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Grilled Lemon Zucchini

Grilled lemon zucchini with bright citrus flavor: planks get char marks, then a lemon herb glaze is brushed on right off the grill. This easy summer side dish is tender, lightly garlicky, and finished with parsley and flaky salt.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

zucchini
  • 4 medium zucchini sliced into 1/3-inch planks or halved lengthwise
olive oil
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
lemons
  • 2 lemons zest of 2 lemons
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
garlic
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
thyme or oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme or oregano
seasonings
  • 0.25 tsp salt to taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper to taste
garnish
  • 0.5 cup fresh parsley chopped, to garnish
  • extra lemon zest for garnish
  • flaky salt for finishing

Equipment

  • 1 grill

Method
 

Make the lemon herb mixture
  1. Mix olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, dried thyme or oregano, salt, and black pepper together until well combined.
Prep and grill the zucchini
  1. Brush the zucchini with most of the lemon mixture, reserving some for finishing.
  2. Preheat the grill to medium-high, then oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  3. Grill the zucchini for 3–4 minutes per side until char marks form and the zucchini is tender.
Finish and serve
  1. Remove the zucchini from the grill and immediately brush with the reserved lemon mixture so it clings while warm.
  2. Garnish with fresh parsley, extra lemon zest, and a pinch of flaky salt before serving.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the reserved lemon mixture ready so you can brush it on immediately after grilling for maximum citrus impact. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat briefly on a hot grill pan or in a skillet for best texture. Freezing is not recommended because zucchini softens after thawing. For a dairy-free, gluten-free side, this recipe already fits both; to make it lower-sodium, reduce added salt and rely on the lemon zest for brightness.