July 27, 2020

30 Vegan Zucchini Recipes, Savory and Sweet

Ever found yourself with a pile of summer squash and a total lack of inspiration? We know we have! So we put together a collection of 30 different vegan zucchini recipes, from zoodles to ice cream, to help inspire you to make delicious meals featuring zucchini.

All about Zucchini

Zucchinis are a type of summer squash, which are a type of squash harvested while they’re still immature and the skins are tender. Unlike winter squash, which will last for months in a cool pantry, summer squash need to be eaten more quickly. They look a lot like cucumbers, although they have a softer skin and while you can eat them raw (and they’re delicious!) most people cook their zucchini. Although we call a zucchini a vegetable (and in culinary terms, it is a vegetable), technically it is a fruit. Just like peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, corn, peas, pumpkins, and more, zucchini are the part of the plant made to hold the seeds which makes them a fruit. A fun little note, but while we in the United States refer to this summer squash as a zucchini, in the UK it is a courgette. Zucchini comes from an Italian word meaning tiny squash, and courgetti comes from the French. But they’re the same plant, same vegetable, just named differently.

Choose zucchinis that are around 8 inches in length, with smooth skins free from blemishes. Buy local zucchini in the summer months for the best taste. Store them in a cool, dry place for about a week, and wash them right before you’re ready to cook them.

Zucchini Nutrition

Like many vegetables (fruits, really), the most nutritious part of the plant is the skins. Fortunately, zucchini skins aren’t tough, and are tasty so no reason to get rid of them! Zucchini is low in calories, and contains a good amount of Vitamins A, C, and K. Additionally it is high in manganese, potassium, and magnesium. Zucchini also contains lots of antioxidants, and have been shown to be beneficial towards heart health, good digestion, improved vision, and regulating blood sugars.

Growing Zucchini

Zucchini are native to the Americas, and grow in small, bushy plants. Each plant can grow to be fairly large, and needs a good amount of room. But I wouldn’t plant to many if I were you- zucchini plants are famous for being fairly easy to grow, and super prolific in the amount of zucchini they produce. Pound after pound of zucchini will grow from a single plant. They’ll easily grow as large as a baseball bat, but taste best when picked at around 6-inches in length. As if you needed more, the flowers are also edible. And the more zucchini you pick, the more your plant will grow. From July until frost, it will be zucchini all day, every day.

30 Vegan Zucchini Recipes

Especially because zucchini can grow so prolifically, there comes a time every year when many of us find ourselves saying, “What else can I make with zucchini?!?” These 30 different recipes are sure to inspire you for the long months of zucchini eating ahead.

Savory Vegan Zucchini Recipes

From full meals to simple sides, we found 22 different vegan zucchini recipes that highlight the summer squash in a savory style.

Zucchini and Squash Kabobs On The Grill

This recipe from Pink Fortitude is the perfect summer throw-on-the-grill recipe. It’s only two ingredients, and is totally beautiful in it’s simplicity!

Vegan Breaded Zucchini Recipe

This simple, crispy zucchini is a great way to use some of your excess zucchini. This vegan zucchini recipe uses a simple but effective trick to add a little flavor and get your breadcrumbs to stick without eggs!

Vegan Black Bean Meatballs with Zoodles And Marinara

When life gives you zucchini, make zoodles! Here’s a great zoodle dish from Nutriciously to help you up your zoodle game.

Vegan Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Chickpeas

If you’re looking for a simple, wholesome recipe that makes a stunning main dish, Ela Vegan has got the answer. Slice, scoop, and stuff for a flavor-packed zucchini boat!

Grilled Veggie Vegan Buddha Bowl

Grilling and zucchini really do go hand-in-hand, and this recipe from Whitney Bond embraces that. Along with grilled zucchini, enjoy some other green elements like asaparagus, pisatchios, avocado, and edamame!

Garden Zucchini Squash Casserole

The Carrot Underground helps you cook up some of that zucchini abundance with this visually stunning, simple zucchini casserole. Slice, bake, and enjoy!

Zucchini Curry Indian – Zucchini Chickpeas Curry

This coconut-based curry from Mrishtanna shows you how to whip up an easy zucchini curry in no time with some added chickpeas!

Zucchini Fritters with Paprika Sauce

One of the most popular ways to eat zucchini is by making zucchini fritters- little crispy, zucchini filled patties. If you’re looking for a good recipe, The Vegan Monster has one that’s not only vegan but gluten-free!

Chargrilled Courgette Salad with Lemon And Basil

Lightly dressed, delicately charred strips of zucchini from The Circus Gardener’s Kitchen is a perfect, summer-filled side dish and a great use for zucchini.

Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups

Zucchini can be a great way to eat some lower calorie or lower carb dishes. This recipe from Oat and Sesame replaces the pasta with zucchini in these lasagna roll ups!

Sneaky Zucchini Meatballs

These vegetable-packed “meat”balls might not taste healthy, but they sure are! Hidden in them is some sneaky zucchini, to trick picky eaters or even yourself if you’ve had enough zucchini for the year. Thanks, This Healthy Kitchen!

Zucchini ‘Ricotta’ Pasta + Fresh Herbs

This creamy vegan pasta dish is just as good cool as it is warm, making it a great summer make-ahead option. The Simple Veganista uses 4-5 whole zucchinis in the dish!

Zucchini Risotto with Roasted Tomatoes

Not only is this silky risotto from Vegan Yack Attack topped with zucchini, there is actually even more shreaded zucchini hidden in the creamy rice. Definately a vegan zucchini recipe to hold onto!

Low Carb Vegan Salad – Asian Noodle Salad

If you’re looking for a low-carb, high-flavor recipe, check out this one from Yum Vegan Blog. It’s a zucchini-heavy salad with a flavorfilled dressing!

3 Ingredient Sauteed Zucchini and Fennel

It’s good to have some basic vegan zucchini recipes that you can be a go-to when you don’t want to put much thought in- this recipe from Tasting Page is the perfect example of that!

Zucchini Leek Soup

This bright, beautiful green soup is from the delightful Sunnyside Hanne, and contains basil, fennel, and leeks along with- you guessed it- plenty of zucchini!

Zucchini Stew with Potatoes

This thick, hearty, Italian-style stew is filled with zucchini and potatoes, a tomato-based sauce, and perfect over some crusty bread. Veggies Save the Day lives up to their name with this one!

Stuffed Zucchini (Kousa Mahshi)

This twist on a Lebanese classic from Plant Based Folk uses a rice and pinenut stuffing to fill their zucchini. It’s a great option when you’re ready to have a little fun in the kitchen!

Stir Fry Zucchini Noodles

This dish from Veggie Inspired is basically veggies on top of veggies, and it’s dinner time in about 20 minutes! Bonus- it’s totally gluten free and oil free!

Baked Zucchini Chips

Thinly slicing zucchini is the trick to these healthier chip alternatives. Not only is it a good vegan zucchini recipe, but Health, My Lifestyle shares a few flavor variations too!

30-Min One-Pot French Ratatouille

This version of ratatouille from My Pure Plants takes a step back in time before a certain Pixar movie, and re-introduces a more classic version of the dish. Bon appetite!

Courgette Babaganoush

Courgettes (zucchinis) and aubergine (eggplant) can be used to replace each other, because while they have different flavors they have similar textures. That’s just what The Vegan Larder did in this smoky, vegan dip!

Sweet Vegan Zucchini Recipes

Because of their moist, tender texture and mild flavor, zucchini can also be a wonderful addition to many desserts! So if you’ve got a sweet tooth, we’ve added 8 sweet vegan zucchini recipes at the end for you.