Quick grilled zucchini slices
These smoky and tender grilled zucchini slices are the perfect summer side dish! They’re easy to make and can be served with a variety of dishes. So fire up the grill and give this recipe a try!
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Grilled zucchini recipe
Hey, it is spring! And what is the best thing to do on a spring or summer day? BBQ of course! I love to cook on the BBQ, especially because I actually don’t have to cook. My husband does. I just give him all the ingredients and he does the best job cooking it all to perfection. No mess in the kitchen, no washing up for me! My favorite way of cooking.
However, just as I was about to take photos of my grilled zucchini for this post it started pouring down with rain so I needed a plan B. I took out my grill plate and grilled those beautiful zucchini slices myself on the stove. And it worked per-fect-ly!! Just look at those stripes! Please don’t tell my husband though 😉
Why you will love this recipe
Here is why you should try the grilled zucchini recipe:
- Quick and easy: With just 15 minutes of cooking time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile: This recipe can be served as a side dish or as a main course with added protein.
- Delicious leftovers: The leftovers of this recipe taste even better the next day and can be used for meal prep.
- Perfect for summer: With its happy, summery flavors and beautiful grill marks, this recipe is perfect for outdoor grilling and summer cookouts.
- Gluten-free: This recipe is gluten-free, making it a great option for those with gluten sensitivities or Celiac disease.
Ingredients for grilled zucchini recipe
- Zucchini. Any type or size of zucchini will work just fine.
- Extra virgin olive oil.
- Garlic. Fresh garlic is the best, but you can try to use garlic powder if you prefer.
- Fresh coriander (cilantro). Yes, we call cilantro coriander here in Australia 😊.
- Sea salt and black pepper to season.
See the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below 👇
How to make grilled zucchini
I have lost track of how many times we have made this easy side dish for ourselves on a weeknight or for our guests coming for a BBQ on a weekend. It has never disappointed. 😉
STEP 1: Slice your zucchini sideways and sprinkle them with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over the slices and gently toss them together to ensure they are evenly coated.
STEP 2: Next, set the fire. Cook the zucchini for 3 minutes on each side over medium-high heat or until grill marks have formed. Once the zucchinis are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl and set aside.
STEP 3: In a small bowl, combine olive oil and minced garlic.
STEP 4: Add the garlic mixture to the grilled zucchini slices and gently toss them together. Be careful not to break the delicate zucchini slices while tossing.
Serve with freshly chopped cilantro leaves. This is such an easy summer side dish.
Expert Tips:
– If your zucchini are on the smaller side, grill them cut-side down only.
– While cooking zucchini on a BBQ imparts a delicious smoky flavor, a grill pan or griddle works equally well.
– Avoid overcooking the zucchini, as they will become mushy.
– Place the zucchini slices on a hot grill. Zucchinis have high water content and if the BBQ hasn’t heated up properly you end up with mushy zucchinis.
Variations
- I know there are some people out there, who do not like cilantro (coriander). If you are one of them, feel free to swap cilantro for fresh chopped parsley.
- You can also grill eggplant, capsicum (bell pepper) or summer squash using this easy recipe. They all taste great.
How to serve grilled zucchini
This is a perfect BBQ side dish. It tastes amazing with the grilled Middle Eastern chicken shawarma or the baked lemon garlic chicken thighs. Other ways to use grilled zucchini slices:
- Zucchini Salad: Toss grilled zucchini slices with peppery arugula, juicy cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and a bright lemon vinaigrette.
- Taco Tuesday Twist: Fill warm tortillas with grilled zucchini, creamy avocado slices, your favorite salsa, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
- Zucchini Bruschetta: Top crusty baguette slices with grilled zucchini, diced tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
- Pesto Pasta Perfection: Toss grilled zucchini slices with your favorite pesto sauce and cooked pasta for a simple yet delicious meal.
❄️ How to Store
Refrigerate:
The flavors of these grilled zucchini slices only improve with time, making them a great choice for meal prepping or as leftovers. You can easily prepare them in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The slices will remain fresh and delicious for up to four days, making them a convenient option for busy weekdays or a quick and easy snack.
Freeze it:
I’ve never tried freezing grilled zucchini, and I suspect they might become mushy and lose their texture after thawing. We’ve never had leftovers from this dish, as it’s simply too delicious to resist eating right away. However, if you do experiment with freezing grilled zucchini, I’d love to hear about your experience.
More Easy Grill Recipes You’ll Love
Have you tried this recipe? If so, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could leave a star rating and share your thoughts in a comment. Your feedback means a lot to me, and it can also help others who are interested in trying it out. Thank you! 🌟👩🍳
Quick Grilled Zucchini Slices
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Ingredients
- 3 medium-size zucchinis sliced lengthways
- salt and black pepper to season
- 2-3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- fresh cilantro leaves to garnish (coriander leaves)
Instructions
- Prepare your BBQ or heat a grill pan on the stove on high.
- Season the zucchini slices with salt and black pepper, and drizzle with 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil. Toss everything gently to combine.
- Grill the zucchini slice for 1-2 minutes on each side, until you can see the brown grill marks. Do not cook them for much longer, otherwise, you will overcook them. Gently put the grilled slices in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix the remaining olive oil with minced garlic and add the mixture to the grilled zucchini slices. Toss gently to combine.
- Place the grilled zucchini slices on a plate and garnish them with fresh coriander leaves. You are done!
Video
Notes
- If your zucchini are on the smaller side, grill them cut-side down only.
- While cooking zucchini on a BBQ imparts a delicious smoky flavor, a grill pan or griddle works equally well.
- Avoid overcooking the zucchini, as they will become mushy.
- Place the zucchini slices on a hot grill. Zucchinis have high water content and if the BBQ hasn’t heated up properly you end up with mushy zucchinis.
We make these all the time, easy, healthy and yummy. My latest addition is to drizzle it with garlic yogurt. Kids absolutely love it!
Thank you for the lovely comment! Garlic yogurt sounds like a great addition, I must try it too.
Thank you, Elena! I like your take on healthy dishes. ?
Thank you, Sky!