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Lemony Zucchini With Sour Cream and Dill

4.8

(5)

Lemony Zucchini With Sour Cream and Dill on beige fabric
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua

Cutting zucchini into chunky pieces and giving them a hard sear develops lots of exterior texture and deep color while minimizing sogginess. The dilly sour cream provides a cooling, garlicky counterpart. If dill isn’t your favorite, use another tender summery herb—a handful of basil leaves instead would also be excellent.

This recipe is part of the 2023 Farmers Market Challenge, where we’re celebrating peak-season produce with five-ingredient recipes. Head right this way for the full collection.

All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through the retail links below, we earn an affiliate commission.

What you’ll need

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    40 minutes

  • Yield

    2–4 servings

Ingredients

1

cup sour cream

2

garlic cloves, finely grated

2

Tbsp. finely chopped dill, plus ¼ cup coarsely chopped dill; plus torn sprigs for serving

tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided, plus more

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

4

Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

3

large zucchini (about 1½ lb.), sliced into 1"-thick rounds

Freshly ground pepper

Flaky sea salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Mix 1 cup sour cream, 2 garlic cloves, finely grated, 2 Tbsp. finely chopped dill, and 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a small bowl until well combined; spread evenly over a platter and set aside.

    Step 2

    Whisk zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, and 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt in a medium bowl to combine. Set vinaigrette aside.

    Step 3

    Heat remaining 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Arrange 3 large zucchini (about 1½ lb.), sliced into 1"-thick rounds, in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, until deep golden brown underneath, about 5 minutes. Turn over and cook until deep golden brown on the other side, about 5 minutes.

    Step 4

    Add ¼ cup coarsely chopped dill to pan, season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, and toss gently until combined and dill is wilted. Transfer zucchini mixture to reserved vinaigrette and toss to coat.

    Step 5

    Using a large slotted spoon, transfer zucchini mixture to reserved platter with dill sour cream. Scatter some dill sprigs over, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and season with pepper.

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Reviews (5)

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  • I am trying to figure how long the frying would take! You would probably need two or three cast iron frying pans if it takes 10 minutes for one panful. That's a lot of work and clean-up. However, the recipe sounds delicious!

    • Anonymous

    • Ipswich, MA

    • 7/21/2023

  • I never leave reviews but I need you to know this recipe is SO GOOD!!! I don’t even like zucchini like that! Next time I’m going to serve this with warmed pita…

    • Kedi

    • Minneapolis, MN

    • 8/7/2023

  • Pan frying the zucchini just didn't go right for me. The zucchini was oily for me in the end and I just couldn't get over that. If I did make this again I would probably cut them thinner. The vinaigrette and sour cream were good though!

    • Anonymous

    • Harrisburg, PA

    • 8/14/2023

  • Used yogurt instead of sour cream and it still turned out pretty delicious.

    • Anonymous

    • Ridgewood, Queens

    • 8/31/2023

  • Made this, and the whole family was in love!!

    • Anonymous

    • New York, NY

    • 9/8/2023

  • I replaced sour cream with cream cheese and the recipe worked out well!

    • Anonymous

    • 6/5/2024