Grilled Zucchini Recipe + 5 Tasty Ways to Use It

This easy Grilled Zucchini Recipe is a summer favorite. Cooking Italian squash on a barbecue grill gives it the perfect flavor and texture. And it’s delicious as a side dish or in a variety of recipes from tacos to salads.

I always seem to end up with an abundance of zucchini (courgettes) each summer.

Either it comes in my CSA box, it’s on sale at the farmers market, or people gift it to me from their gardens.

Some of my favorite ways to use it are in Pasta with Zucchini, Zucchini Chickpea Stew, and Roasted Ratatouille. 

But my absolute favorite way to prepare summer squash is on the grill.

I love the texture that results from cooking it over high heat.

If you want to eat more zucchini but find it gets soggy or mushy when you prepare it, this grilling method is for you.

And all it needs is a little salt and pepper for seasoning. 

Plus it’s amazing in a variety of different dishes, making it perfect for meal prep.

Simply grill up a bunch of zucchini, then refrigerate it for use in other recipes.

All about zucchini

 

Before we get to grilling, let’s talk about what you need to know about this fruit that acts like a vegetable.

How to choose a good zucchini

Choose squash are firm and have smooth unblemished skin without excessive nicks or cuts.

And avoid ones that are overly large.

6 to 8 inches is best.

While it may seem cool to grow a gigantic zucchini in your backyard, it won’t taste as good as the smaller ones.

In fact, you probably won’t want to eat it at all.

Green or yellow

In addition, while we’re used to seeing green zucchini, there is also a gold variety.

The yellow and green ones taste very similar, so choose whichever you like. 

I recently tasted both raw in a side-by-side comparison, and I found the gold to be slightly sweeter but the green to have a better texture.

But honestly, the difference was hardly detectable.

To learn more about this low-calorie food, check out 6 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Zucchini.

How to prep zucchini for grilling

 

Cut off and discard both ends of each zucchini.

Slice each squash lengthwise into strips.

The zucchini I used were medium size, so I cut them into 4 strips. For smaller zucchini, cut them into 2 or 3 strips.

There’s no need to peel the squash since the skin is thin and tender.

Plus it’s a beautiful color.

Using a basting brush, brush one side of each strip with olive oil, then season with a little salt and pepper.

I love using a silicone brush since I can put it in the dishwasher when I’m done.

Turn over the strips and repeat on the other side with the olive oil and salt and pepper.

How to Grill Zucchini

 

Heat an outdoor barbecue grill to medium-high.

Or place an indoor grill pan on the stove over medium-high heat.

Lay the zucchini strips on the grill on a single layer at a 90 degree angle to the grates.

How long to grill zucchini

Grill the zucchini strips for 8 to 10 minutes, turning half way through, until dark grill marks appear.

Serve the grilled zucchini right away, or cover and refrigerate it for use in other recipes.

What to do with grilled zucchini

 

Besides enjoying this delicious grilled vegetable as a simple side dish, it works well in a variety of dishes.

For example, you can chop it up add it to Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil.

Or try it in your favorite tofu scramble recipe.

And here are 5 more tasty ideas for incorporating grilled zucchini into meals.

Appetizer or snack

One of my favorite easy ways to eat grilled zucchini is with a dip like Cashew Ranch Dressing.

Or for a Mediterranean inspired dish, try it with Greek Yogurt Sauce or Sun-Dried Tomato White Bean Dip.

Pizza topping

Grilled zucchini is delicious as a topping for pizza.

Add it to your favorite pie by itself or with other veggies like mushrooms, tomatoes, and olives.

Grilled zucchini sandwich

I love making a Mediterranean inspired sandwich with hummus without tahini and grilled squash. 

And don’t forget the sun-dried tomatoes!

Grilled zucchini salad

For an easy summer salad, combine white beans, chopped grilled zucchini, and quartered cherry tomatoes in a light vinaigrette. 

I like to take the recipe for Grilled Eggplant Salad and replace the eggplant with zucchini.

Zucchini tacos

And finally, one of my favorite ways to enjoy grilled zucchini is in tacos.

Add some seasoned black beans, fresh guacamole, and roasted salsa, and you’ll have yourself a delicious Mexican inspired meal.

Grilled Zucchini Recipe

 

This recipe calls for 6 squash, but you can use this method for cooking as few or as many as you want.

The cooked zucchini will last covered and refrigerated for about 3 days.

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!