Can I use frozen corn for this recipe?

While fresh corn delivers the best texture and flavor, you can use thawed frozen corn on the cob in a pinch. The cooking time may need to be reduced by about 5 minutes, so keep a close eye on it.

Is there a way to make this dairy-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the butter in your cowboy butter recipe with plant-based butter or even a good-quality olive oil infused with the same herbs and spices. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.

Can I prepare the cowboy butter in advance?

Yes, and I highly recommend it! Cowboy butter can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Simply remelt it before using. In fact, the flavors often develop and intensify when it sits for a day or two.

Why cut the corn into sections instead of cooking whole ears?

Cutting the corn into sections allows for more surface area to be coated with the flavorful butter. It also makes the corn easier to handle and serve, especially for children or at gatherings where people are eating while standing.

Cowboy Butter Roasted Corn Recipe

Name: Cowboy Butter Roasted Corn Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Main Ingredients; 4 ears corn, husked and carefully cut into 1 ½-inch sections; 1 recipe cowboy butter, melted; parsley, chopped, for garnish

This Cowboy Butter Roasted Corn is a game-changer for your dinner table! The sweet corn gets transformed with a savory, herb-infused butter that caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating the perfect balance of flavors. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just want to elevate your weeknight dinner, this 45-minute side dish delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Foolproof Method: Even if you’re new to cooking, this recipe is nearly impossible to mess up. The foil packet does most of the work for you!
Maximum Flavor, Minimal Effort: The cowboy butter does all the heavy lifting flavor-wise, infusing the corn with rich, savory goodness while you do something else entirely.
Versatile Cooking Methods: Whether you prefer oven roasting, air frying, grilling, or even microwaving, this recipe adapts beautifully to your preferred cooking method.
Impressive Presentation: Those golden-brown, butter-glistening corn sections look absolutely stunning on a serving plate—your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Corn: Fresh ears of corn, husked and cut into manageable sections. The natural sweetness of corn creates the perfect canvas for our flavor-packed butter.
Cowboy Butter: This is the star of the show! A mixture of butter, herbs, and spices that elevates plain corn to extraordinary heights. Make a batch using your favorite cowboy butter recipe—it’s worth every minute.
Parsley: Fresh chopped parsley adds a bright, fresh finish that cuts through the richness of the butter and adds beautiful color contrast.
Aluminum Foil: While not an ingredient per se, good-quality foil is essential for creating the perfect steaming environment for your corn.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Regional Inspired Flavors

Try adding a tablespoon of tajin or chili powder to your cowboy butter for a Mexican street corn-inspired version.

Sweet and Spicy

Add a touch of honey and cayenne pepper to your cowboy butter for a sweet heat variation that’s absolutely addictive.

Cheesy Corn

After broiling, sprinkle freshly grated parmesan or crumbled cotija cheese over the hot corn before serving.

Herb Garden Explosion

Double down on fresh herbs by adding basil, chives, and thyme to both your cowboy butter and as a garnish.

How to Make Cowboy Butter Roasted Corn

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Lay out a large sheet of aluminum foil on a baking sheet, making sure you have enough overhang to create a sealed packet later.

Step 2: Prepare the Corn

Place your corn sections on the foil-lined baking sheet. Using a pastry brush, generously coat each piece of corn with melted cowboy butter. Take your time here—you want every nook and cranny covered in that delicious butter.

Step 3: Create Your Foil Packet

Carefully fold the aluminum foil over your buttered corn, creating a sealed packet. Make sure there are no openings where steam could escape.

Step 4: Roast to Perfection

Slide your corn packet into the preheated oven and let it roast for 25-30 minutes. The corn is essentially steaming in its own flavorful butter during this time.

Step 5: Broil for Color

Here’s where the magic happens! Carefully open the foil packet (watch out for hot steam!) and set your oven to broil. Return the opened packet to the oven and broil for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through, until your corn develops those gorgeous golden-brown spots.

Step 6: Final Butter Bath and Garnish

Remove your beautifully caramelized corn from the oven and brush with the remaining cowboy butter. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve while hot.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Cut with Care: When cutting corn into sections, place the ear on a stable cutting board and use a sharp knife with a gentle sawing motion to avoid kernels flying everywhere.
Butter Temperature: If your cowboy butter starts to solidify while you’re working, simply pop it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to remelt.
Foil Packet Seal: Make sure your foil packet is well-sealed to trap steam, but leave a little room inside for that steam to circulate around the corn.
Broiling Vigilance: Every broiler is different, so watch your corn closely during the broiling stage to catch it at the perfect level of caramelization without burning.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

This corn is the ultimate sidekick to grilled meats, especially steak, burger, or barbecue chicken. The rich butter complements smoky, charred flavors beautifully.

Summer Spread

Create a stunning summer platter with this corn as the centerpiece, surrounded by sliced tomatoes, grilled vegetables, and a fresh herb salad.

Backyard BBQ

Serve alongside potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans for a classic backyard barbecue that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow end up with leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The butter will solidify when cold, but that’s completely normal.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing this corn after cooking, as the texture will suffer. However, you can freeze corn sections before cooking—just thaw completely before proceeding with the recipe.

Reheating

The best way to reheat this corn is in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. You can also microwave it for a minute or two, though you’ll lose some of the crispy exterior.

FAQs

Can I use frozen corn for this recipe?

While fresh corn delivers the best texture and flavor, you can use thawed frozen corn on the cob in a pinch. The cooking time may need to be reduced by about 5 minutes, so keep a close eye on it.
Is there a way to make this dairy-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the butter in your cowboy butter recipe with plant-based butter or even a good-quality olive oil infused with the same herbs and spices. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I prepare the cowboy butter in advance?

Yes, and I highly recommend it! Cowboy butter can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Simply remelt it before using. In fact, the flavors often develop and intensify when it sits for a day or two.
Why cut the corn into sections instead of cooking whole ears?

Cutting the corn into sections allows for more surface area to be coated with the flavorful butter. It also makes the corn easier to handle and serve, especially for children or at gatherings where people are eating while standing.

Final Thoughts

This Cowboy Butter Roasted Corn transforms a simple vegetable into something truly extraordinary. The combination of sweet corn and savory, herb-infused butter creates a side dish that might just outshine your main course! Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this recipe delivers impressive results every time. So grab some fresh corn next time you’re at the market, whip up some cowboy butter, and prepare to amaze your taste buds!