Sweet Corn & Bacon Skewers (South Dakota Style) | Arteflame

Introduction

Imagine the scent of hickory smoke mingling with the sweetness of charred corn on a warm summer evening. These South Dakota Sweet Corn and Bacon Skewers are a glorious celebration of texture—crispy, juicy, and smoky all at once. Every bite reminds me of heartland cookouts, making this dish perfect for backyard gatherings where you want to impress without stress.

Why This Recipe is a Keeper

The magic lies in the balance. You get the salty punch of thick-cut bacon harmonizing with the natural sugars of fresh corn. Plus, cooking this on the solid steel cooktop of the Arteflame is a game-changer; you get that perfect sear without the dangerous grease flare-ups common on traditional grates. It’s an effortless crowd-pleaser that looks as good as it tastes.

Kitchen Wisdom

• Bacon Selection: Always opt for thick-cut bacon. Thin strips tend to burn or disintegrate before the corn is tender.
• Heat Management: Utilize the Arteflame’s heat zones. If the veggies brown too fast, slide the skewers to the cooler outer edge to let the bacon finish rendering slowly.

Make It Your Own

If you aren't a fan of red meat, swap the bacon for wheels of smoked sausage or Andouille. For a vegetarian twist, replace the bacon with zucchini ribbons brushed with smoked paprika oil to keep that savory depth.

Ingredients

• 4 ears of fresh sweet corn, husked and cleaned
• 1 lb thick-cut bacon strips
• 2 large red bell peppers
• 1 large red onion
• 1/2 cup olive oil (or melted butter)
• 2 tbsp BBQ rub (your favorite sweet and smoky blend)
• Bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes) or stainless steel skewers

Instructions

Step 1: Fire Up the Arteflame

1. Start your Arteflame grill by building a fire in the center using charcoal or wood. Allow it to burn down until you have a solid bed of coals and the cooktop reaches cooking temperature.
2. Aim for a medium-high heat zone on the flat cooktop (usually the middle ring area) to ensure the bacon cooks through without burning the vegetables.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

1. Cut the ears of corn into 1.5 to 2-inch thick wheels. You should get 3-4 wheels per ear.
2. Chop the red bell peppers and red onion into large, 1.5-inch chunks, roughly the same width as the corn wheels to ensure even grilling.
3. Cut the bacon strips in half (or into thirds, depending on length) so they are manageable for threading.

Step 3: Assemble the Skewers

1. Thread the ingredients onto the soaked bamboo skewers in an alternating pattern. A popular sequence is: Corn wheel, folded piece of bacon, red pepper, onion, folded bacon, and repeat.
2. Ensure the bacon is folded loosely so the heat can penetrate and render the fat. Pack the ingredients snugly but not too tight.

Step 4: Season and Grill

1. Brush the assembled skewers generously with olive oil or melted butter.
2. Sprinkle your BBQ rub over all sides of the skewers.
3. Place the skewers directly on the flat steel cooktop of the Arteflame.
4. Grill for 10–15 minutes, rotating every few minutes using tongs. You want the bacon to be crispy and the corn to have a nice golden-brown char.
5. Move skewers to the outer, cooler edge if the veggies are darkening too fast before the bacon is done.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

1. Once the bacon is fully cooked and the corn is tender, remove the skewers from the grill.
2. Let them rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the juices to settle before serving warm.

Tips

Grilling skewers containing raw bacon and vegetables requires a bit of strategy to ensure everything finishes cooking at the same time. Since you are using an Arteflame, leverage the different heat zones. If the corn is charring quickly but the bacon looks flabby, slide the skewers toward the outer edge of the cooktop where the temperature is lower; this allows the bacon to render slowly without burning the sugars in the corn. Always use thick-cut bacon for this recipe; thin bacon tends to burn or fall apart during the threading process. If you are using bamboo skewers, do not skip the soaking step—dry wood on a hot grill will burn through, causing your masterpiece to fall apart. Finally, brush a little extra bacon grease from the cooktop onto the corn right before serving for an extra punch of savory flavor.

Variations

While the classic South Dakota recipe focuses on the purity of corn and bacon, you can easily customize these skewers to match your palate. Here are a few delicious ways to mix it up:

• The Spicy Kick: Add chunks of fresh jalapeño or serrano peppers between the bacon and corn for heat.
• Maple Glazed: Brush the skewers with real maple syrup during the last 2 minutes of grilling for a candied bacon effect.
• Tex-Mex Style: Season with chili powder and lime zest, and finish with a crumbling of Cotija cheese and cilantro.
• Herb Butter Finish: Baste with garlic and rosemary butter right as they come off the grill.
• Sausage Swap: Replace the bacon with slices of smoked sausage or Andouille for a heartier meal.

Best pairings

These sweet corn and bacon skewers are robust enough to stand on their own as a heavy appetizer, but they truly shine as a side dish for a full BBQ spread. The sweetness of the corn pairs magnificently with the rich, umami flavors of a grilled Ribeye or Tomahawk steak seared on the center grate of the Arteflame. They also complement pork chops or BBQ ribs, as the bacon echoes the pork notes in the main dish. For a drink pairing, the saltiness of the bacon and the char from the grill call for a crisp, cold Lager or a Pilsner to cleanse the palate. If you prefer wine, a buttery Chardonnay stands up well to the corn, or a light Zinfandel can handle the BBQ rub and bacon spices.

Conclusion

The South Dakota Sweet Corn and Bacon Skewer is more than just a recipe; it is a tribute to simple, high-quality ingredients cooked with fire. Using the Arteflame grill makes this dish incredibly easy to execute, removing the stress of flare-ups and allowing you to focus on achieving that perfect Maillard reaction on the bacon and vegetables. The result is a smoky, salty, sweet, and crunchy bite that captures the essence of outdoor cooking. Whether you serve them as a starter or a side, these skewers are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser that will have your guests asking for seconds. Fire up the grill and enjoy the taste of the heartland!