Miso Glazed Zucchini on the Grill

This Grilled Zucchini Recipe with Miso Glaze requires no special knife skills, is ready in 15 minutes, and will make eating your veggies an absolute delight.

Have you ever had Zucchini Grilled?

While sauteed and roasted zucchini are delicious, my personal favorite way to prepare this vegetable is on the grill.

If you’ve ever been intimidated by grilling zucchini, I can assure you that it’s easier than you think!

While many recipes require some precise knife work to cut each zucchini into perfectly flat slices, this one takes a much easier approach to cutting the vegetable.

Long spears of zucchini are super easy to cut and grill. We’ll also be adding a miso glaze for rich umami flavor with a touch of sweetness, elevating grilled zucchini to a whole new level.

“This recipe is so so good, I have even made the glaze to put on sugar snap peas in the skillet.  I would say this glaze could go on just about every vegetable and it would be amazing!”

—Veronica

Ingredients needed to Grill Zucchini 

• zucchini – Use any size zucchini you happen to have on hand! I used 3 medium zucchini, which weighed about 1-1/4 pounds total. This recipe work great with yellow squash as well.
• miso – this is the star of our glaze! White/light miso works best for this recipe.
• honey – enhances the natural sweetness of the zucchini and balances the saltiness of the miso.
• rice vinegar – adds acidity to the glaze. If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can use cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
• soy sauce – intensifies the umami flavor and adds a savory element to the glaze.

Grilled Zucchini Seasoning

This miso glaze in this recipe provides all the necessary seasoning for the zucchini. Because the miso (and the soy sauce) are so salty, I don’t salt the zucchini at all.

If you prefer to skip the glaze, feel free to cut the zucchini according to the directions below, sprinkle it with salt and pepper, and grill it for a simple, flavorful side dish.

How to cut Zucchini for Grilling

While many recipes ask you to cut your zucchini into 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch thick slices, I find this pretty difficult to do.

I always end up with thick spots and thin spots, and the zucchini on the grill doesn’t always lay flat or cook evenly when I cut it this way.

So, I started cutting each zucchini into 4 long spears and this has really changed the game for me.

Now every spear is the exact same size, and I can get a nice even cook on them, so there’s no overcooked or undercooked spots! It’s truly the best way to grill zucchini.

To do this, cut each zucchini in half lengthwise (the long way), and then cut each half in half lengthwise again. You’ll end up with 4 long spears from each zucchini.

How to Grill Zucchini

1. Preheat the grill, and make your miso glaze and cut the zucchini while it’s preheating.
2. Spray each zucchini with olive oil cooking spray.
3. Transfer the zucchini to the grill and cook 2 minutes.
4. Rotate the zucchini and cook 2 more minutes.
5. Rotate it one last time and brush the zucchini with the glaze.
6. Cook 1 more minute, then serve right away!

How long to grill Zucchini

Medium zucchini cut into long spears take about 5 to 6 minutes to grill until tender.

You can definitely cook small or large zucchini on the grill, you’ll just need to adjust the grilling time up or down accordingly.

What to pair with Grilled Zucchini

This grilled zucchini recipe is a perfect side dish for pretty much any type of grilled meat, poultry or seafood. Some of my favorites are:

• Juicy Grilled Pork Chops
• Best Turkey Burger Recipe
• Buttermilk Grilled Chicken
• Grilling Flat Iron Steak
• Grilled Sockeye Salmon

Storing Grilled Zucchini

Grilled zucchini is truly best enjoyed fresh off the grill, so I recommend only grilling as much as you’ll eat in one sitting.

However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Zucchini Grilled FAQs