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Savory Garlic-Butter Hibachi Grilled Zucchini

Savory garlic-butter hibachi grilled zucchini with deeply golden, flat-top char and soy that caramelizes into glossy coating. Quick hibachi-style zucchini rounds are tossed with garlic, sesame oil, and finished with sesame seeds and green onions for that Japanese steakhouse feel.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Japanese-American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Zucchini hibachi
  • 4 zucchini Sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
  • 3 tbsp butter Divided
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 5 garlic Minced; 5 cloves
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt To taste
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper To taste
  • 2 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions Thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce For hibachi dipping sauce
  • 1 tbsp ginger For hibachi dipping sauce; adjust to taste

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet
  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Heat and brown the butter
  1. Heat a large flat-top griddle, cast iron skillet, or Blackstone to high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and let it melt and begin to brown.
  2. Add zucchini rounds in a single layer. Cook without moving 3–4 minutes until deeply golden on the bottom.
Finish with garlic and caramelized soy
  1. Flip each round. Add remaining butter and garlic to the pan and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the zucchini and toss to coat. Cook 2–3 more minutes until the soy caramelizes.
Season and serve
  1. Sprinkle with garlic powder, sesame seeds, and green onions. Serve immediately with dipping sauce made from soy sauce and ginger.

Notes

For the best char, make sure the zucchini rounds are in a single layer with space between them so the flat-top heat can drive browning. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a hot skillet or griddle until warmed through, not fully re-caramelized. Freezing is not recommended because zucchini releases water and softens. Vegetarian-friendly swap: keep as-is (all ingredients are plant-based except butter—use vegan butter if needed).