Are you tired of the same old boiled or sautéed zucchini dishes? Look no further! This summer, give your taste buds a treat with these 18 flavorfully simple steamed zucchini recipes. From classic combinations like garlic butter and lemon herb to international-inspired flavors like Asian-style sesame and curry infused, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy side dish or a healthy main course option, our collection of steamed zucchini recipes has something for everyone. With a variety of herbs, spices, and seasonings to choose from, you’ll never get bored with the same old flavor profile again.
Garlic Butter Steamed Zucchini
This recipe brings out the natural sweetness of zucchini while adding a rich and savory flavor from garlic butter. Perfect as a side dish or added to your favorite meals.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium-sized zucchinis
– 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Fill a large pot with 2-3 inches of water and bring to a boil.
2. Meanwhile, slice the zucchinis into 1-inch thick rounds.
3. In a small bowl, mix together softened butter and minced garlic until well combined.
4. Place the zucchini slices on a steamer basket or directly into the pot (if using a metal insert).
5. Drizzle the garlic butter mixture evenly over the zucchinis.
6. Cover the pot and steam for 8-10 minutes, or until the zucchinis are tender but still crisp.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Lemon Herb Steamed Zucchini
Brighten up your plate with this refreshing summer side dish! This simple recipe combines the natural sweetness of zucchini with the brightness of lemon and herbs, making it a perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium-sized zucchinis
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Rinse the zucchinis under cold water, then pat them dry with a paper towel.
2. In a large pot, bring 2-3 inches of water to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and steam the zucchinis for 8-10 minutes, or until they’re tender when pierced with a fork.
4. While the zucchinis are steaming, mix together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley in a small bowl.
5. Once the zucchinis are cooked, remove them from the pot and brush them with the lemon-herb mixture.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Parmesan Steamed Zucchini Slices
Elevate your meals with this simple and flavorful recipe that brings out the natural sweetness of zucchinis. Perfect as a side dish or added to pasta, salads, or sandwiches.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium zucchinis
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat a steamer basket over boiling water.
2. Slice the zucchinis into 1/8-inch thick rounds.
3. Place the zucchini slices in the steamer basket, leaving some space between each slice.
4. Drizzle olive oil over the zucchinis and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Steam for 6-8 minutes, or until tender but still crisp.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
Cooking Time: 6-8 minutes
Spicy Chili Steamed Zucchini
A flavorful and healthy twist on traditional steamed zucchini, this recipe adds a spicy kick from chili flakes and a burst of flavor from garlic. Perfect as a side dish or added to your favorite meals.
Ingredients:
– 4 medium-sized zucchinis
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions:
1. Preheat a steamer basket or metal colander over boiling water.
2. In a small bowl, mix together garlic, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
3. Brush the zucchinis with olive oil and sprinkle the garlic-chili mixture evenly over each squash.
4. Place the zucchinis in the steamer basket and steam for 8-10 minutes, or until tender.
5. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs if desired.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Steamed Zucchini with Fresh Dill
This simple yet flavorful side dish is perfect for hot summer days or as a light accompaniment to your favorite meals. With the sweetness of zucchini and the brightness of fresh dill, you’ll be hooked!
Ingredients:
– 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low and place the zucchini slices in a steamer basket.
3. Cover the pot with a lid and steam for 4-5 minutes, or until zucchinis are tender but still crisp.
4. Remove from heat and stir in softened butter and chopped fresh dill.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Cooking Time: 4-5 minutes
Balsamic Glazed Steamed Zucchini
Elevate your steamed zucchini game with a rich and tangy balsamic glaze, perfect for a quick and easy side dish or light lunch.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium zucchinis
– 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
– 2 tbsp honey
– 1 tsp olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your steamer basket over boiling water.
2. Wash and slice the zucchinis into 1-inch thick rounds.
3. In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar, honey, and olive oil. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
4. Steam the zucchini for 5-7 minutes or until tender.
5. Brush the warm zucchini with the balsamic glaze during the last minute of steaming.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Steamed Zucchini and Carrot Medley
Quickly cook a flavorful medley of zucchinis and carrots with this easy steaming recipe. Perfect as a side dish or add to your favorite stir-fry or soup.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
– 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
– 2 tablespoons water
– Salt, to taste
– Optional: garlic powder, lemon juice, or other seasonings of your choice
Instructions:
1. Fill a large steamer basket with the zucchini and carrot slices.
2. Place the basket over boiling water in a large pot, ensuring it’s not touching the water.
3. Cover the pot with a lid and steam for 8-10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork.
4. Remove from heat and season with salt to taste. If desired, add garlic powder, lemon juice, or other seasonings.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Asian-Style Sesame Steamed Zucchini
This recipe is a delightful twist on traditional steaming, adding the nutty flavor of sesame oil and crunchy texture of toasted sesame seeds to tender zucchini. Perfect as a side dish or added to your favorite stir-fry.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium zucchinis
– 1/4 cup sesame oil
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1 teaspoon grated ginger
– 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your steamer according to manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Cut the zucchinis into bite-sized slices or sticks.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, and grated ginger.
4. Place the zucchini in the steamer basket and brush with the sesame oil mixture.
5. Steam for 8-10 minutes, or until tender but still crisp.
6. Remove from heat and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Steamed Zucchini with Tomato Basil
This classic summer side dish is a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Simply steam zucchini until tender, then top it with a flavorful mixture of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium zucchinis
– 1 large tomato, diced
– 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
Instructions:
1. Rinse the zucchinis under cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Place the zucchinis in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover the pot with a lid and steam for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the diced tomato, chopped basil, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Once the zucchinis are cooked, remove them from the heat and top each one with the tomato-basil mixture.
