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    Homepage » Recipes

    Easy Sautéed Zucchini 

    Published: Jun 28, 2022 This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    easy sautéed zucchini recipe.

    This easy sautéed zucchini makes a wonderful side dish for any meal. It's a simple zucchini recipe that you'll make over and over again. It’s super tasty and very healthy! 

    About this Sautéed Zucchini Recipe


    If you are looking for a quick last-minute side dish to make for dinner tonight, try this sautéed zucchini.

    The zucchini is sautéed in a pan until golden brown with simple seasoning and then finished up with lemon zest and parmesan cheese. It’s both rich and refreshing at the same time. It's one of my favorite zucchini recipes that makes anything taste better. Even a picky eater will love this veggie dish. 

    easy sautéed zucchini recipe.
    Jump to:
    • About this Sautéed Zucchini Recipe
    • Ingredients for Sautéed  Zucchini with Parmesan Cheese and Lemon Zest
    • How to Make Sautéed Zucchini 
    • Cooking Tips 
    • How to Store Leftover Sautéed Zucchini 
    • How to Reheat Leftover Sautéed Zucchini 
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients for Sautéed  Zucchini with Parmesan Cheese and Lemon Zest


    To make this sautéed zucchini, you'll need the following ingredients.

    1. Fresh Zucchini. You'll be using about 1.5 pounds or about 3 large or 4 medium fresh zucchini. 

    2. Parmesan. It pairs well with zucchini. It helps add savory and nutty flavors to the dish. 

    easy sautéed zucchini recipe.

    3. Lemon. You will be only using the lemon zest. It's a must-have ingredient that gives the zucchini a fresh and clean taste without acidity. 

    ingredients for sautéed zucchini.

    4. Oil and butter. I used a combination of oil and butter to add richness and unique flavor to the zucchini, without making it too greasy as it would when using only oil. 

    5. Seasoning. I keep the seasoning simple by using a combination of fresh garlic, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. 

    How to Make Sautéed Zucchini 


    This sautéed zucchini requires minimal preparation and cooking effort. Here are some important steps to follow. 

    1. Prepare the Zucchini

    • Wash the zucchinis and pat them dry with paper towels. After that, use a sharp knife to slice the zucchini into ¼-inch rings. 
    zucchini slices.

    2. Cook the Zucchini 

    It's very important to cook the zucchini in 2 batches to prevent steaming that could result in mushy and soggy zucchinis. 

    • Heat the oil over medium-high heat. 
    • Cook half of the zucchini slices for about 3 minutes undisturbed, until golden brown.
    • Cook the other side of the zucchini for 2 minutes or until the zucchini is cooked and tender-crisp. Transfer to a plate. 
    • Repeat this process to cook the remaining zucchini rings and transfer them to a plate. 
    cooking zucchini on staub.

    3. Season the Zucchini

    • Melt butter and cook garlic for 15 seconds or until fragrant on low heat. 
    • Put the cooked zucchini slices back into the pan. 
    • Add thyme and stir just until combined.
    • Turn off the heat then add lemon zest and parmesan cheese. 

    Cooking Tips 


    1. Cut into ¼ inch rings. Cut the zucchini into similar-sized rings so all of them cook evenly at the same rate. 

    2. Do not overcrowd the pan. Cooking the zucchini slices all at once will prevent them from getting crisp and tender. 

    In this recipe, I used a 12-inch skillet and had to divide it into 2 batches.

    3. If your pan has a burnt residue after cooking zucchini slices, wipe it off clean with paper towels or rinse before melting the butter and cooking the garlic to avoid a burning taste. 

    4. This recipe is customizable. As always, use this recipe as a start. You can always adjust the seasoning to your liking. Feel free to customize it by using your favorite herbs and adding more cheese.

    easy sautéed zucchini recipe.

    How to Store Leftover Sautéed Zucchini 


    • First, let the leftover cooked zucchini cool down to room temperature, no longer than two hours or one hour when the temperature is above 90 °F. You can learn more here.
    • Once it's cooled, transfer the leftover to an airtight container. Properly stored, it will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
    easy sautéed zucchini recipe.

    How to Reheat Leftover Sautéed Zucchini 


    Reheat the leftover cooked zucchini firm in the oven to keep them firm and crisp. Here's how:

    • Preheat the oven to 450°F.
    • Spread the leftover zucchini evenly on a baking sheet.
    • Drizzle the cooked zucchini slices with a small amount of oil then reheat them for 4-5 minutes or until heated through.

    More Tasty Zucchini Recipes


    • Loaded Zucchini Slice
    • Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
    • Courgette Soup Recipe (Creamy Zucchini Soup)
    • Summer Squash Casserole

    I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don’t mind, please leave me a comment and give this recipe a rating.

    📖 Recipe

    easy sautéed zucchini recipe.
    5 from 14 votes

    Easy Sautéed Zucchini Recipe

    Rika
    This easy sauteed zucchini makes a wonderful side dish for any meal. It's a simple zucchini recipe that you'll make over and over again. It’s super tasty and very healthy! 
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 114 kcal

    Equipment

    • a 12-inch skillet

    Ingredients
     

    • 1½ pounds fresh zucchini , (from about 4 medium or 3 large zucchinis)
    • 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil, (or more as needed)
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 2 garlic cloves, (minced)
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme, (about 1½ teaspoon fresh thyme)
    • ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
    • zest from one large lemon

    Instructions
     

    • Wash, drain, and cut the zucchinis into ¼-inch slices. Divide it in two batches.
    • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Cook the first batch of zucchini slices for 3-4 minutes, undisturbed, until golden brown. (see notes). Season with half of the salt, and half of the black pepper.
    • Cook the other side of the zucchini for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the zucchini is cooked and tender-crisp. Transfer to a plate. 
      Repeat this process to cook the remaining zucchini slices, and add more oil if necessary. Transfer the cooked zucchini slices to a plate. 
    • Melt butter and cook garlic for 15 seconds or until fragrant on low heat. Put the cooked zucchini slices back into the pan. Add thyme and stir for a few seconds. Turn off the heat then add lemon zest and parmesan cheese. 
    • Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, black pepper, and/or cheese if necessary.

    Notes

    A quick note for step #2. Make sure that you add the zucchini slices into the pan in a single layer. Some of them may overlap each other, but that's okay as long as it's not all of them and especially not in multiple layers, as that will result in mushy zucchini slices. 
    Storing. Let the leftover cooked zucchini cool down to room temperature, no longer than 2 hours or 1 hour when the temperature is above 90 °F. Transfer the leftover to an airtight container. Properly stored, it will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
    Reheating. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Spread the leftover zucchini evenly on a baking sheet. Drizzle the cooked zucchini slices with a small amount of oil then reheat them for 4-5 minutes or until heated through.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 114kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 269mgPotassium: 464mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 487IUVitamin C: 31mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword easy sautéed zucchini, how to sautée zucchini, sautéed zucchini, sautéed zucchini with lemon and parmesan cheese, sautéed zucchini with parmesan cheese
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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