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Easy Zucchini Butter

Featured in Elevate Any Dish with Homemade Sauces & Marinades.

Turn zucchini into a smooth, savory butter with garlic and herbs. Awesome for toast, crackers, or as a veggie dip.
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Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:53:54 GMT
A jar of smooth green spread with a spoon on a wood table, surrounded by sliced zucchini and toasted bread. Pin it
A jar of smooth green spread with a spoon on a wood table, surrounded by sliced zucchini and toasted bread. | linacooks.com

One summer, my garden went wild with zucchini, and that's when I stumbled upon zucchini butter. It's now my go-to method for turning this simple veggie into something incredible. When you cook it slowly with olive oil, garlic and herbs, it becomes this amazing savory spread that boosts the flavor of everything from plain toast to fancy pasta.

The Simple Garden Magic

It's like bottling up summer. Your pile of zucchini melts down into something thick and jam-like that's bursting with taste. It's great for using up extra garden veggies or making something wonderful from basic ingredients. You'll find yourself whipping this up repeatedly once you give it a try.

What You'll Need

  • Main Ingredient: Garden-fresh zucchini or grab some from your local farmers market.
  • Quality Base: Pick your nicest olive oil as it really stands out in this recipe.
  • Aromatic Additions: Whole cloves of garlic and sprigs of fresh thyme lift all the flavors.
  • Zesty Finish: A splash of fresh lemon juice cuts through the deep cooked notes.

Cooking Steps

Begin Cooking
Heat the olive oil in your largest frying pan until you see a slight shimmer.
Handle Your Veggies
Grate zucchini directly into your heated pan to cut down on cleanup, and don't bother with any tough seeds.
Boost With Seasonings
Tuck whole garlic cloves and fresh thyme throughout and sprinkle generously with salt.
Go Low And Slow
Allow everything to simmer gently, giving an occasional stir until it transforms into a soft, spreadable mixture in about half an hour.
A platter of toasted bread slices topped with creamy cheese and green pesto, alongside a jar of pesto. Pin it
A platter of toasted bread slices topped with creamy cheese and green pesto, alongside a jar of pesto. | linacooks.com

Pro Tips

Grating right into your pan makes this so easy and fast. Always keep the temperature low so flavors can blend without burning. Don't substitute dried herbs—fresh ones truly matter here. And always finish with that lemon squeeze at the end, it really perks up the whole dish.

Serving Ideas

Layer it thick on crunchy toast with a dollop of fresh ricotta. Mix it through hot pasta with grated parmesan for a quick meal. I sometimes use it to jazz up sandwiches or top grilled chicken pieces. It adds something special to almost any dish.

Storage Tips

This butter stays fresh in your fridge for a week. Want to hang onto summer a bit longer? Pop small portions in the freezer for up to 6 months. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge and give a quick stir before you use them.

Tasty Twists

Swap in yellow squash for the zucchini or add some grated tomato. Play around with different herbs like rosemary instead of thyme. If you enjoy spicy food, toss in some red pepper flakes. Every batch can be totally different.

A bowl of smooth, green zucchini mash is placed beside slices of bread and a whole zucchini on the countertop. Pin it
A bowl of smooth, green zucchini mash is placed beside slices of bread and a whole zucchini on the countertop. | linacooks.com

Personal Touches

I like to mix in a spoon of cream cheese for extra richness sometimes. Adding sundried tomatoes brings nice color and deeper flavor. Fresh basil or parsley stirred in at the end gives it a lift. Do what feels right—that's what makes cooking so fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long can I keep zucchini butter?
It stays good for a week in the fridge if sealed tight. Or, freeze it and enjoy for up to 6 months.
→ Can I try herbs besides thyme?
Sure, go for rosemary, basil, or even dill. Thyme’s awesome, but mix it up with what you like!
→ Why’s my zucchini butter so runny?
Zucchini’s loaded with water. Cook it longer till it thickens up to your liking.
→ What pairs well with zucchini butter?
Spread it on toast, crackers, or fresh bread. It’s also great for dipping veggies or stirring into pasta.
→ Should I peel the zucchini?
No need! The peel brings color and nutrients. Just chop off the ends and any bad spots.

Easy Zucchini Butter

Silky zucchini butter packed with garlic and fresh herbs. Great for tossing on bread or veggies.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Sauces & Marinades

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (2.5 cups)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1 teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed.
02 3 garlic cloves, whole.
03 A pinch of sea salt, to your liking.
04 3 medium-large zucchini, around 2.5 pounds total.
05 4 sprigs of thyme, fresh.
06 4 tablespoons olive oil, split up.
07 Freshly cracked black pepper as needed.

Instructions

Step 01

Put 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a big cast iron pan. Heat it gently over medium.

Step 02

Trim both ends off the zucchini. Take out soft middles or seeds if necessary. Grate it over the largest edge of a box grater.

Step 03

Once the pan’s hot, toss in the grated zucchini. Add thyme sprigs and whole garlic cloves. Sprinkle with salt and give it all a good mix.

Step 04

Stir frequently and cook for about 20 to 45 minutes. Lower the heat as it thickens, and splash in a little water if it’s drying out or sticking.

Step 05

Once thick and spreadable, take it off the stove. Remove thyme stems and mash the garlic. Stir in the rest of the olive oil, some pepper, lemon juice, and extra salt if it needs a kick.

Notes

  1. Keep in the fridge for up to 7 days or freeze for as long as 6 months.
  2. Swap the lemon juice with apple cider or red wine vinegar if you prefer.
  3. It’s best enjoyed when served at room temperature.

Tools You'll Need

  • A large cast iron pan.
  • Box grater or a food processor for grating.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • None known.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 36
  • Total Fat: 3 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 3 g
  • Protein: 1 g