Our Best Zucchini Side Dishes

Updated: July 19, 2017
Make the most of the versatility of zucchini with this collection of top-rated side dish recipes.
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Grilled Zucchini with Lemon-Garlic Breadcrumbs

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine 
Grilled Zucchini with Lemon-Garlic Breadcrumbs Recipe

If you haven't made your own breadcrumbs yet, now is the time to give it a try. It's easy, makes use of any leftover bread, and tastes better than anything you can buy. Here, we have four different zucchini topping variations (from the top left, working clockwise): Grilled Zucchini with Lemon-Garlic Breadcrumbs, Grilled Zucchini with Herbed Butter, Grilled Zucchini with Chopped Tomato-Basil Salsa, and Sweet and Sour Zucchini. 

 

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Charred Zucchini Salad

Photo: Christopher Testani; Styling: Thom Driver
Charred Zucchini Salad Recipe

Erik Anderson uses lardo for part of the fat in the dressing. It's seasoned and cured pork fat somewhat similar to bacon. Find it at specialty markets or at almagourmet.com. Or substitute an equal amount of rendered bacon fat (16 ounces chopped bacon will yield the 3.5 ounces needed for this recipe). Anderson also uses sweet and sour teardrop chiles, which are a cross between a jalapeño and a cherry pepper. If you can't find them, substitute mild pickled peppadews. This salad is easily doubled. To do so, use 2 large skillets to simultaneously cook zucchini batches so the dish is done in the same amount of time.

3 of 20

Crunchy Zucchini Chips

Photo: Jennifer Causey Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley
Crunchy Zucchini Chips Recipe
Besides the savory seasoning, the crispy zucchini rounds have a secret whole-grain weapon: amaranth in the breading. It makes them amazingly crunchy without overpowering the vegetable. Serve them with burgers, sandwiches, or grilled chicken.
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4 of 20

Charred Zucchini Salad

Photo: Christopher Testani; Styling: Thom Driver
Charred Zucchini Salad Recipe

Erik Anderson uses lardo for part of the fat in the dressing. It's seasoned and cured pork fat somewhat similar to bacon. Find it at specialty markets or at almagourmet.com. Or substitute an equal amount of rendered bacon fat (16 ounces chopped bacon will yield the 3.5 ounces needed for this recipe). Anderson also uses sweet and sour teardrop chiles, which are a cross between a jalapeño and a cherry pepper. If you can't find them, substitute mild pickled peppadews. This salad is easily doubled. To do so, use 2 large skillets to simultaneously cook zucchini batches so the dish is done in the same amount of time.

5 of 20

Grilled Zucchini with Sea Salt

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr
Grilled Zucchini with Sea Salt Recipe
Keep summer side dishes simple with this 4-ingredient grilled zucchini dish. The only ingredients you need to add are sea salt, pepper, and olive oil.

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Grilled Zucchini Caprese Stacks

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen
Grilled Zucchini Caprese Stacks Recipe
What a showcase for garden treasures! Tuck extra basil between layers for more flavor.
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7 of 20

Shaved Zucchini and Parsley Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Missy Neville Crawford
Shaved Zucchini and Parsley Salad Recipe
This riff on traditional pasta salad combines delicate zucchini ribbon "pasta" and thinly slivered onions for a fresh, healthy side item.

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Zucchini-Farro Cakes with Herbed Goat Cheese and Slow-Roasted Tomatoes

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr 
Zucchini-Farro Cakes with Herbed Goat Cheese and Slow-Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
If you're willing to heat things up in the kitchen, this side dish is completely worth it! The herbed goat cheese is a must make for this side dish.

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Caprese "Salsa" Zucchini with Sea Salt

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr
Caprese "Salsa" Zucchini with Sea Salt Recipe
Serve grilled zucchini slices salad style along with fresh mozzarella, diced tomato and basil.
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10 of 20

Sweet Corn and Zucchini

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Kacy Carroll
Sweet Corn and Zucchini Recipe
Combine two of summer’s most popular veggies in a colorful and tasty side dish.

11 of 20

Zucchini with Peppermint (Curcurica kin Menta)

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross
Zucchini with Peppermint (Curcurica kin Menta) Recipe
Fresh mint adds a bright, fresh flavor to this zucchini and cheese side dish.

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Zucchini Pie

Photo: Christopher Baker
Zucchini Pie Recipe
This crustless zucchini pie contains eggs and two types of cheese and can be served as either a side dish or a meatless main dish.
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Zucchini Ribbons With Feta and Mint

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Stylist: Melanie Clark
Zucchini Ribbons With Feta and Mint Recipe
Slice zucchini into thin, ribbon-like strips using a wide vegetable peeler and season with fresh mint, lemon juice, and feta.

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Stuffed Zucchini with Cheesy Breadcrumbs

Photo: Anna Williams; Styling: Pam Morris
Stuffed Zucchini with Cheesy Breadcrumbs Recipe
Fill zucchini halves with a hearty mixture of breadcrumbs, artichoke hearts, cheese and fresh herbs for a savory side dish.

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Italian Grilled Zucchini and Red Onion

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr
Italian Grilled Zucchini and Red Onion Recipe
This simple side dish is tastiest at room temperature, so it's an ideal make-ahead. Any leftovers would be good the next day for lunch with couscous.
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Sautéed Zucchini

Photo: Quentin Bacon
Sautéed Zucchini Recipe
Sides don’t get much easier than this simple sautéed zucchini squash seasoned with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.

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Zucchini Oven Chips

Randy Mayor
Zucchini Oven Chips Recipe
Breaded, oven-fried zucchini slices make a healthy substitute for French fries or potato chips.

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Zucchini With Citrus-Herb Dressing

Zucchini With Citrus-Herb Dressing Recipe
Add bright, fresh flavor to sautéed zucchini by tossing the squash in a dressing of fresh orange juice, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and fresh herbs.
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Parmigiano-Crumbed Zucchini with Sea Salt

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr
Parmigiano-Crumbed Zucchini with Sea Salt Recipe
This easy zucchini side dish is made by grilling zucchini slices and topping with fresh breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
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