Nothing celebrates summer like the simplicity of this Grilled Zucchini Recipe for Memorial Day. With its gorgeous grill marks and vibrant flavor, this colorful side dish is not only a breeze to prepare but also brings an irresistible touch of freshness and brightness to any holiday gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Freshness: Each bite highlights the garden-fresh zucchini and crisp herbs, making your holiday plate pop.
- Ridiculously Quick & Easy: From prep to plate in under 20 minutes, you can focus on relaxing with friends and family instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
- Healthful & Light: This grilled zucchini lets you indulge in something wholesome and delicious without skimping on crowd-pleasing flavor.
- Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: It’s vegetarian, naturally gluten-free, and pairs beautifully with any Memorial Day spread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about this recipe is that it lets the ingredients truly shine—no fancy tricks, just honest, simple flavors. Each addition builds a perfect balance of taste, texture, and summery color.
- Zucchinis: Go for firm, medium-sized zucchinis—smaller ones tend to be sweet and less watery, perfect for those irresistible grill marks.
- Olive oil: Not only does it add rich flavor, but it also helps prevent the zucchini from sticking to the grill.
- Garlic powder: Gives the zucchini a little aromatic boost without overpowering the natural flavors.
- Salt & black pepper: These two bring out the zucchini’s natural sweetness and round out the savory notes.
- Fresh herbs (basil or parsley): Sprinkle these at the end for a fragrant, colorful finish that really screams “summer is here!”
Variations
This Grilled Zucchini Recipe for Memorial Day is like a blank canvas—so don’t be afraid to make it your own! You can adapt it to whatever’s in your fridge or to suit your family’s favorites and dietary needs.
- Add a Citrus Twist: Drizzle with lemon juice or zest right after grilling for a bright, tangy finish.
- Spicy & Smoky: Toss zucchini with smoked paprika or a pinch of chili flakes if you love heat and smoky undertones.
- Cheesy Finish: Add a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan or crumbled feta while the zucchini is still warm for a creamy, salty touch.
- Try Different Herbs: Swap in dill, mint, or cilantro for a new layer of flavor each time you make it.
How to Make Grilled Zucchini Recipe for Memorial Day
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Grill
Start by heating your grill to medium-high and taking a minute to clean the grates well. This quick step makes all the difference—clean grates mean beautiful char marks and zero sticking. While the grill heats, gather your ingredients so everything is ready to go.
Step 2: Season the Zucchini
Slice your zucchinis into 1/4-inch rounds and pop them into a big bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the garlic powder, salt, and pepper over top. Now use your hands or a large spoon to toss everything together—make sure every piece gets an even, glistening coating.
Step 3: Grill to Smoky Perfection
Arrange the zucchini slices directly onto the hot grill in a single layer. Grill for about 3–4 minutes on each side, just until you see gorgeous grill marks and the slices feel tender but not mushy—keep an eye out for those deep golden edges!
Step 4: Finish with Fresh Herbs
During the final minute of grilling, sprinkle a handful of fresh basil or parsley over the slices for that bright, fragrant pop. Once finished, slide the zucchini off the grill and serve them up hot, with extra herbs or a squeeze of lemon if you’d like.
Pro Tips for Making Grilled Zucchini Recipe for Memorial Day
- Go for Even Slices: Consistent 1/4-inch rounds mean your zucchini will cook evenly and look picture-perfect on the platter.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Grill: Give those rounds a little breathing room so they sear instead of steam—this is where the magic grill marks happen.
- Add Herbs at the End: Tossing fresh herbs on at the last minute keeps their flavor vibrant and prevents wilting.
- Test for Tenderness: The zucchini should be just fork-tender, not mushy—a little bite makes for the best texture.
How to Serve Grilled Zucchini Recipe for Memorial Day
Garnishes
This dish absolutely shines with a finishing sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley, but you can also add delicate shavings of parmesan or a light drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil for an extra sparkle. A squeeze of lemon is the secret to making flavors pop even more.
Side Dishes
Your Grilled Zucchini Recipe for Memorial Day is wonderfully versatile—pair it with classic grilled chicken, juicy burgers, or hearty portobello mushrooms for a veggie feast. It also fits beautifully next to fresh summer salads, corn on the cob, or tangy potato salad.
Creative Ways to Present
You can fan the grilled zucchini rounds across a big platter, scatter colorful edible flowers and lemon slices, or even thread them onto skewers for fun party-ready finger food. Serving them family-style makes it easy for everyone to grab—and keeps things casual and festive!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you miraculously have any grilled zucchini left, let it cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 3 days—fantastic tossed into salads or wraps later in the week.
Freezing
While zucchini is best enjoyed fresh from the grill, you can freeze leftovers in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a bag for up to three months. Just know the texture will become softer, so save frozen zucchini for baked dishes or casseroles.
Reheating
Warm grilled zucchini gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or on a grill pan to restore a little of that original char. The microwave works in a pinch, but a quick toss in a hot pan keeps the texture firmer and brighter.
FAQs
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Can I use yellow squash instead of zucchini?
Absolutely! Yellow squash grills just as beautifully as zucchini and brings a sunny color to your Memorial Day spread. Simply slice and grill exactly as you would the zucchini.
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Can I make this Grilled Zucchini Recipe for Memorial Day on a grill pan indoors?
Yes! If the weather doesn’t cooperate, simply use a grill pan over medium-high heat. You’ll still get those gorgeous grill marks and all the smoky flavor, rain or shine.
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What herbs go best with grilled zucchini?
Basil and parsley are classic, but dill, mint, oregano, and cilantro are all delicious with grilled zucchini. Choose whatever you love or have on hand for a custom finish!
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How do I prevent zucchini from falling through the grill grates?
Slice the zucchini thickly (about 1/4 inch), and place the rounds perpendicular to the grates. If you’re still worried, a grill basket or skewers work wonders to keep everything in place.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to add a fresh, vibrant side to your holiday spread, this Grilled Zucchini Recipe for Memorial Day is the answer! It’s quick, easy, and guaranteed to win over everyone at the table. Give it a try, and let your grill (and guests) shine!
PrintGrilled Zucchini Recipe for Memorial Day Recipe
Celebrate Memorial Day with this quick and flavorful Grilled Zucchini recipe. Perfect as a side dish or a light main course, these zucchini rounds are seasoned with garlic and herbs, then grilled to perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Zucchini Rounds:
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- Fresh herbs (basil or parsley), for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and clean the grates to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Zucchini: In a large bowl, combine zucchini slices, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss well until evenly coated.
- Grill Zucchini: Place the zucchini directly on the grill in a single layer. Grill each side for about 3-4 minutes until you see grill marks.
- Add Herbs: In the last minute of grilling, sprinkle fresh herbs over the zucchini for added flavor.
- Serve: Remove from the grill and serve immediately with optional lemon juice or additional herbs as garnish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 95 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 298mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
