This Sautéed Zucchini is easy to make and the perfect healthy side dish for using up any extra garden zucchini. Just a few simple ingredients and can be served with your favorite protein of your choice. Naturally gluten-free, low carb, keto, vegan, paleo and Whole30 friendly.
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Easy Sautéed Zucchini Recipe
Still gots lots of summer zucchini from the farmer’s market or your garden and looking for a way to use it all up? This Sautéed Zucchini is easy to make and one our favorite side dishes to use all that extra zucchini bounty. All you need is a hot pan, a few seasonings and herbs and you’ve got the best simple side dish! We eat zucchini and squash all year round and always have it on rotation but even more so once zucchini season arrives come July and August day. Zucchini is mild and goes so well with everything!
Why we love this zucchini recipe
Not only is this fried zucchini recipe so ridiculously easy to make, it’s also delicious and good for you.
- Full of vitamin K, vitamin C, minerals and naturally vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, paleo, low carb, keto and Whole30 friendly
- Just a handful of ingredients and works great for meal prep
- Simple to customize with any seasonings or fresh herbs you like.
Ingredients you need
- Zucchini – you want to use a fairly large or medium large sized zucchini for even cooking. If you have a massive garden-sized zucchini, cut zucchini into half circles about 1/2 inch thick.
- Avocado oil – you can also use extra virgin olive oil or any other oil you like or have on hand.
- Garlic – a must for making your fried veggies shine. You’ll need two garlic cloves.
- Zucchini Seasoning: You can use any combination of seasonings you like. We opted for kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Grated Vegan Parmesan cheese – we like this one from Violife. You can sub with regular grated Parmesan cheese if not dairy-free or 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast for paleo and Whole30.
- Fresh Herbs: Chopped fresh parsley and green onions. Don’t have fresh parsley? Use fresh basil, cilantro or oregano instead!
How to cut zucchini for sautéing
- Place the zucchini on the cutting board and trim off both ends off.
- Cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds.
How to make Sautéed Zucchini
The great thing about making sautéed veggies is that you can use a nonstick pan or a cast-iron pan.
- Prep the Zucchini: Wash zucchini and cut zucchini into rounds about 1/2 inch thick.
- Heat the pan: Heat a large nonstick pan with tall sides (or a cast-iron pan or dutch oven) on medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the pan evenly.
- Season: Add the zucchini and garlic, then season with salt, black pepper and Italian seasoning.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with vegan parmesan (if using), green onions and fresh herbs. Serve warm.
Variations
Want to switch up the flavors of your grilled vegetables?
- Sprinkle on some vegan cheese: Sprinkle on some vegan parmesan cheese or crumbled vegan feta for extra flavor.
- Spice things up: Add more crushed red pepper flakes for some heat!
- Fresh herbs: Use up your garden herbs with some chopped parsley, mint, chives, thyme or dill.
What goes with sauteed zucchini
Zucchini goes so well with so many things!
You can serve it along your favorite grilled or roasted protein like our Pan Seared Salmon, Grilled Chicken, Roasted Chicken or a side of our Baked Feta Pasta or Cauliflower Mash and some Crispy Tofu for a complete plant-based meal.
Storage and reheating tips
- How to store. Got leftovers? Let your cooked zucchini cool then store any leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- How to reheat. Reheat your leftover veggies on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F until warm. You can also warm them up in the air fryer at 350 F for a few minutes or on a plate in the microwave.
Can you freeze zucchini?
We typically freeze uncooked zucchini when prepping ahead for meal prep.
- How to Freeze. Store uncooked zucchini in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator overnight.
We don’t recommend thawing sautéed zucchini since it will be quite mushy once you thaw it out. It works for tossing into smoothies or into soups you plan to blend up. In that case, simply store any leftover zucchini in an airtight freezer-safe bag, press out any extra air and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
More easy zucchini recipes you might like:
This Sautéed Zucchini is easy to make and the perfect healthy side dish for using up any extra garden zucchini. Just a few simple ingredients and can be served with your favorite protein of your choice. Naturally gluten-free, low carb, keto, vegan, paleo and Whole30 friendly.
- 1 tbsp avocado oil OR olive oil
- 4 medium zucchini , ends trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
- 2 garlic cloves , grated or finely minced (or sub with 1-2 teaspoons garlic powder)
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt OR kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1-2 tbsp grated vegan Parmesan cheese , Leave out or use 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast for paleo + Whole30. May sub regular grated Parmesan if not dairy-free.
- 1 green onion , thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley , for garnish
Heat a large nonstick pan with tall sides on medium-high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat the pan evenly. Add the zucchini and garlic, then season with salt, black pepper and Italian seasoning.
Add the zucchini and garlic, then season with salt, black pepper and Italian seasoning.
Cook, stirring occasionally until the zucchini is tender and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan (if using), green onions and fresh herbs.
Transfer to a plate and serve immediately with favorite protein and/or other sides.
Recipe Video
How to store. Got leftovers? Let your sauteed zucchini cool then store any leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
How to reheat. Reheat your leftover veggies on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F until warm. You can also warm them up in the air fryer at 350 F for a few minutes or on a plate in the microwave.
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