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Grilled Zucchini

Grilled zucchini is an easy side dish, and it pairs well with any entree. The vegetables cook on the grill over indirect heat, resulting in seared (never soggy) zucchini every time.

Grilled zucchini in a serving dish.

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

What I love about grilling zucchini using this method is that you can pair them with any protein and cook both at the same time. If your garden is anything like mine in the early summer, you’ve got zucchini coming at you from all directions. I’ve already made zoodles, Amish zucchini bread, and zucchini lasagna!

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Zucchini: Cut the zucchini into ½- inch strips. The thicker slices let you sear the outside while the inside cooks perfectly – no soggy zucchini here!
  • Olive Oil: Impart flavor and prevent the zucchini from sticking to the grill using olive oil.
  • Salt + Pepper: Generously flavor the zucchini strips with kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper.

How to Make Grilled Zucchini

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Slice the zucchini into ½- inch strips and add them to a mixing bowl.

Strips of zucchini in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Add olive oil, salt, and black pepper to the bowl, then stir to combine.

season the strips with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Step 3: Preheat the grill by setting all the burners to high heat for about 10 minutes. 

Turn off the rightmost burner, but maintain an overall grill temperature of 350℉ (176℃). Then, use a wooden grill paddle to clean the grates.

Clean the grill grates before adding the chicken.

Step 4: Using tongs, line the zucchini strips onto the warming and cook them for 15 minutes.

Set the zucchini strips on the grill furthest away from the flame.

Step 5: Flip the zucchini strips, then cook for another 15 minutes.

Flip halfway and cook the other side.

Expert Tips

  • Slice the zucchini strips the same size to ensure they cook at the same rate. 

If you enjoy this recipe, pair them with one of these dinner favorites!

Zucchini cooking on the grill with chicken grilling in the background.

Serving Suggestions

What to do with the Leftovers

  • Refrigerate – Store the leftover zucchini in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freeze – For best results, spread them onto a baking sheet and freeze them separately for an hour. After they solidified, add them to a single freezer-safe bag or container. Grilled zucchini freezes for 2-3 months.
  • Reheat – Warm the leftover zucchini strips on a baking sheet for 5 minutes at 350°F (176°C). If you plan to cook frozen zucchini, defrost them in the fridge overnight.
  • Repurpose – Make a breakfast scramble and mix the leftover zucchini with eggs. You can also add them to a salad, put them in soup, top homemade pizza, or add them to a sandwich.

Frequently Asked Questions

What seasoning should I put on grilled zucchini?

I’m a fan of the basics and season zucchini with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Other pairings we enjoy are feta, lemon, and olive oil. Sometimes we make them with olive oil and parmesan for a nice crisp.

How long to grill zucchini?

I prefer grilling zucchini slowly over low heat for 20- 30 minutes, depending on size; if you’re cooking them directly on the main grill, do so over higher heat (450°F) for 3-5 minutes.

More Grilled Vegetables:

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Grilled zucchini in a serving dish with grilled chicken in the background.

Grilled Zucchini

Tressa Jamil
Grilled zucchini cooks low and slow, making it the perfect side dish; cook them on the warming rack with protein below for a perfect summer meal.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 57 kcal
Ingredients
  
  • 3 medium zucchini, ends removed, and cut lengthwise into ½-inch strips
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground
Instructions
 
  • Slice the zucchini into ½- inch strips and add them to a mixing bowl.
  • Add olive oil, salt, and black pepper to the bowl, then stir to combine.
  • Preheat the grill by setting all the burners to high heat for about 10 minutes. Turn off the rightmost burner, but maintain an overall grill temperature of 350℉ (176℃). Then, use a wooden grill paddle to clean the grates.
  • Using tongs, line the zucchini strips onto the warming and cook them for 15 minutes.
  • Flip the zucchini strips, then cook for another 15 minutes.
Notes
Expert Tips: 
  • Slice the zucchini strips the same size to ensure they cook at the same rate. 
Nutrition Disclosure:
  • The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 57 kcal | Carbohydrates: 5 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 4 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g | Sodium: 593 mg | Potassium: 390 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 4 g | Vitamin A: 297 IU | Vitamin C: 26 mg | Calcium: 26 mg | Iron: 1 mg
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!
Recipe Rating




TW

Tuesday 7th of June 2022

These came out perfect cooked!

Tressa Jamil

Sunday 12th of June 2022

I am happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe.