Save some space on your grill for a side of these smoky Grilled Zucchini slices.
Grilling is synonymous with summertime cooking, but it’s not just steaks and patties that look great with char marks. For instance, have you ever considered placing some sliced zucchini on top of your grill? I know, there are so many other great ways to make zucchini—including sautéing, air frying, and baking—but there’s something special about throwing the versatile veggie on the grill grates for a quick char.
As a plus, zucchini is in season during summer, so it makes sense to enjoy it while it’s at its peak freshness. You can find it just about anywhere—or maybe you even have some growing in your own backyard garden. And, thanks to its mild flavor and that aforementioned versatility, zucchini complements pretty much anything else you’re grilling up.
So, if you’re looking for a nutritious side that looks pretty on the plate and is child’s play to make, this grilled zucchini is sure to get you “fired up!”
Is Grilled Zucchini Healthy?
Zucchini is a nutritious veggie that’s low in calories and full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, and potassium. Add in some heart-healthy fats from the extra virgin olive oil, and you have all the makings of a nutrient-rich side dish.
Plus, since zucchini is naturally low-carb and gluten-free, it works for various diets like keto, Paleo, and vegan. So, if you’re grilling food for a big crowd, zucchini will likely fit everyone’s dietary needs without much need to adapt other ingredients.
How Do I Prevent Grilled Zucchini From Getting Soggy?
Since zucchini is mostly made of water, it can be tricky to achieve that perfectly crisp, grilled texture. However, there are some easy ways to decrease the odds of a soggy result
Most importantly, you must pat your zucchini dry with paper towels to remove all that surface moisture. It also helps to salt your sliced zucchini to draw out even more moisture. To do this, heavily salt the zucchini slices, let them sit for about 30 minutes, and then pat them dry before you add the olive oil marinade. In this case, you might want to go easy on the salt in the marinade or even skip it altogether.
When you’re ready to start cooking your zucchini, it’s essential to make sure your grill is hot. The zucchini slices should make a satisfying sizzle once they touch the grate. This blast of heat will kick-start the caramelization process rather than slowly steaming your veggies. Also, don’t forget that zucchini do not take long to reach a perfect grilled texture, so stay close by and pull them off after one to three minutes per side.
How To Make Ahead And Store
If you want to get your zucchini ready ahead of time, you could wash, cut, and dry them 2-3 hours in advance, but they will begin to brown if you leave them for much longer than that. It’s best to save the marinade for just before grilling to avoid your zucchini getting extra soggy and soaking up too much oil. To store leftover grilled zucchini, use an airtight container and pop them in the fridge after they’ve cooled. Typically, grilled zucchini lasts in the fridge for about 3 days. Due to their high water content, it’s not a great idea to freeze them.
Serving Suggestions
Grilled zucchini works well on its own as a tasty appetizer, but you might want to consider pairing it with some other dishes. For instance, why not add some grilled zucchini into these Grilled Herb Hummus Chicken Kebabs to add an extra bite? You might also want to consider putting zucchini slices on top of a Margherita Pizza or mixing them into a Pasta Salad.
The flavors of grilled zucchini also pair nicely with many other grilled recipes, such as Cajun Burgers, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, and Grilled Chicken Tenders. Basically, any summertime meal you’d envision eating corn on the cob with works great with a plate of grilled zucchini instead.
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini sliced lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges for finishing the dish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat.
- Place the zucchini on a large plate or tray. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Grill the zucchini for 1 to 3 minutes per side, or until char marks form and the zucchini is tender but still has some bite.
- Remove from the grill and squeeze lemon juice over the zucchini. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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