Looking for an easy recipe to use up that summer zucchini or squash? Best Grilled Zucchini and Squash uses a handful of staple kitchen ingredients for a marinade, cooks on the grill in minutes, and is topped with fresh lemon and parmesan.
This grilled zucchini and squash recipe also includes directions on how to adapt for oven roasting as well.
During the summer months, my number one mission turns into find any way to use up all our garden zucchini and squash. Since it shows up at pretty much every breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I have to find creative ways to trick my family into thinking they aren’t eating the same vegetable over and over again.
Breakfast consists of Blueberry Zucchini Bread, at lunch we have leftover grilled zucchini salads, dinner is served with a side of grilled zucchini, zucchini fries, or zucchini pancakes, and for dessert we nosh on fudgy zucchini brownies.
Either I’m taking it a tad bit too far, or I might just be a zucchini recipe guru?
A grilled zucchini recipe should be easy, quick, yet delicious. The marinade and seasoning uses commonly stocked ingredients – olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, lemon, and parmesan. Therefore it’s as easy as picking some fresh zucchini or squash from the garden or your local farmstand.
Grilled zucchini squash is a low carb side dish that can be thrown together minutes and pairs great with recipes such as Grilled Parmesan Chicken, Grilled Salmon in foil, or Grilled Potatoes.
How to Make Grilled Zucchini and Squash Recipe
Grilling zucchini and summer squash only takes minutes and the prep is even shorter! Simply mix together the marinade, throw in the zucchini spears and let set for 15 minutes while the grill preheats.
Unlike sauteed zucchini or roasted zucchini recipes, the seasonings are added before cooking.
- To cut zucchini or summer squash spears, start by chopping off the ends. Slice in long quarters vertically. Alternatively, cut the squash into circles, but you may want to use a grill basket so they don’t fall through the grate.
- In a large ziplock bag place all the marinade ingredients and shake to combine.
- Add zucchini or summer squash to the marinade and mix to combine. Set aside while you preheat grill and grate parmesan.
- Grill zucchini and remove to a sheet pan. Immediately squeeze lemon juice over zucchini and sprinkle with fresh parmesan.
How Long Does it Take to Grill Zucchini or Squash?
It mostly depends on how you prefer it cooked. Three minutes per side will give it a charred exterior, but still crisp inside. If you prefer more tender grilled zucchini, leave it on for about 5-6 minutes per side.
Making Grilled Zucchini Slices
If you rather have grilled zucchini slices instead of spears, trim off the stems and slice each squash horizontally, into 1/2 inch thick circles.
You can still place the slices on the grill, but turn carefully so they don’t fall through the grate. Alternatively, use a grill basket placed on the grill or a grill pan (affiliate links) on your stove.
Make this recipe in the Oven
If you don’t feel like turning on the grill for this zucchini recipe, you also have the option or roasting it in the oven.
- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Lay the zucchini or squash in a single layer on a sheet pan, with space between each spear so the heat can circulate around the veggies.
- Roast for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from oven, squeeze on lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh parmesan.
What to do with leftover zucchini?
In hopes of using up all that squash, you may have gotten a little overzealous with the amount you grilled. If you have leftover grilled zucchini, repurpose it in some of these dishes!
- Chop it up and through it in an omelet, breakfast egg muffins, or a potato frittata.
- Throw in soups, such as cream of tomato soup, vegetable minestrone soup, or stuffed pepper soup.
- Add to pasta dishes, like Italian sausage pasta or easy baked pasta.
- Top pizzas or chickpea flatbread for a healthier pizza night.
Alternatively, check out the best gluten free zucchini recipes for more inspiration of using up that summer squash!
SAVE THIS recipe for GRILLED ZUCCHINI TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARD!
Let’s be friends on Pinterest! I’m always sharing great recipes!
Grilled Zucchini
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4 medium zucchini or squash, quartered lengthwise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large ziplock bag place olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake to mix together marinade ingredients.
- Cut zucchini or squash in long spears and add to marinade. Shake bag to combine. Set aside at room temperature for 15 minutes, up to 1 hour.
- Preheat grill to medium high heat. Oil grate and grill zucchini about 3-5 minutes per side or until charred and cooked. Remove grilled zucchini to a baking sheet. Immediately drizzle fresh lemon juice over and sprinkle hot zucchini with parmesan.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?? DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AND/OR CLICK A STAR RATING ON THE RECIPE CARD!
Equipment Needed
Recipe Notes
How Long to Grill Zucchini or Squash
Three minutes per side will give it a charred exterior, but still crisp inside. If you prefer more tender grilled zucchini, leave it on for about 5-6 minutes per side.Grilled Zucchini Slices
Trim off the stems and slice each squash horizontally, into 1/2 inch thick circles. You can still place the slices on the grill, but turn carefully so they don’t fall through the grate. Alternatively, use a grill basket placed on the grill or a grill pan (affiliate links) on your stove.Make Lemon Parmesan Zucchini recipe in the Oven
If you don’t feel like turning on the grill for this zucchini recipe, you also have the option or roasting it in the oven.- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Lay the zucchini or squash in a single layer on a sheet pan, with space between each spear so the heat can circulate around the veggies.
- Roast for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove from oven, squeeze on lemon juice and sprinkle with fresh parmesan.
Nutrition
This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policy here.
Travis says
Really awesome flavor. Everyone loved it. Thanks!!
Melissa says
So glad to hear! Thanks for taking the time to write!
Best,
Melissa
Becky Simpkins says
This is amazing! And actually, I hurried thru the first time…I only used one spear…although it was a large one from Aldi…and I completely forgot about the lemon and Parmesan! Making it again tonight.
Melissa says
Hi Becky,
I’m so glad you loved this recipe. I’ve been making a ton of zucchini lately too to test out another recipe. I just published Roasted Zucchini, which I think you will love as well! BTW Aldi is like my favorite place ever!
Best,
Melissa
Lee says
Definitely my “go to” vegie recipe this summer ♥
Melissa says
Yay! Yes, this marinade works with a lot of different veggies 🙂
Cortney says
In reference to the nutrition facts…what is the serving size?
Melissa says
Hi Cortney, About 3 spears, but the calorie information is higher than it would actually be. The nutritional information just divides all the ingredients. However, not all the olive oil will actually stick to the zucchini, most will stay in the bag. So I would say 70 calories / 3 spears. Hope that helps!
Melissa
Michele says
Zucchini is one of my favorite recipes! Love that you grilled it. Sounds to flavorful!
Melissa says
Thanks Michele! Grilling zucchini is may absolute favorite way to cook it.