical campfire cooking recipe but once you have perfected the simple recipe, you will wonder why you hadn't tried it before!

First, select corn at its prime. The husks should be stiff and dark and you should be able to feel the kernels when you press against the husk. Strive to cook and serve the corn the same day it is picked to maximize freshness. Once the corn is picked, the sugars begin to convert to starch and the corn will start to lose its natural sweetness.

Collect enough cold water in a sink or bucket to cover the corn for soaking. The corn will float on top but the water will get where it needs to be. If you prefer, add a handful of coarse salt to the water and stir. Let the corn soak for about an hour. You can stir occasionally but it's not necessary. If you are roughing it while camping and don't have access to a sink for soaking the corn, just skip this step.

After you have removed the corn from the bath, shake the excess water off but don't be afraid to leave a little moisture on the kernels. This will aid in the steaming process. Pull back the husks to the handle and remove the silk. Slather the kernels with sweet, salted butter and shake some salt and pepper on. Pull the husks back up to cover the corn. Tightly wrap the buttered corn in 2 layers of tin foil and place on the hot coals of the fire. The roasting should be complete in 20 minutes. Check one ear after 10 minutes to gauge the remaining cook time. The corn should be steamed through and the heated butter should have caramelized. If scorching occurs, bury the next batch in ashes.

Allow the corn to cool off before unwrapping. The foil may have pockets of steam that could burn you.

When you are ready to deviate from standard corn on the cob, try a sweeter version. Mix some honey and salt with some butter and slather on before wrapping in tin foil. The sweetness of honey combines well with the salt and butter.

To save prep time at the campsite, try covering the corn with the butter mixture and wrapping in foil while at home. Once you are ready to cook at camp, you can simply pull out the foil packages and toss them in the fire. If you prepare at home, you can also be more creative with the seasonings you pair with the butter. Think chives or chili powder!

Once you and your family have tried this recipe, you can make your own variations of campfire cooking recipes. Enjoy!