Try grilled zucchini as an easy and delicious side! Perfectly done in ten minutes and you won’t believe how good it is.
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Try grilled zucchini as an easy and delicious side! Perfectly done in ten minutes and you won’t believe how good it is.
How long it takes: 15 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: sharp knife, grill
Servings: 4
Long planks of seasoned zucchini, grilled to perfection, is about the easiest thing in the world to make. I just love how plain ordinary zucchini squash turns into this buttery tasting delight. And did I mention that it’s so easy? Yes, I guess I may have.
How To Grill Zucchini
Grilling zucchini is so easy that you won’t even need a recipe the next time you make it! Use medium sized zucchini, sliced lengthwise. Will crosswise slices work? Definitely, but it means a lot more flipping on the grill.
Preheat your grill, brush both sides of the zucchini planks with olive oil, sprinkle with seasonings, and grill.
That’s it!
I like to grill the zucchini slices about five minutes per side, so they get tender with nice grill marks, but aren’t falling apart.
Grilling Tip
If you’re grilling steak or chicken, wait until it’s almost done before you put the zucchini on. The zucchini is best served right off the grill.
How to Cut Zucchini To Grill
It sort of depends on the size of your zucchini and how you like it. For this recipe, thin horizontal slices work best (from stem to end). If your zucchini are quite small, just cut them in half horizontally. Circles of zucchini are fine, too, but there will be more of them to flip. I would do circles or chunks in a grill basket because it’s much easier.
More Ways To Enjoy Zucchini
Add Cheese: Try pesto and cheese stuffed zucchini, or my famous zucchini casserole. Have you tried “zoodles” yet?
Make Salad: You’ll love zucchini noodle salad with beans, feta, and lemon.
Bread: Everyone loves homemade zucchini bread!
Air fryer zucchini: Lately I’ve been using my air fryer to make irresistibly crispy zucchini chips. Air fryer zucchini fries with chili ranch are breaded planks of zucchini that are pretty irresistible, too.
Make It Your Own
This recipe for grilled zucchini is so basic, it’s just crying out for your special flourishes. Here’s a few ideas:
- Try different seasonings: dried red pepper flakes, garlic, fresh or dried herbs (basil, oregano, parsley, chives, dill, cilantro, thyme).
- Flavor enhancements: Drizzle the grilled slices with balsamic vinegar, or even better, a balsamic reduction. Another idea is to add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lemon zest. Garnish with a sprinkle of crunchy savory granola, Parmesan cheese, more fresh herbs, or capers.
- Substitute any tender-skinned summer squash. Use yellow summer squash or another squash variety instead of zucchini, or combine two or more. I love grilled vegetable salad with zucchini, summer squash, mushrooms and onions.
- Don’t want to heat up the grill? You can use a grill pan on the stove with good results or make these lovely sautéed summer squash and zucchini ribbons in a skillet. We also love simple sautéed zucchini.
- Grilled zucchini packets. For easy cleanup, try grilling zucchini in foil packets. Simply place the zucchini on double sheets of foil, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with seasonings, and seal the packets. Grill for 15 minutes or until desired tenderness. You won’t get the grill marks or quite the same flavor, but it’s another way to do it.
Grilled zucchini is best eaten right away. If you do have leftovers, wrap securely and refrigerate for up to two days. Reheat gently in the microwave. The texture will be somewhat softer but the taste is still excellent.
Have some grilled zucchini left over? Dice it up along with a couple of tomatoes. Cook up your favorite pasta, reserving a half cup of cooking water before draining. Add the zucchini and tomatoes to the pot along with a splash of olive oil and a pinch of red pepper flakes, stirring until they are heated. Add the pasta back to the pan, along with shredded Parmesan cheese, and a little of the cooking water to make it a bit saucy. Serve as a delicious side dish.
More Ideas For The Grill
Fired up about grilling? Grilling is such a fun and easy way to cook! Try:
- Seasoned grilled potatoes
- Grilled chicken shawarma drumsticks
- Grilled portobella mushrooms
- Shrimp and pineapple kabobs
- Grilled pork kabobs with apples
- Grilled salmon
- Foil wrapped grilled salmon
- Marinated chicken — 8 exciting marinades to try!
- Grilled pesto pizza — with 5 ingredients
Grilled Zucchini
Ingredients
- 3 medium sized zucchini
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 ½ teaspoons fresh oregano)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium heat (350-400ºF). Slice zucchini from top to bottom into quarter inch slices, about 3 to 4 slices, depending on size of zucchini. .
- Brush with olive oil on both sides and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and oregano.1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- Grill for 5 minutes, flip, and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes or until desired tenderness is achieved. Best served immediately.
Notes
- Substitutions: Use any tender-skinned summer squash, such as yellow summer squash instead of zucchini, or combine a couple of varieties.
- Stovetop Method: You can use a grill pan on the stove with good results or make easy sautéed zucchini.
- Storage: Grilled zucchini is best eaten right away. Wrap leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two days. Reheat gently in the microwave. The texture will be somewhat softer but the taste is still excellent.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
I don’t have a grill, but I have lightly sauteed with similar results.
Yes! Zucchini is good in so many different ways.