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 Recipe
I 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!
Ingredients
You’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 squash
- Olive oil – use extra virgin olive oil for another layer of flavor or any cooking oil will work
- Spices – sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder
- Lemon – a few wedges to squeeze over the grilled zucchini and more for plating and serving
- Fresh Parsley – optional, for garnish
Variations
This 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 Grilling
While 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 Zucchini
It 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 Zucchini
This 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-Ahead
If 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 days
- To 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 Recipes
When 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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Grilled Zucchini Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 small/medium zucchini
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, or more added to taste
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper or to taste
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 1 Tbsp Parsley, finely chopped for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium heat. Using a knife, cut off the stem ends of the zucchini then slice lengthwise into 1/2” thick strips. I cut my smaller zucchini into three strips while medium zucchini were cut into 4 strips. Keep an even thickness for even cooking times.
- Set zucchini on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil then sprinkle on the seasonings. Toss the zucchini together with your hands to even coat in oil and seasonings.
- Set zucchini onto the preheated grill grates, cover, and grill for 2 minutes or until grill marks form. Flip the zucchini over and grill another 2 to 3 minutes, covered, or until you reach your desired doneness. The zucchini should be crisp-tender. Avoid overcooking or they can get mushy.
- Set zucchini on a serving splatter as it comes off the grill and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top. Serve with garnished parsley if desired and with additional lemon wedges on the side for those who love a little extra pop of fresh lemon flavor.
Nutrition Per Serving
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Good Things
Since yesterday was Father’s Day, I wanted to share this small, but perfect example of Vadim being an amazing and fun Dad. I’m so thankful for him and how selflessly he loves his family. To all the Dads and father figures, I’ll leave you with this quote, “To the world you are a Dad, but to your family, you are the world” – unknown. Thank you for all you do ❤️
if you have no grill, how would you do this indoors
Hi Diane! It would be best to use a grill pan on the stove, the one with ridges.
We don’t have a grill anymore but will try on the blackstone. Hope it’s not too watery without grates. Love your recipes!