Mediterranean Grilled Zucchini with Dill Yogurt and Feta
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read My Disclosure
Grilled zucchini gets a glow-up in this Mediterranean Grilled Zucchini with Dill Yogurt and Feta. Tender, smoky zucchini slices are served over a tangy yogurt sauce with salty feta, and a sprinkle of crunchy pistachios for a side dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious! Perfect with my Skillet Mediterranean Chicken or Greek Lamb Chops!
“This is yummy, even with dried dill! Use 1/3 the amount of fresh and give it some time to “bloom.” We are keeping this!”
Why This Recipe is a Keeper!
Inspired by fresh Mediterranean flavors, this easy summer side dish recipe made with zucchini is light, healthy, and ready in minutes. It’s perfect for casual entertaining, weeknight dinners, or any time you want to serve something impressive!
This grilled zucchini recipe:
- Rocks with fresh Mediterranean flavor! Smoky grilled zucchini, cool dill yogurt, salty feta, and crunchy pistachios create a perfect flavor balance.
- Light yet satisfying! Pairing the grilled zucchini with protein-packed Greek yogurt and crunchy pistachios makes it filling without being heavy.
- Quick and easy! Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s ideal for a weeknight dinner or last-minute guests.
- Versatile! It pairs beautifully with any Mediterranean-inspired main or as part of a vegetarian spread.
- Impressive! The grilled zucchini slices served over the dilled yogurt and sprinkled with feta and pistachios garnished with feathery dill sprigs makes a stunning presentation.
Whether you’re serving it for a casual family meal or dressing up the table for guests, this Grilled Mediterranean Zucchini with Dill Yogurt and Feta is a summer side dish you’ll come back to again and again!
How to Make mediterranean grilled zucchini with dill yogurt:
Recipe Ingredients:
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this grilled zucchini recipe. The exact quantities are on the recipe card below.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
- Zucchini: Choose small to medium zucchini for the best result.
- Greek Yogurt: I prefer whole milk or full-fat Greek yogurt for the flavor and the creaminess. If you like and are used to lower-fat or nonfat Greek yogurt, by all means, use it.
- Fresh Dill: Fresh is best!
- Feta Cheese: Feta cheese’s crumbly texture makes it ideal for sprinkling over the grilled zucchini. Crumble it off the block yourself or use purchased crumbled feta cheese for convenience. If you’re not a feta fan, goat cheese is a substitute.
- Pistachios: The vibrant green color of Pistachios makes them an appealing garnish. Although not as visually appealing, almonds, walnuts, or pine nuts can be used instead of pistachios. If a nut allergy exists, substitute sunflower seeds.
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Gather and prep all the ingredients.
- Combine the yogurt, half the olive oil (only add if your yogurt is extremely thick–like Fage), lemon juice, dill, garlic, and salt and black pepper to taste in a small bowl. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Cut the zucchini into three planks each.
- Brush with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the zucchini for 2 to 3 minutes per side or to desired doneness.
- Spread the yogurt combination onto a platter.
- Top with the zucchini. Sprinkle with feta cheese, pistachios, and a light sprinkling of cayenne pepper. Garnish with dill sprigs if desired.
Chef Tips and Tricks:
- Different Greek yogurt brands have different consistencies; some are quite thick, such as Fage. If your favorite Greek yogurt is thinner, strain it through cheesecloth for several hours or overnight for an extra-thick, luxurious sauce base. Adding olive oil to super thick yogurt helps thin it so it’s easier to spread while adding flavor.
- Cut the zucchini into uniform planks to cook at the same rate and not fall apart on the grill. I cut each of my zucchini into three long planks that were approximately 1/3-inch thick, thicker than those used in my Zucchini Ravioli.
- This dish is delicious hot off the grill, but it also works beautifully served at room temperature for easy entertaining.
Recipe FAQs:
Yes, as shown, a grill pan works very well. You can also broil the zucchini or roast it in the oven.
Brush it lightly with olive oil, slice it evenly, don’t overcrowd the grill, and cook quickly over high heat.
The dill yogurt can be prepared a day in advance; cover and chill until ready to use. Grill the zucchini closer to serving for the best texture.
VARIATIONS:
- Use grilled eggplant rounds in place of zucchini.
Serve grilled zucchini with:
- Mediterranean Fish Recipe en Papillote
- Mediterranean Fish and White Bean Skillet
- Chicken with Romesco
- Middle Eastern Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
More great zucchini recipes you’ll love!
- Zucchini Quiche
- Zucchini Ricotta Fritters
- Zucchini Corn Fritters with Basil Buttermilk Sauce
- Zucchini Corn Casserole
Get all my vegetable side dish recipes at Vegetable Side Dish Recipes – From A Chef’s Kitchen.
Mediterranean Grilled Zucchini with Dill Yogurt and Feta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt, preferably full-fat
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided (see note below about whether to use all the olive oil)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, plus a few sprigs for garnish if desired
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 small zucchini, (1 1/2 pounds)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup pistachios, coarsely chopped (measure first, then chop)
- Cayenne pepper, to taste and tolerance
Instructions
- Combine the yogurt, half the olive oil, lemon juice, dill, garlic, and salt and black pepper to taste in a small bowl. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to serve. NOTE: ONLY ADD THE OLIVE OIL TO THE YOGURT IF THE YOGURT YOU'RE USING IS EXTREMELY THICK, LIKE FAGE.
- Cut the zucchini into three planks each. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the zucchini for 2-3 minutes per side or to desired doneness.
- Spread the yogurt combination onto a platter. Top with the zucchini. Sprinkle with feta cheese, pistachios and a light sprinkling of cayenne pepper.
- Garnish with dill sprigs if desired.
Notes
- If you’re not a feta fan, goat cheese is a great substitute.
- Although not as visually appealing, almonds, walnuts, or pine nuts can be used instead of pistachios. If a nut allergy exists, substitute sunflower seeds.
- Greek yogurt varies in thickness—strain thinner brands for a creamier sauce, or add olive oil to thick yogurt to loosen it and boost flavor.
- Slice zucchini into uniform ⅓-inch planks so they cook evenly and stay intact on the grill.
- Serve hot off the grill or at room temperature—perfect for easy entertaining.
- The dill yogurt can be prepared a day in advance; cover and chill until ready to use. Grill the zucchini closer to serving for the best texture.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are automatically calculated using unbranded products and are estimates only. Actual results may vary based on ingredients used and portion sizes. Adjust as needed for dietary restrictions, allergies, or health concerns.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
This was so delicious! What magic of flavor and textures! And so simple. Thank you!
Hi, Heather, Thanks so very much and so great to hear from you! Happy you love this recipe and appreciate you coming back to let me know. It really does take humble zucchini to another level!
I made this and it was so simple to prep and so delicious. I didn’t have fresh dill so used dried. And I didn’t make a bed with the yogurt but kept it separate along with the feta and pistachios. So it was a put together as you like, in case someone didn’t want the feta, etc. I will definitely make this again. Thank you!
Hi, Christine, Thank you so much!! Appreciate you taking the time to try it and coming back to comment and rate.
This is yummy, even with dried dill! Use 1/3 the amount of fresh and give it some time to “bloom.” We are keeping this.
Hi, Zelda, Thanks so much and so happy you love this recipe as much as we do! Appreciate you giving it a try and taking the time to come back and comment and rate.