This juicy
Grilled Zucchini Recipe is the ultimate side dish in summer when Zucchini are ripe and abundant. It’s a hit at all of our summer parties and our kids love it too (bonus!).
Grilling is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook zucchini, and those charred edges add tons of flavor. It’s time to fire up the barbecue!
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Best Grilled Zucchini RecipeI love this time of year when we get fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs from the garden. In the summer, when my mom’s garden blesses us with so many zucchini, I serve this grilled zucchini recipe bi-weekly.
Cooking zucchini on the grill is so easy, and the slices retain their natural meaty juiciness. A toss of spices and a quick lemon juice drizzle make these the tastiest grilled zucchini. And if you need another reason to love this recipe, you can also use the grilled zucchini slices to make Zucchini Lasagna!
Give a bite of this grilled zucchini recipe to any squash-naysayer, and I can promise they’ll change their tune. Challenge extended!
IngredientsYou’ll only need a few spices to make the juiciest zucchini on the grill, but be sure not to skip the lemon juice because it gives the recipe that extra fresh zing!
Zucchini – small or medium zucchini, you can use green zucchini or yellow squashOlive oil – use extra virgin olive oil for another layer of flavor or any cooking oil will workSpices – sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powderLemon – a few wedges to squeeze over the grilled zucchini and more for plating and servingFresh Parsley – optional, for garnish VariationsThis grilled zucchini recipe is so versatile. You can swap the zucchini with any type of squash (yellow squash, summer squash, pattypan squash, etc.), or change out the spices to fit your taste. When grilling steaks or chicken, I love using the same spice rub on the veggies.
How to Buy Zucchini for GrillingWhile it’s tempting to grow or buy the largest, most impressive squash, pick small or medium-sized zucchini for grilling since they have fewer seeds and are more tender than larger zucchini. The skin should be a nice green color without any soft spots or wrinkles.
How to Make Grilled ZucchiniIt takes only a few minutes on the grill to get the perfect tender-crisp texture. Be sure not to overcook the zucchini so it doesn’t get mushy.
Slice the Zucchini – Preheat the grill to medium heat. Slice the zucchini longways into 1/2” strips. You can use a mandolin and a protective glove to make the job quicker, or a knife works just fine.Season the Squash – drizzle olive oil over the slices of zucchini and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss the squash to evenly distribute the spices on all sides.Grill – Once preheated, lay each slice of zucchini for grilling on the hot grates. Cover and cook for 2 minutes, and then flip and cover to grill for 2 minutes on the other side. When cooked, the zucchini should be tender-crisp. Be sure to remove the slices before they become mushy.Drizzle with Lemon Juice – On a serving dish, squeeze fresh lemon on the grilled zucchini slices and sprinkle parsley on top as garnish. Pro Tip: Grilled Zucchini is finished when it’s “tender-crisp” meaning it’s soft, but still has a crunch. The slices should still have a vibrant green color while being soft to the touch.
Can I Cook This on an Indoor Grill Pan?Absolutely. This recipe for grilled zucchini tastes great using a grill pan or George Forman Griddle. Be sure to watch for doneness, since the cooking time may vary.
How to Serve Grilled ZucchiniThis is really the universal grilled side dish. Grilled zucchini pairs well with meat, fish, salads, pasta—anything! Here are some of our favorite entrees to serve alongside.
- Hamburgers
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp
- Grilled Pork Tenderloin
- Chimichurri Chicken
- Grilled Salmon with Garlic Lime Butter
- Pan-Seared Steak
- Tuscan Shrimp Pasta
Make-AheadIf we have any grilled zucchini left over, we love to chop it up in an Egg Frittata or in an Omelette for breakfast or in our Chicken Stir Fry for dinner.
To Refrigerate: once cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 3 daysTo Reheat: heat in a skillet until warm or in the microwave for a few seconds Grilled Zucchini is the absolute best veggie side dish since the slices stay moist and flavorful with the most satisfying crunch. This whole recipe takes under 10 minutes from beginning to end, so it’s the perfect side for your summer menu.
More Zucchini RecipesWhen zucchini is in season, we have a long list of favorite recipes we absolutely love. Try this grilled zucchini recipe, and then check out these other delicious zucchini recipes.
- Zucchini Muffins
- Pasta Primavera
- Zucchini Lasagna
- Fried Zucchini Crisps
- Zucchini Bread
- Zucchini Brownies
- Zucchini Fritters
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