This low carb side dish of zucchini with feta cheese is a quick and easy recipe that’s full of flavor and great for those on a keto diet. Keep this keto recipe in mind when you have a surplus of zucchini in your garden this summer. You only need 4 simple ingredients, 15 minutes and each serving has only 3.5g net carbohydrates.
You might also like these keto side dishes!
Usually once our garden fresh zucchini starts coming in I make so many zucchini dishes with them. I love fresh zucchini because it’s one of the most versatile keto vegetables. You can eat it as a pasta, stuff it, saute it, fry it, roast it and it goes with just about everything.
So today I’m starting a little early with the zucchini recipes and came up with this keto zucchini with feta side dish. The combination of flavors was really tasty and all I used was butter, fresh thyme leaves and creamy feta cheese with the squash.
This summer zucchini side dish is also low calorie and only takes 15 minutes to make. You make it in a skillet instead of baking in the oven so it’s quicker and less heat in the kitchen. So if you are looking for a keto, summer zucchini dish, try this one out!
Other keto side dishes to try!
Whether you are looking for something to go with your main dish or just for a quick healthy lunch, these low carb sides are easy and tasty and can be meals in of themselves.
- green beans and bacon
- Mediterranean Brussels sprouts
- red curry cabbage noodles
- creamy mushrooms
- parmesan asparagus
- roasted vegetable noodles
- Spanish cauliflower rice
Recipe ingredients I used.
There are only 4 main ingredients in this recipe: yellow squash and green zucchini, feta cheese, fresh thyme leaves and butter. I also added a little salt and black pepper for seasoning.
Sometimes the simplest of recipes have tons of flavor. If you don’t like or have feta, you can try goat cheese too. It has a similar tang like the feta.
You can also use extra virgin olive oil instead of butter if you wish. I love the flavor of butter with vegetables but a good olive oil also works well.
You can also use dried thyme if you don’t have fresh but only use 1 teaspoon of dried.
Tip: 1 teaspoon of dried herb = 3 teaspoons of fresh herbs
How to make this keto zucchini with feta side dish.
This is truly simple but here we go.
STEP 1: Get out a skillet and heat to medium high heat. Add the butter and once it melts turn the heat down to medium heat. Add in the diced squash and thyme.
STEP 2: Season with salt and pepper and continue saute until the zucchini softens and starts to brown.
STEP 3: When it’s at your desired level of cooking take off the burner. I sometimes like to get those really brown zucchini pieces but it can turn to mush so today I just let it brown a little bit.
This should take about 8-10 minutes but cooking time may vary.
STEP 4: Take it off the stove and carefully fold in the crumbles of feta cheese and serve immediately. I used about 2 ounces feta cheese but you can use more or less to your taste.
Store leftovers in an airtight container. Please scroll down to view the printable recipe card.
If you want to try other varieties of this dish.
I have a few ideas of how ou can change up this recipe. First of all you don’t have to use both yellow squash and green zucchini. I just think it makes a nicer presentation.
Other vegetables you can use are peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus, etc. You could also add some toasted pine nuts or walnuts for some added crunch and texture.
If you want to make this more of a meal you can add some cooked shrimp or chicken. And if you don’t care about carbs you can mix in some cooked rice or pasta. It’s very versatile.
You can also use fresh basil to change the flavor a bit. Fresh parsley, dill or oregano would also work but basil has more flavor. Other flavors that you can add are some fresh lemon zest, or a little heat from crushed hot pepper flakes.
I really enjoyed this simple, delicious zucchini with feta side dish. It’s something I would eat for lunch too as it takes just 15 minutes to make and great for my keto diet.
Since I almost always have feta in my fridge and both squash and thyme growing in my garden, I will probably whip up this zucchini side dish often. I hope you like it as much as I did. Enjoy!
And you might also like this keto cheesy baked zucchini casserole you make in the air fryer.
The nutritional information for 1 serving is: 149 calories
13.1g fat / 5g carbs / 1.4g fiber / 5.1g protein = 3.6g net carbohydrates
Feta & Zucchini Low Carb Side Dish Recipe
This is an easy and tasty keto side dish that is perfect with summer zucchini and thyme! The fresh flavor combination of butter, herbs, feta and veggies makes for the perfect summer side dish.
Ingredients
- 4 cups yellow and green zucchini, diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large saute pan and heat to medium high heat. Add the butter and when it's melted turn the heat down to meidum heat.
- Add the raw zucchini and thyme leaves. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Saute until the zucchini mixture has softened and is starting to brown. This should take about 8-10 minutes but cooking time may vary.
- Take off the stove and scatter the feta cheese.
- Slowly fold in the feta and serve. Store leftover in an airtight container.
Notes
The nutritional information for 1 serving is: 149 calories
13.1g fat / 5g carbs / 1.4g fiber / 5.1g protein = 3.6g net carbohydrates
You can substitute goat cheese for the feta or olive oil for the butter. Also try other fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano. Lemon zest would also work well or even a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Lastly you can add cooked chicken, shrimp, pasta or rice to make it more of a meal.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 122Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Nancy M.
I just found this recipe, and tried it last night. Dicing the zucchini makes it so easy to brown all sides, and I love how the simple addition of thyme and feta cheese takes this veggie to a whole new level. This is now part of my regular recipe rotation.
I love every recipe of yours that I’ve tried.
Denise
Thank you Nancy, you made my day!
Patrick
Thank you for this recipe. It’s one of my new favorite sides. Has two of the best qualities for a busy person: quick and delicious.
Denise
Hi Patrick, so glad you liked it! It is very easy but tasty. This is one of my favorite recipe in the summer when we have so much zucchini from the garden. Thanks for coming back to comment!
Sara Welch
This was the perfect side dish with dinner last night! So light and full of flavor!
Neha
I am all about low carb meals right now and have a ton of zucchini lying in wait to be used in this delicious side dish. Thanks for posting it in time! 😉
Tara
Such a great use for zucchini! I love how easily this summer side comes together. Feta is a favorite of mine.
Milica Vladova
Absolutely my kind of dish – low carb, easy, healthy, and with just a few ingredients! 🙂
Tisha
This is a great low carb light side dish! Could eat it for just lunch also!