Fresh zucchini is pan-fried with delicious Asian flavors and ingredients. This easy Asian pan-fried zucchini is a healthy recipe that is a great side dish at any time of the year. This recipe can easily be made as a Whole30, Paleo, soy-free recipe by simply using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
We are in the middle of Summer and zucchini is widely available in our area right now. This is a perfect recipe to whip up when you have an abundant supply of fresh zucchini around and in season, hence why we just had to make this recipe for you. Although, as much as we try to purchase produce while it’s in-season, this recipe is great to make any time of the year if you can find zucchini.
Key features and tips
This recipe is so easy to make but takes a little love in the cooking process. We’re pan-frying these zucchini slices and not stir-frying. This will give the zucchini a nice brown coating on both sides while preventing the zucchini slices from breaking apart as it would if you were to stir it around like a traditional stir-fry. We suggest adding the zucchini to the pan in a single layer so the slices don’t overlap and each slice makes good contact with the pan. Turn over once you see one side is getting nicely browned and cooked. Once one batch of pan-fried zucchini slices is done, then repeat the process until all your zucchini is cooked.
If you need this recipe to be Whole30, soy-free, or Paleo-friendly, then simply substitute the soy sauce with coconut aminos instead.
Ingredients needed for this zucchini recipe
- Large-sized Zucchini
- Green onion
- Garlic clove
- Soy sauce (*use coconut aminos instead for Whole30, Paleo or soy-free)
- Fish sauce (*make sure your fish sauce is compliant if on Whole30)
- Sesame oil
- Red chili pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- Ground black pepper
- Sesame seeds
- Olive oil
How to make our pan-fried zucchini
Step 1: Prepare the zucchini
Slice zucchini into about ¼ inch thick round pieces.
Step 2: Let’s pan-fry
Add olive oil to a frypan and turn on the stove to medium-high heat.
Add sliced zucchini to the pan in a single layer and cook for about 1 minute on each side. Work in batches until all zucchini is cooked, and add more oil as necessary.
Remove cooked zucchini from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Make the sauce
Combine green onions, garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, crushed hot pepper, black pepper, and sesame seeds in a bowl and mix it well.
Step 4: Layer the zucchini with the sauce
Create one layer of zucchini to a dish or plate. Add a thin layer of sauce on top of each zucchini slice. Continue the layering and putting sauce on each zucchini slice process until everything is used up. Enjoy!
Serving suggestions
We suggest eating this with some freshly steamed white rice or even add this as a side to ramen or soup. If you need to stay low carb, then serve this zucchini alongside a protein-based main dish.
We hope you enjoy our easy Asian pan-fried zucchini recipe!
More side dishes to try
- Easy Korean Spicy Green Onions (Pa Namul)
- Green Cabbage Kimchi
- Easy Stir-fried Bok Choy
- Korean-style Fresh Cucumber and Chive Salad
- Korean Spicy Stir-Fried Eggplant
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Easy Asian Pan-Fried Zucchini
Fresh zucchini is pan-fried with delicious Asian flavors and ingredients. This easy Asian pan-fried zucchini is a healthy recipe that is a great side dish option at any time of the year. This recipe can easily be made as a Whole30, Paleo, soy-free recipe by simply using coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 Large-sized Zucchini
- 1 green onion, chopped fine
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (*use coconut aminos instead for Whole30, Paleo or soy-free)
- ½ tbsp fish sauce (*make sure your fish sauce is compliant if on Whole30)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp red chili pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Slice zucchini into about ¼ inch thick round pieces.
- Add olive oil to a frypan and turn on the stove to medium-high heat.
- Add sliced zucchini to the pan in a single layer and cook for about 1 minute on each side. Work in batches until all zucchini is cooked, and add more oil as necessary.
- Remove cooked zucchini from the pan and set aside.
- Combine green onions, garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, crushed hot pepper, black pepper, and sesame seeds in a bowl and mix it well.
- Create one layer of zucchini to a dish or plate. Add a thin layer of sauce on top of each zucchini slice. Continue the layering and putting sauce on each zucchini slice process until everything is used up.
- Enjoy!
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