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Get the grill ready and make these delicious Grilled Zucchini Spears. This is the perfect side dish to try for Summer that is easy, tasty and budget friendly. Give it a try.
If you loved our Grilled Zucchini Foil Packs Recipe then you will love this recipe for Grilled Zucchini Spears. It is a must try side dish for Summer and we actually enjoy as a Best Sides for Tilapia.
If you love zucchini as much as I do, make Fried Zucchini with your favorite dipping sauce.
Table of Contents
What Does Grilled Zucchini Taste Like?
It has a different flavor – it is crunchy on the outside and nice and soft on the inside. It is simply delicious. Zucchini has a mild flavor that is slightly sweet but with a small bitter taste.
Cooking Zucchini increases the sweetness of the zucchini and makes it softer. I think this is why it is one my kids favorite vegetable. It is also one of our favorite veggies to throw on the grill. It is that good.
Ingredients
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Seasoning Ideas
- Salt and Pepper – Just salt and pepper with garlic salt or garlic powder. This is probably my favorite because it requires simple ingredients.
- Italian Seasoning – Another simple add, especially if your are serving spaghetti add garlic salt and Italian seasoning.
- Spicy – Season the zucchini with Salt with Creole seasoning or red pepper flakes.
- Salty Flavor – Sprinkle with some teriyaki sauce with garlic salt.
- Balsamic Vinegar – We love balsamic vinegar and use it for a marinade on chicken and steak. It is even great on grilled vegetables.
- Parmesan Cheese – Add parmesan cheese after your zucchini is done grilling. We like to use fresh parmesan cheese.
- Steak Seasoning – If you are cooking steaks, add the steak seasoning to zucchini. Flavorful and easy to add to the zucchini. Just toss in a large bowl covering the zucchini completely.
- Lemon Juice – Once the zucchini is done cooking, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top. Olive oil and lemon juice is the perfection combination. We have even added lemon zest.
How to Grill Zucchini on the Grill
Step 1 – Add the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper to a large mixing bowl. Whisk to thoroughly combine.
Step 2 – Add the zucchini to the bowl and gently toss with your hands to coat the zucchini with the oil and seasonings. Let the zucchinis marinade for at least 20 minutes.
Step 3 – Preheat the grill over medium high heat (approximately 400 degrees F). Clean the grill grates and rub them with an oil to keep the zucchini from sticking to the grill.
Step 4 – Place the marinated zucchini spears directly on the grill or grill pan over direct heat. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the zucchini is slightly charred. Flip and grill for 3-4 more minutes on the opposite side until the zucchini is tender.
- Step 5 – Remove from the grill. Serve this delicious recipe with the perfect grill marks warm topped with the fresh chop parsley and enjoy!
What is the Best Way to Cut Zucchini for Grilling?
There are different ways you can grill zucchini on the grill. But depending on the way you slice your zucchini will depend on how you grill it and how long it stays on the grill.
- Spears – Cut zucchini in half and then cut into quarters. We like using this option as the spears do not fall through the grill grates. You can also use a grill basket or foil to cook the spears.
- Planks – Place zucchini on a cutting board and cut the ends of the zucchini. Then cut the zucchini in about ¾ inch thick planks. This is a great option because you can put the planks directly on the grill and they don’t fall through the grill grates.
- Halves – If you have smaller zucchini this is a great option. Just cut the zucchini and half, season and place on the grill. For medium size zucchini, cut in quarters and for large ones cut in eighths.
- Coins – If we have larger zucchini we like to cut in coins. We cut in a slight diagonal into circles and place on the grill. If you have small zucchini, you can still use this option but you will need to place in foil or a grill basket.
Serving Suggestions
- Grilled Chicken Kabob Recipe
- Grilled Bacon Wrapped Chicken Recipe
- Garlic Parmesan Grilled Shrimp Recipe
- Lemon Pepper Grilled Tilapia
- Grilled Mahi Mahi (Ready in 15 minutes)
- Blackened Mahi Mahi
We also like to chop up the zucchini after it is grilled and add it to pasta salad. The grilled veggies tastes amazing in the pasta.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have leftovers, place in an air tight container for up to 4 days. Place in the refrigerator. Leftover zucchini is easy to reheat in the microwave.
Place on a microwave safe plate and reheat in 30 seconds intervals.
We love squash as much as zucchini. Simple cut the squash about the same size as the zucchini so that it grills evenly and they get done about the same time. You can also season squash with the same seasoning as the zucchini.
The best way we have found to keep the zucchini from getting soggy is season it with salt and immediately place on a hot grill. The salt draws out the moisture and the grill caramelizes the outer flesh before it gets to soggy.
More Grilled Side Dish Recipes
Easy Grilling
How to Grill Bell Peppers
Easy Grilling
How to Grill Corn on the Cob
Easy Grilling
Grilled Potatoes in Foil
Easy Grilling
Grilled Brussel Sprouts
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Grilled Zucchini Spears
Ingredients
- 2 zucchinis cut into quarters lengthwise
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Add the olive oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper to a large mixing bowl. Whisk to thoroughly combine.
- Add the zucchini to the bowl and gently toss with your hands to coat the zucchini with the oil and seasonings. Let the zucchinis marinade for at least 20 minutes.
- Preheat the grill over medium high heat (approximately 400 degrees F). Clean the grill grates and rub them with an oil to keep the zucchini from sticking to the grill.
- Place the zucchini spears directly on the grill over direct heat. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the zucchini is slightly charred. Flip and grill for 3-4 more minutes on the opposite side until the zucchini is tender.
- Remove from the grill. Serve warm topped with the fresh chop parsley and enjoy!
Such a versatile vegetable! Don’t you just love it!