Smokey and savory, grilled zucchini is one of our favorite side dishes during the summer. We’ll show you two different techniques ( over the grill and in a foil packet) to help you get perfectly grilled zucchini whether you’re cooking over a campfire or BBQ.
The first step is to get your grill or campfire ready for high heat. For campfires, you ideally want to be cooking over a bed of hot embers (not open flames).
Prep the zucchini: remove both ends, then slice into flat planks roughly ¼”-½" thick. Repeat for the rest of the zucchini.
Add the salt, garlic powder, and pepper to a small bowl and add the olive oil. Stir to combine.
Using a silicone brush (or your clean fingers), coat both sides of the zucchini with the seasoned olive oil.
Lay the zucchini on your grill at a 45° angle to the grill grate. Cook for 4-6 minutes on the first side, then flip and about 2-4 minutes on the back side, then take them off the grill.
Foil Packet Method
The first step is to get your grill or campfire ready for high heat. For campfires, you ideally want to be cooking over a bed of hot embers (not open flames).
Cut the zucchini into ¼" planks or rounds.
Roll out a piece of aluminum foil, then a smaller piece of parchment paper. Arrange your zucchini in a single layer on the parchment.
Add the garlic powder, and pepper to a small bowl and add the olive oil (omit the salt for now!). Stir to combine.
Drizzle the seasoned olive oil over the zucchini.
Roll out another sheet of parchment to place on top, then another piece of aluminum foil to place on top of that. Fold or crimp the edges to form a tightly sealed foil packet.
We recommend putting your foil packet directly on the coal or hot embers (if using a propane grill, cook over high direct heat). In order to get browning inside the foil packet, you will need very high, direct heat. So cook directly on the embers for 2-4 minutes, flip, then cook another 2-4 minutes.
Remove from the heat and carefully open the foil packet (there will be a lot of hot steam!). Season with sea salt and serve.