Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan

Anyone who’s every planted zucchini in their garden knows that come harvest time, you’re left with an abundance of this yummy veggie. One of my favorite ways to use this bounty is to make grilled zucchini. It’s a fast and easy recipe that looks super fancy with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Try it at your next BBQ and I promise you’ll be hooked!

Why should I make this grilled zucchini recipe?

Grilled zucchini is a fantastic way to use up an overabundance of this prolific summer squash. This zucchini recipe is quick, simple, and extremely delicious. The honey and balsamic vinegar combine for the perfect sweetness, while the herbs and Parmesan cheese add some savory flavors to this dish. Grilled zucchini only takes a few minutes to prepare, and it’s versatile enough to serve beside other grilled favorites such as burgers, grilled chicken, or steak.

How do you cut zucchini for grilling?

Cutting your zucchini properly is one of the most important steps to making sure it cooks evenly. Cut your pieces too small and they’ll slip through the grill. Cut them too big and you’ll end up with zucchini that’s undercooked in the middle or overcooked on the outside.

To cut your zucchini for grilling, use a sharp knife or a mandolin. You want to slice the zucchini lengthwise to make long strips. The strips should be roughly ½ an inch thick. This is the perfect thickness for grilling zucchini.

How do I grill zucchini?

Although this grilled zucchini recipe looks and tastes fancy, it’s really amazingly simple to make. To grill your zucchini, you’ll need to follow a few basic steps.

1. Make sure your grill is preheated to high—roughly 450°F.
2. As the grill heats, slice your zucchini into strips.
3. Mix your spices—minus the basil—with the vinegar, oil, and honey in a large bowl and toss the zucchini strips in the sauce until they’re well coated.
4. Place the strips on the grill in a single layer and allow them to grill for ten minutes on one side and three to four minutes on the other side
5. Drizzle your grilled zucchini slices with any remaining balsamic glaze and sprinkle it with the cheese and the basil. Add some pepper or red pepper flakes for a dash of spice if desired.

How long does grilled zucchini take?

You can make this grilled zucchini recipe from start to finish in less than half an hour. It’s the perfect side dish to have cooking while you’re focusing on your main course. The zucchini is actually on the grill for 13-14 minutes and the other 10-15 minutes are spent slicing the zucchini and preparing the glaze.

Should you salt zucchini before grilling?

Zucchini is an extremely watery vegetable. Some people prefer to salt their zucchini prior to cooking it. The salt helps draw some of the moisture out of the vegetable so it’s firmer and less mushy when it cooks.

You don’t have to salt your zucchini before grilling it for this recipe, but you certainly can if you want to. After allowing the salt to sit on the zucchini for a while, pat it dry using a paper towel to soak up any excess juices. Salting the zucchini will make the grilled zucchini firmer and may make it crisper after grilling as well.

Why is my grilled zucchini mushy?

There are a few things that can make zucchini mushy. One of the biggest culprits is overcooking. When your zucchini sits on the grill too long, the insides become mushy. 

If you’re struggling with mushy zucchini and you’ve got your grill at the perfect temperature, try salting the zucchini prior to grilling. This will draw out some of the water, leaving the zucchini firmer.

What should I serve with grilled zucchini?

Grilled zucchini is one of my favorite zucchini recipes because it’s very versatile and goes with a wide variety of foods. Here are some ideas for meals you can serve with your grilled zucchini.

• Grilled Chicken Thighs
• Grilled Beer Can Chicken
• One Skillet Coffee-Rubbed Steak and Potatoes Dinner
• Instant Pot Pork Roast
• Instant Pot Turkey Breast
• Buttermilk Roasted Chicken