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Honey Balsamic Grilled Zucchini

Honey balsamic grilled zucchini with a sticky, dark caramelized glaze that coats every char-marked surface. Planks get sweet-tangy flavor while grilling fast for tender-crisp results.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
marinating 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 140
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Zucchini
  • 4 zucchini medium, sliced into 1/3-inch planks or halved lengthwise
Honey Balsamic Glaze
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 0.25 tsp salt to taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper to taste
  • fresh thyme for garnish
  • flaky salt for garnish

Method
 

Make the honey balsamic glaze
  1. Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, and fresh thyme leaves in a bowl until smooth and evenly combined.
  2. Season the glaze with salt and black pepper to taste, then keep it ready for brushing.
Marinate and grill
  1. Brush the zucchini generously with the honey balsamic glaze, ensuring all cut sides are coated.
  2. Let the glazed zucchini sit for 15 minutes to absorb flavor while the glaze slightly thickens.
  3. Preheat the grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  4. Grill the zucchini 3–4 minutes per side, watching closely because the honey caramelizes quickly and can cause flare-ups.
  5. In the last minute of cooking, brush the zucchini with extra honey balsamic glaze for a darker, stickier coating.
Serve
  1. Transfer the grilled zucchini to a platter, drizzle any remaining glaze over the top, and garnish with fresh thyme and flaky salt.

Notes

For best char and a glossy finish, avoid overcrowding the grill so each plank can brown; cook in a single layer and flip only once. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container up to 3 days and rewarm on a hot grill pan or skillet until just heated through. Freezing isn’t recommended since zucchini can soften and release extra water after thawing. For a lower-sugar option, use a sugar-free honey substitute (same amount) to keep the glaze caramelized without added sugar.