The best way to butter corn on the cob—no knife, no fuss

A simple trick that’s fun and totally effective.

Key Takeaways

• Use a slice of buttered bread to evenly coat corn while keeping your hands clean.
• Try garlic bread or compound butter for extra flavor and a fun twist on your corn.
• This method is perfect for casual meals, outdoor gatherings, or upscale dinner parties.

Sure, you could butter corn the old-fashioned way—by swiping with a stick of butter or using a butter knife—but why not liven up your dinner by doing something a little more outside the box?

There’s nothing quite like biting into a juicy ear of corn, whether it’s straight off the grill, boiled to perfection, or roasted in the oven. But no matter how deliciously sweet that corn is, butter just makes it better. The only problem? Buttering corn can be messier than you’d like.

Related: 30 Corn Side Dish Recipes To Enjoy All Year Long

Why Buttering Corn Can Be Messy

Corn on the cob is a beloved summer side dish, but buttering it at the table can turn into a messy juggling act. The cob slips out of your hands, the butter won’t go on evenly, and you’re left with greasy fingers, and maybe even a greasy tablecloth.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or just trying to get dinner on the table without a trail of butter prints, we’ve found a better way.

The Trick: Use Buttered Bread

Ready for a genius hack? Rub your cob with a slice of buttered bread. Yes, you read that right. You’re most likely going to be enjoying some bread or rolls at the table—why not use one to coat your butter in one or two quick swipes?

The bread acts like a buttery mitt, distributing butter evenly over the surface of the corn while keeping your hands clean in the process. It’s quick, efficient, and that buttered bread might even soak up a little sweet corn flavor in the process.

Customize Your Butter Vehicle

While grabbing a slice of toast might work for a casual weeknight meal, for more sophisticated gatherings, you can up the ante with a slice of rustic sourdough, buttery brioche, or even cornbread. For added flavor, use a piece of garlic bread (who wouldn’t love a little garlic flavor on their corn while they’re at it?).

Swap plain butter for compound butter loaded with herbs, chili flakes, garlic, lemon zest, or grated cheese to upgrade your corn and your bread in one move.

Get the Recipe: Cowboy Butter

When To Use This Trick

This buttered bread method is perfect for outdoor gatherings, picnics, or camping trips where utensils aren’t as readily available, or family-style meals where everyone is helping themselves. If you’re hosting a more upscale dinner party, a hearty, rustic loaf and herbed butter can be a real conversation-starter.

Related: 44 Easy But Impressive Dinner Party Recipes

Other Outside-The-Box Ways To Butter Corn

Want more creative ways to butter your corn? Here are a few tried-and-true favorites:

• Pastry brush: Brush softened butter over warm corn using a pastry brush.
• Wax paper: Smear butter onto a piece of wax or parchment paper and use to rub onto the corn.
• Butter bath: Swirl cooked cobs in a shallow pan or baking dish with a thin layer of melted butter for an even coating.
• Bag toss: Pop the warm cobs in a large zip-top bag with melted butter and toss to coat.
• Butter dip: Offer melted butter at the table for dipping the cobs.
• Butter stick: Still a classic, just use the end of a stick of butter to coat your cobs before enjoying.

Whether you’re aiming for neatness or just looking to change up your routine, buttered bread might just become your new favorite way to butter corn.

Related: Corn Ribs Are The New Corn-On-The-Cob

Read the original article on Southern Living