This Grilled Zucchini Recipe is garlicky, lightly charred summer side dish that requires 5 simple ingredients. Great way to use up garden fresh zucchini!

Other simple ways to cook zucchini are these baked parmesan zucchini and sauteed zucchini.

Grilled zucchini in a baking dish.

If anyone comes to visit during summer, then chances are that they’ve tried this grilled zucchini recipe.

It’s one of my family’s signature grilled dishes served alongside grilled chicken breast with pita bread or grilled chicken burger, and fresh side salad like creamy cucumber tomato salad.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple: You just need 5 ingredients, and that’s including oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Tasty: The garlic, salt and pepper seasoning perfectly enhances the flavor of the squash without taking over.
  • Quick: This grilled zucchini recipe requires just minutes of prep and cook time!
  • Versatile: This recipe works for both zucchini and summer squash, from baby zucchini to giant garden zucchini cut in slices.

    Ingredients for Grilled Zucchini

    Zucchini, garlic, oil, salt and pepper.
    • Zucchini: You can use any size and any color zucchini. It is all about slicing it into correct size. I am using 7 small-medium zucchini about 5 inches long, 3 pounds total.
    • Garlic: If you don’t have garlic cloves, you could use garlic powder instead. Although fresh garlic is the best.
    • Oil: Any mild tasting high-heat oil will work well. I often use avocado oil. Grapeseed oil or light olive oil should also work.
    • Salt and pepper: To season.

    How to Grill Zucchini

    Raw zucchini slices drizzled with oil and seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic.
    • The prep: Rinse and dry zucchini with a towel to remove excess water. If using small-medium zucchini, cut them in half lengthwise. If they’re larger, you can quarter them lengthwise or cut into 2 inch thick rounds.
    • Prepare the seasoning: In a small bowl, whisk together oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
    • Season the zucchini: Place zucchini in a deep baking dish with a lid, pour the mixture over, close the lid and give it a good shake until all pieces are evenly coated. Or just combine with tongs or hands, or apply with a brush.
    Three zucchini slices on the grill.
    • Grill the zucchini: Grill zucchini covered for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook uncovered for another 2-3 minutes.

    Recipe Tip

    Grilled zucchini is ready when tender to the touch with nice grill marks. If you want it to be a little firm, remove from the heat before it becomes tender, as it will continue to cook a little from the residual heat.

    More Tips for Best Results

    • Dry the zucchini: You don’t have to dry it completely but it also shouldn’t be drenched in water as oil and water do not combine well. Just give it a quick pat dry.
    • The best way to slice zucchini: Aside from making sure the pieces are thick enough, about 1/3 to 1/2-inch thickness, the actual way you slice the zucchini is up to you. For these small-medium zucchinis, I sliced them in half. For larger zucchini, you could cut zucchini spears, lengthwise slices, or rounds.
    • To avoid soggy zucchini: #1 reason for soggy zucchini is overcooking it. Unlike firmer veggies, zucchini has high water content. It means that if you overcook it, water starts to seep out. Cut it into larger pieces because they are hard to overcook.
    • To make ahead: You can cover the zucchini in the dressing and refrigerate covered for up to 24 hours before grilling.

    Serving Ideas

    With simple seasonings like garlic, salt, and pepper, grilled zucchini is delicious and literally goes with everything! Or at least the garlic-loving Ukrainian in me certainly thinks so.

    Try with grilled chicken burgers or spinach feta turkey burgers. Serve alongside simple mains like chicken crust pizza, cottage cheese mac and cheese or hot honey salmon bites.

    How to Store

    Store: Once cooked, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Don’t freeze. Zucchini doesn’t thaw well, it becomes soggy.

    More Zucchini Recipes to Try

    You can also browse our collection of 45 healthy zucchini recipes for more inspiration!

    Closeup of grilled zucchini slice.
    Grilled zucchini slices in a baking dish.
    5 from 2 votes

    Grilled Zucchini Recipe

    This Grilled Zucchini Recipe is garlicky, lightly charred summer side dish that requires 5 simple ingredients. Great way to use up garden-fresh zucchini!
    Prep: 4 minutes
    Cook: 8 minutes
    Total: 12 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings

    Video

    Ingredients 

    • 3 pounds small-medium zucchini, cut in halves lengthwise
    • 3 small garlic cloves, grated
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
    • 3/4 teaspoon salt
    • Ground black pepper, to taste

    Instructions 

    • In a small bowl, whisk together oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
    • Add zucchini to a large bowl or baking dish with a lid and pour dressing on top. Close the lid and shake gently until evenly coated. You can also mix by hands or brush dressing onto each zucchini.
    • Preheat grill on medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray. Place zucchini in a single layer, close the lid and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip, cover and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Zucchini should be tender to the touch with nice grill marks when it is done.
    • Serve warm or cold with burgers, pasta or pizza.
    🎉 Last step! If you made this recipe, please leave a review and let us know what you think!

    Notes

    • Store: Refrigerate in a glass airtight container for up to 3 days. Do not freeze.
    • Slicing: Aside from making sure the pieces are thick enough, about 1/3 to 1/2-inch thickness, the actual way you slice the zucchini is up to you.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2slices, Calories: 62kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 232mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

    About Olena

    Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 14 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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