5. If using mozzarella cheese, sprinkle it on top of the tomatoes.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Cajun Spiced Steamed Zucchini
Add a kick of flavor to your veggies with this simple and delicious recipe. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or as a side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium zucchinis
– 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
– 1/4 tsp paprika
– 1/4 tsp garlic powder
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– 2 tbsp water
Instructions:
1. Rinse the zucchinis under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels.
2. In a small bowl, mix together Cajun seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder.
3. Place the zucchinis in a steamer basket over boiling water.
4. Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the zucchinis.
5. Cover the pot and steam for 8-10 minutes, or until tender.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Steamed Zucchini with Feta and Mint
This light and flavorful recipe is perfect for hot summer days when you need a quick and easy side dish that’s packed with flavor. By combining the natural sweetness of zucchini with the tanginess of feta cheese and the brightness of fresh mint, you’ll have a delicious accompaniment to any meal.
Ingredients:
– 4 medium zucchinis
– 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
2. Place the zucchinis in a steamer basket over the boiling water.
3. Cover the pot with a lid and steam for 6-8 minutes, or until the zucchinis are tender.
4. Remove the zucchinis from the pot and top each one with crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh mint leaves.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!
Cooking Time: 6-8 minutes
Rosemary Garlic Steamed Zucchini
A flavorful and healthy side dish that combines the savory flavors of rosemary and garlic with tender steamed zucchini.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
– 2 cloves of garlic, minced
– 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat the steamer basket in a large pot filled with water.
2. In a small bowl, mix together garlic, rosemary, and olive oil.
3. Place the zucchini slices in the steamer basket, leaving some space between each slice.
4. Drizzle the garlic-rosemary mixture evenly over the zucchini.
5. Steam the zucchini for 8-10 minutes or until tender but still crisp.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Steamed Zucchini and Mushroom Mix
This simple recipe brings together the sweetness of zucchini and the earthiness of mushrooms to create a delicious and healthy side dish. Perfect for any meal or as a snack, this mix is easy to prepare and packed with nutrients.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium-sized zucchinis
– 1 cup of mixed mushrooms (button, cremini, shiitake)
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: garlic powder, paprika or other seasonings
Instructions:
1. Cut the zucchinis into bite-sized pieces.
2. Slice the mushrooms thinly.
3. In a large steamer basket, combine the zucchini and mushroom pieces.
4. Steam for 8-10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
5. Remove from heat and drizzle with olive oil. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings desired.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Lime Cilantro Steamed Zucchini
A refreshing twist on a classic vegetable dish, this recipe combines the brightness of lime and cilantro with the tender sweetness of steamed zucchini.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium zucchinis
– 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
– 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat a large pot with a steamer basket to boiling.
2. Slice the zucchinis into 1-inch thick rounds.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the chopped cilantro and lime juice.
4. Place the zucchini slices in the steamer basket and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt to taste.
5. Steam the zucchini for 8-10 minutes, or until tender.
6. Remove from heat and toss with the cilantro-lime mixture.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with additional cilantro if desired.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Steamed Zucchini with Pine Nuts
Ingredients:
– 2 medium-sized zucchinis
– 1/4 cup pine nuts (chopped)
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: 1 clove garlic (minced)
Instructions:
1. Cut the zucchinis into 1-inch slices.
2. Place the zucchini slices in a steamer basket over boiling water.
3. Cover with a lid and steam for 4-5 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.
4. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the chopped pine nuts and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted.
5. Remove the zucchini from the steamer and transfer to a serving dish. Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts and minced garlic (if using) evenly over the top.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Curry Infused Steamed Zucchini
This recipe adds a warm and aromatic twist to the classic steamed zucchini by infusing it with the flavors of curry powder. Perfect as a side dish or added to a variety of meals.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium-sized zucchinis
– 1/4 teaspoon curry powder
– Salt, to taste
– Water, for steaming
Instructions:
1. Preheat your steamer basket with boiling water.
2. Cut the zucchinis into bite-sized pieces and place them in a heatproof bowl.
3. Sprinkle the curry powder evenly over the zucchini slices.
4. Add salt to taste, if desired.
5. Place the bowl in the steamer basket and steam for 8-10 minutes or until the zucchini is tender.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Steamed Zucchini with Red Pepper Flakes
Add a pop of color and heat to your vegetables with this simple recipe. Steaming brings out the natural sweetness of zucchini, while red pepper flakes add a spicy kick.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium zucchinis
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
– 2 tablespoons water
Instructions:
1. Rinse the zucchinis and pat them dry with a paper towel.
2. Place the zucchinis in a steamer basket over boiling water.
3. Cover the pot and steam for 8-10 minutes, or until the zucchinis are tender.
4. Remove the zucchinis from the heat and sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges if desired.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Herbed Yogurt Steamed Zucchini
This recipe combines the natural sweetness of zucchini with the tanginess of yogurt and freshness of herbs, making it a perfect side dish for any meal.
Ingredients:
– 2 medium-sized zucchinis
– 1/2 cup plain yogurt
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat the steamer basket in a pot of boiling water.
2. Slice the zucchinis into 1-inch thick rounds.
3. In a small bowl, mix together yogurt, dill, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper.
4. Place the zucchini slices in the steamed basket.
5. Pour the herbed yogurt mixture over the zucchini.
6. Steam for 8-10 minutes or until the zucchini is tender.
7. Serve warm.
Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes
Summary
Discover the simplicity and flavor of steaming zucchini! This versatile summer squash can be elevated with a variety of seasonings, herbs, and spices. From classic garlic butter to international inspirations like Asian-style sesame and Cajun-spiced, these 18 recipes will inspire you to get creative in the kitchen. Try adding fresh dill, parmesan cheese, or balsamic glaze for a delicious twist. Whether you’re looking for a quick side dish or a healthy main course, these flavorful steamed zucchini recipes are sure to please.
