If you’re on the hunt for an irresistible way to jazz up your summer cookout or just want to brighten up a weekday dinner, this Bang Bang Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe is your new best friend. I absolutely love how this corn combines the sweet and smoky flavors with a little kick from the sriracha, resulting in something so flavorful your whole family will be asking for seconds. Stick with me, and I’ll share everything you need to know so you nail it every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Burst of Flavor: The Bang Bang sauce blends sweet, spicy, and tangy notes for a mouthwatering combo you won’t find in your everyday grilled corn.
- Simple Prep: You don’t need to soak the corn beforehand, making it a perfect quick and easy grill recipe.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a relaxed family dinner or a festive outdoor gathering, it fits right in.
- Kid-Approved Spicy Kick: You can easily adjust the heat level for picky eaters or bold spice lovers alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Bang Bang Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe lies both in fresh, quality ingredients and a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. When shopping, look for fresh, plump ears of corn and a good-quality sweet chili sauce for the best results.
- Fresh corn: Choose ears with bright green husks and silky, moist tassels to ensure sweetness.
- Sweet chili sauce: This is the base of your bang bang butter—think sweet with a mild kick.
- Butter: I always go for unsalted to better control the salt in the recipe.
- Sriracha sauce: Adds that lovely spicy heat; adjust based on your spice preference.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic really boosts the savory notes here.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed is best—it brings a bright freshness that lifts the entire dish.
- Salt & pepper: Simple seasoning essentials to enhance all other flavors.
- Fresh cilantro: Adds a final fresh, herbaceous punch when sprinkled on top.
Variations
I love to switch things up with this recipe depending on what I have on hand or the vibe of the meal. The beauty of this Bang Bang Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe is how adaptable it is—you can dial back the heat, swap herbs, or even try it on the stove if you don’t have a grill ready.
- Less spicy version: When my kids join the cookout, I leave out the sriracha or reduce it to half a teaspoon—it still tastes amazing!
- Extra smoky flavor: I sometimes finish the corn with a light sprinkle of smoked paprika for an added depth of flavor.
- Herb swaps: If you’re not a cilantro fan, fresh parsley or basil work beautifully as a garnish.
- Grill alternatives: If no outdoor grill is available, a stovetop grill pan works great—you just have to keep an eye on the heat.
How to Make Bang Bang Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Bang Bang Butter
Start by mixing together the sweet chili sauce, melted butter, sriracha, minced garlic, and fresh lime juice in a bowl. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to taste. I like to taste it at this stage—you want that perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy before slathering it all over your corn.
Step 2: Slather and Grill Your Corn
Shuck your corn and clean off the silk completely. Then generously brush your bang bang butter all over each ear, making sure they’re evenly coated. Fire up a medium-high heat grill or grill pan. Place the corn directly on the grates, turning and basting every few minutes with more sauce. The corn needs about 15 minutes total—look for charred, golden spots and that irresistible aroma to know it’s done.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
Once grilled to perfection, sprinkle fresh cilantro over the hot corn for a bright herbal finish. Serve immediately, and get ready for compliments to roll in. I love how the fresh cilantro contrasts the spicy-sweet sauce — it’s the little touches like this that make the dish pop.
Pro Tips for Making Bang Bang Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe
- Don’t Skip the Basting: It keeps the corn moist and builds layers of delicious flavor, so keep that brush handy!
- Use Medium-High Heat: Too hot and you’ll risk burning the sauce before the corn cooks through; a steady medium-high gives you those perfect grill marks and caramelization.
- Rotate Frequently: Turning your corn every 3-4 minutes ensures all sides get that smoky char without scorching any one spot.
- Freshness Matters: I always choose corn the same day I’m grilling to ensure sweetness and juiciness that store-bought ears just can’t beat.
How to Serve Bang Bang Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe

Garnishes
I usually top this grilled corn with freshly chopped cilantro because it adds such a fresh, green brightness that compliments the rich butter sauce. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little crumbled Cotija cheese or a pinch of smoked paprika for a tasty twist. A squeeze of extra lime on top just before serving really wakes up the flavors.
