Grilled Zucchini

Here’s how to make the best grilled zucchini! It’s an easy side dish for dinners on the grill, seasoned to perfection with basil and oregano.

Turns out, zucchini is at its very best when it’s grilled. Throw thin slices on the grill and it comes out tender and charred, with an irresistibly smoky flavor! And if you combine with Italian-style flavors like basil, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder: well, it’s sensational! Zucchini is best known for zucchini bread: but Alex and I think grilled zucchini should be at the top of its greatest hits. At least, this way to cook it! It’s easy to grill, and takes less than 10 minutes to cook.

Want to grill all the veggies? Go to Best Grilled Vegetables!

Ingredients for grilled zucchini

Zucchini goes well with Italian-style flavors, so here we’re paired it basil and oregano. You could also use Italian seasoning, if you have it on hand. Otherwise, there’s not much you need to make great grilled zucchini. When we bit into it, we were surprised at how much flavor comes from these simple seasonings. Here are the ingredient you’ll need:

• Zucchini — it’s preferable to have medium sized zucchini, for size and flavor (very large zucchini can be too seedy)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Spices: Dried basil, dried oregano, onion powder, garlic powder

Want to grill it with squash? Go to Grilled Zucchini and Squash.

Best way to cut zucchini for the grill

There are a few different ways to cut zucchini for grilling it! Either way, you can get away with putting them right onto the grates: no grill basket needed! In our Grilled Squash recipe we chose to cut into rounds, but for grilled zucchini we cut into planks. It’s really your choice for how you’d like to serve it!

• Planks. Zucchini looks beautiful cut width-wise into long planks.
• Rounds or diagonal rounds (cut on the bias). You can slice the squash into 3/4-inch thick rounds. Or cut on the bias (diagonally), and you get larger, most interesting shapes.

How to grill zucchini

Grilling zucchini is fast and easy! Once you’ve cut and seasoned it, throw it on the grill and cook until tender and charred. Here are the basic steps (or jump right to the recipe):

• Preheat a grill to medium high heat. That’s about 375 to 450 degrees.
• Cut the zucchini into planks. Make the pieces about 3/4-inch thick.
• Toss with olive oil and seasonings. The blend of Italian spices in the recipe below is perfect.
• Grill on the grates for 4 to 6 minutes. Cook until charred and tender, turning once.

Sauces to serve with grilled zucchini

This grilled zucchini tastes fantastic on its own! But to take it over the top, serve it with a tasty dipping sauce! Here are a few we’d recommend:

• Ranch: Ranch is perfect for dipping! Try our Homemade Ranch Dressing.
• BBQ: Try our Homemade BBQ Sauce or Mustard BBQ Sauce.
• Honey Mustard: This Honey Mustard sauce is balanced between sweet and savory.
• Teriyaki: Dip into homemade Teriyaki Sauce (if so, skip the basil and oregano.)
• Cucumber Sauce: This Greek-style Quick Cucumber Sauce is also fun for dipping.

Add a few more grilled vegetables and make a platter!

We also like serving grilled zucchini with a few other of our best grilled vegetables to make a platter. Keep in mind the size of your grill dictates how many of these veggies you can grill at one time. Pick some of your favorites below!

• Onions, Peppers, Peppers & Onion and Squash Perfect for summer.
• Perfect Corn, Corn in Foil, or Elote The best ways to cook this seasonal treat.
• Perfect Potatoes, Potatoes in Foil, Sweet Potatoes, or Carrots Classic!
• Portobellos or Mushroom Skewers Full of meaty, smoky flavor.
• Cauliflower or Broccoli Charred florets of goodness.
• Asparagus, Green Beans, Avocado, Bok Choy, Okra, or Brussels Sprouts Unique, tasty and easy.
• Romaine, Kale, or Cabbage These leafy greens are fantastic grilled.
• Pineapple, Apples, or Bananas a La Mode The perfect sweet ending from a grilled dessert!

This grilled zucchini recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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More with zucchini

If you have too much zucchini on your hands, here are some zucchini recipe ideas to use it up:

• Baked Zucchini So easy to make, covered in a light coating of crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan!
• Perfect Sauteed Zucchini The BEST sauteed zucchini that will have everyone talking!
• Squash and Zucchini Casserole This cozy summer side dish is topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
• Roasted Zucchini and Squash Baked until tender with Italian herbs and Parmesan cheese.
• Easy Zucchini Bread or Best Vegan Zucchini Bread Perfectly moist and easy to make, these quick breads are a great use!
• Chocolate Zucchini Cake The secret ingredient hiding in this dense, moist chocolate cake? Zucchini!
• Apple Zucchini Muffins or Easy Zucchini Muffins Adding this veggie makes for perfectly moist, scented muffins.
• Zucchini Ribbon Salad Thin sliced zucchini makes the ribbons for this salad.