Zucchini is a grill superstar—versatile, quick-cooking, and perfect for soaking up bold flavors. As experienced grillers know, brushing on spices before or during cooking keeps it juicy and delicious. Mix it up with these four proven ideas to create standout sides or even mains.
Grill Zucchini to Perfection
1. Prep your marinade or spice mix ahead of time.
2. Slice into uniform pieces (max 1 cm thick) for even cooking.
3. Brush lightly with olive oil, then add spices (or apply during grilling, as zucchini absorbs quickly).
4. Preheat grill to medium heat.
5. Place slices on the rack with lid open.
6. Grill over direct heat on both sides until charred and marked.
7. Serve hot!
1) Grilled Zucchini with 3 Flavor-Packed Marinades
Marinades take zucchini to the next level. Here are our go-to favorites:
Garlic Marinade: Garlic powder, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper.
Butter-Lemon Marinade: 30 g butter, 3 finely chopped garlic cloves, 1 tsp Italian herbs, juice of 1 lemon, and salt.
Chili Spice Mix: Sea salt, 1 tsp chili flakes, and lemon juice.
2) Grilled Zucchini and Aubergine
Zucchini and eggplant make an unbeatable Mediterranean BBQ side. Prep and grill eggplant the same way—1 cm slices over direct heat until nicely marked on both sides. Finish with one of the spice mixes above for irresistible flavor.
3) Grilled Zucchini Boats
Halve zucchini lengthwise into boat shapes, scoop out the centers, and fill with shrimp puree or your favorite mix. Top with grated cheddar or edam cheese. Grill over low heat with the lid on for a few minutes until the cheese melts. A crowd-pleaser!
4) Grilled Zucchini Salad with Mozzarella
Arrange 1 cm-thick mozzarella slices alongside grilled zucchini. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. This fresh, simple salad is an elegant starter.
