A simple and addictive summer side, you won’t believe how delicious fresh pesto tastes when brushed on sweet and juicy corn on the cob.
Although it goes without saying, I think it bears repeating: when you are cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients there is very little effort required to produce maximum flavor. My easy and delicious Corn on the Cob with Basil Pesto is the perfect example of an almost embarrassingly simple side dish that is so flavorful you will be making it again and again.
Whether you’re growing basil in your backyard or picked up a large bunch at your local farmers market, pesto season is in full force.
Every summer, I like to make a huge batch and freeze it in one-ounce portions using this OXO Tot Baby Food Freezer Tray. You can use any ice cube tray you have on hand but this is my favorite one to use. In addition to baby food, it’s also ideal for freezing leftover coffee to use in iced coffee.
When boiling corn on the cob, it’s best to bring a pot of water and boil the corn for no more than 3 minutes. It’s the best way to ensure maximum flavor and nutrients. Grilled corn would also work well and you can grill the corn first or brush it with pesto before placing it on the grill.
Easy, peasy.
No forks required.
Corn on the Cob with Lemon Basil Pesto
Ingredients
- 4 ears sweet corn husks removed
- 1/4 cup basil pesto homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a roaring boil and add corn. Cook for 3 minutes then set corn on a platter.
- Brush corn liberally with basil pesto and serve.
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste
July 23, 2015 at 1:43 pmOh this is heavenly! Love that contrast of colors between the gorgeous yellow corn kernels and the bright green pesto. This is summer on a plate!
Liz DellaCroce
July 26, 2015 at 5:12 pmThank you so much Kelly!!
Joanne
July 29, 2014 at 12:29 pmI basically spend my whole summer wanting to eat corn and drink pesto from a bowl with a straw. So LOVING THIS.
Liz DellaCroce
July 29, 2014 at 2:44 pmhahah SAME!!
Thalia @ butter and brioche
July 27, 2014 at 1:06 amanother awesome recipe liz. i love returning to your site as i always pick up so much inspiration. next time i make corn on the cob, definitely adding pesto. love it!
Liz DellaCroce
July 27, 2014 at 10:21 amYou are so sweet- thank you so much Thalia!!
Gaby
July 26, 2014 at 10:51 pmMust have this soon!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
July 26, 2014 at 3:54 pmI am feeling boring. I had corn last night with plain ol’ salt and butter. I enjoyed it, but I am sure I would enjoy this more. If nothing else, the color of the pesto with the corn—-gorgeous!
Liz DellaCroce
July 27, 2014 at 10:15 amWell nothing beats butter and salt thats for sure!
Deena kakaya
July 25, 2014 at 2:32 pmFunnily enough I have never eaten corn on the cob with pesto
Like this, but what a fabulous and colourful
Idea! Nice to e-meet you. X
Liz DellaCroce
July 27, 2014 at 10:20 amI hope you try it one day Deena! Perfect for summer!
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog
July 25, 2014 at 2:28 pmWOW-LIZ! These pictures look so beautiful, and corn on the cob with lemon basil pesto sounds absolutely fantastic! I actually have some lemon basil and regular basil going crazy in my little garden right now and am thinking I need to make some pesto asap – I tried your recipe for it last year and it was spot on!!
Liz DellaCroce
July 27, 2014 at 10:21 amYou’re so sweet!! I’m so glad you liked my pesto recipe!!! I hope you try it on corn – so dang good!
sue/the view from great island
July 25, 2014 at 10:33 amI couldn’t pin this fabulous corn fast enough… sharing too!
Liz DellaCroce
July 27, 2014 at 10:18 amhaha Thank you!! Enjoy!!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
July 25, 2014 at 10:03 amWhat a great use for pesto! Can’t wait to try this!
Liz DellaCroce
July 27, 2014 at 10:20 amI hope you try it Jessica!!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm
July 25, 2014 at 9:59 amOMG I LOVE lemon basil pesto!!! On grilled corn? DIVINE!
Liz DellaCroce
July 27, 2014 at 10:20 amIt was so good Sophia!
Nikki @Seeded at the Table
July 24, 2014 at 10:14 pmI had to slow down and re-read the paragraph about the OXO freezer tray. I originally read that you were freezing pesto to put in your iced coffee later! WHAT?! haha!!!
The corn is BEAUTIFUL, Liz! I love me some pesto and corn on the cob, so the two together is a match made in heaven. xoxo
Liz DellaCroce
July 27, 2014 at 10:20 amhahaha now that would be some crazy coffee!!!! Thank you so much friend!
Julia
July 24, 2014 at 8:15 pmI love pesto! I never thought to spread it on corn–love this idea!
Liz DellaCroce
July 27, 2014 at 10:19 amSo easy yet so so good!
Christine at Cook the Story
July 24, 2014 at 9:09 amAwesome use for that food tray, and wow, does that pesto look good!
Liz DellaCroce
July 24, 2014 at 4:50 pmThank you so much!! :)
Mariana @The Candid Kitchen
July 24, 2014 at 9:00 amNever thought of adding anything other than butter to my beloved corn on the cob, but this pesto dip looks so inviting!
Liz DellaCroce
July 24, 2014 at 4:50 pmIt’s worth it!!
Maryea {happy healthy mama}
July 24, 2014 at 7:37 am*usually, not using.
Maryea {happy healthy mama}
July 24, 2014 at 7:20 amI’m using a corn on the cob purist, preferring only butter+salt, but I have to admit, you have me very tempted to branch out and try it with pesto! Pesto is pretty magic and makes everything taste better. :)
Liz DellaCroce
July 24, 2014 at 4:50 pmI am normally a purist too ALTHOUGH pesto with fresh basil is pretty pure too. ;)
Vida Annunciation
July 15, 2015 at 12:37 pmI would like to know how to prepare the basil pesto
Liz DellaCroce
July 15, 2015 at 3:36 pmDo you see the recipe?
Heather Hickerson
August 9, 2015 at 2:23 pmHmmmm, I don’t see the pesto recipe either, nor a link to it. But I sure would like to try it on corn! It looks delicious!