Side Dishes
This corn pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, seafood, or even a fresh salad. I especially love serving it alongside a light avocado and tomato salad or alongside jalapeño-lime shrimp for a full-on flavor party. It really amps up any barbecue or picnic spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve served these corn cobs standing upright in little mason jars filled with coarse salt—that way, guests can grab them easily and it looks super cute on the table. Wrapping the ends of the cob in corn husks tied with twine also makes for a charming rustic presentation, perfect for summer gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover grilled corn (which can happen if you can’t resist seconds!), wrap each cob tightly in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and refrigerate. I usually enjoy mine within two days as the texture and flavor are best fresh.
Freezing
I’ve tried freezing the cooked corn wrapped well in foil and then stored in freezer bags—though the texture softens slightly after thawing, it still tastes good in soups or chowders. For grilling fanatics, I recommend enjoying this recipe fresh for the best bang bang experience.
Reheating
To reheat, I like warming the corn in a hot skillet or under the broiler for just a few minutes to revive the char and warm the butter sauce again. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the corn a bit soggy, so keep that as a last resort.
FAQs
-
Can I make this Bang Bang Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe without a grill?
Absolutely! If you don’t have access to an outdoor grill, a stovetop grill pan works wonderfully. Just keep the heat at medium-high and rotate the corn regularly to avoid charring unevenly. You can also broil the corn in the oven, but watch closely to prevent burning.
-
How spicy is the Bang Bang sauce really?
The heat level is moderate, thanks to the sriracha, which gives it a lively kick without overwhelming most palates. You can easily adjust the amount of sriracha to make it milder or spicier depending on your preference or guests’ tolerance.
-
Should I soak the corn before grilling?
No need to soak the corn for this recipe—the bang bang butter keeps the corn moist and flavorful, while the grill char adds a perfect smoky crunch. So feel free to skip soaking and get right to slathering and grilling.
-
Can I prepare the Bang Bang butter sauce ahead of time?
Yes! You can mix the sauce up to a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Just bring it to room temperature and give it a quick stir before brushing it onto the corn for grilling.
Final Thoughts
This Bang Bang Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe quickly became a backyard staple in my household and it’s so easy to see why. It hits every note—sweet, spicy, buttery, fresh—and the best part is how quick it comes together. Whether it’s a lazy weekend, a family barbecue, or just because you deserve a treat, I really hope you give this one a try. Once you do, I have a feeling it’ll be your go-to grilled corn recipe too!
Print
Bang Bang Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Flavorful Bang Bang Grilled Corn On The Cob recipe features juicy fresh corn slathered with a spicy sweet butter sauce and perfectly grilled to charred perfection. The combination of sweet chili sauce, sriracha, garlic, and lime juice creates a deliciously bold and tangy flavor that complements the natural sweetness of the corn. It’s an easy and quick stovetop grill recipe perfect for summer cookouts or as a tasty side dish.
Ingredients
Corn
- 6 ears fresh corn, shucked and cleaned
Bang Bang Butter Sauce
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 limes, juiced
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Bang Bang Butter: In a bowl, mix together the sweet chili sauce, melted butter, sriracha sauce, minced garlic, lime juice, and salt and pepper until everything is well combined creating a flavorful bang bang butter sauce.
- Slather the Corn: Generously brush the bang bang butter all over the shucked ears of corn, ensuring they are evenly coated for maximum flavor.
- Grill the Corn: Heat a stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the coated corn on the grill and cook for about 15 minutes, turning frequently and basting with additional bang bang butter to char the corn evenly and infuse it with flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Once grilled to your desired level of char, remove the corn from the pan. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro for a bright, fresh finish. Serve immediately and enjoy this spicy, tangy grilled corn on the cob.
Notes
- No soaking of the corn is required before grilling, which saves preparation time.
- The bang bang butter sauce combines sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors making this corn irresistibly addictive.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha to dial the spiciness up or down according to your preference.
- Using a stovetop grill pan provides easy indoor grilling without the need for an outdoor grill.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ear of corn
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 16 grams
- Sodium: 171 milligrams
- Fat: 7 grams
- Saturated Fat: 4 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 32 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 3 grams
- Cholesterol: 15 milligrams


