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How to Make Zucchini Noodles That Aren’t Watery

By: Author Pamela Baker

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Zucchini naturally contains a lot of water. Follow these 6 tips to make zucchini noodles (zoodles) that aren’t watery.

Zoodles are a low carb and healthy alternative to traditional pasta. But, zucchini naturally contains a lot of water.

Zucchini naturally contains a lot of water, but your dishes don’t have to be watery when you follow these tips to learn how to make zucchini noodles, also called zoodles, that aren’t watery.

If you are new to making zucchini noodles, which are also called zoodles, or not pleased with your watery results, you can save yourself a lot of frustration by following a few easy tips.

These tips are a result of my testing (also known as trial and error) and they have proven themselves worthy of sharing. Honestly, I’m hoping they’ll save you from being frustrated like I was when I first started trying to make zoodles that were yummy and edible!

Tips to Making Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini naturally contains a lot of water, but your dishes don’t have to be watery when you follow these tips to learn how to make zucchini noodles, also called zoodles, that aren’t watery.

Tip #1: Use a Spiralizer

Although a spiralizer won’t help to make your zucchini noodles less watery, it is a necessary kitchen tool to produce zoodles.

Zucchini naturally contains a lot of water, but your dishes don’t have to be watery when you follow these tips to learn how to make zucchini noodles, also called zoodles, that aren’t watery.

I use a spiralizer attachment for my Kitchenaid Stand Mixer and I love it! Here are a few other options, you may want to consider:

Tip #2: Squeeze the Zoodles

Once you spiralize your zucchini, place the zoodles in a kitchen towel or few layers of paper towels and squeeze the moisture from the zoodles.

Tip #3: Use Paper Towels

Once you squeeze some of the moisture from the zoodles, line a plate or bowl with a couple layers of fresh paper towels. Then add the zoodles to the paper towel lined dish. You’ll also want to cover the zoodles with paper towels. But, first, follow tip #4.

Zucchini naturally contains a lot of water, but your dishes don’t have to be watery when you follow these tips to learn how to make zucchini noodles, also called zoodles, that aren’t watery.

Tip #4: Add Salt

After you’ve spiralized your zucchini noodles, squeezed some of the moisture from the zoodles and placed them in a paper-towel lined bowl, you’ll want to sprinkle salt over the zoodles.

Then toss the noodles slightly and sprinkle on more salt. Cover the zoodles with a layer or two of paper towels.

Tip #5: Let Rest for 30 Minutes

Let the zucchini noodles rest in the paper towel lined bowl for 30 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much more moisture the salt helps to putt out of the zoodles!

Next, you’ll be ready to cook your zoodles.

Tip #6: Cook Zoodles Without a Lid

After letting the zucchini noodles rest for 30 minutes, it’s time to cook those zoodles. Use a non-stick skillet over medium heat, add some finely chopped garlic to the skillet and add your prepared zoodles.

Do not add any oil and do not cover the skillet with a lid. Cook the zoodles for 8-10 minutes, turning gently.

You shouldn’t see any (or at least very little) water. If you do, just drain it off and continue cooking. Just don’t overlook the zoodles. They should still be pretty firm. You don’t want mushy noodles.

Learn how to make zucchini noodles that aren’t watery!

Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini naturally contains a lot of water, but your dishes don’t have to be watery when you follow these tips to learn how to make zucchini noodles, also called zoodles, that aren’t watery.

Ingredients

  • Zucchini

Instructions

Tip #1: Use a Spiralizer

Although a spiralizer won’t help to make your zucchini noodles less watery, it is a necessary kitchen tool to produce zoodles.

I use a spiralizer attachment for my Kitchenaid Stand Mixer and I love it! Here are a few other options, you may want to consider:

Spiralizer 5-Blade Vegetable Slicer

OXO Spiralizer

OXO Good Grips Handheld Spiralizer

TIP #2: SQUEEZE THE ZOODLES

Once you spiralize your zucchini, place the zoodles in a kitchen towel or few layers of paper towels and squeeze the moisture from the zoodles.

TIP #3: USE PAPER TOWELS

Once you squeeze some of the moisture from the zoodles, line a plate or bowl with a couple layers of fresh paper towels. Then add the zoodles to the paper towel lined dish. You’ll also want to cover the zoodles with paper towels. But, first, follow tip #4.

TIP #4: ADD SALT

After you’ve spiralized your zucchini noodles, squeezed some of the moisture from the zoodles and placed them in a paper-towel lined bowl, you’ll want to sprinkle salt over the zoodles.

Then toss the noodles slightly and sprinkle on more salt. Cover the zoodles with a layer or two of paper towels.

TIP #5: LET REST FOR 30 MINUTES

Let the zucchini noodles rest in the paper towel lined bowl for 30 minutes. You’ll be amazed at how much more moisture the salt helps to putt out of the zoodles!Next, you’ll be ready to cook your zoodles.

TIP #6: COOK ZOODLES WITHOUT A LID

After letting the zucchini noodles rest for 30 minutes, it’s time to cook those zoodles. Use a non-stick skillet over medium heat, add some finely chopped garlic to the skillet and add your prepared zoodles.

Do not add any oil and do not cover the skillet with a lid. Cook the zoodles for 8-10 minutes, turning gently.

You shouldn’t see any (or at least very little) water. If you do, just drain it off and continue cooking. Just don’t overlook the zoodles. They should still be pretty firm. You don’t want mushy noodles.

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© Pam Baker, The Birch Cottage

How to Use Your Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles)

Now that you’ve learned how to make zucchini noodles that aren’t watery. You might be wondering how to use your zoodles.

Zoodles – The Pasta Substitute

We use zoodles simply as a low carb and healthy substitute for pasta. We had a very fruitful garden this summer and I’ve been able to make homemade tomato sauce to go with our homemade zoodles.

I’ve made zoodles and meatballs and I’ve also make baked lasagna – both are amazing and I highly recommend!

Zoodles – The Gluten-Free Alternative

Did you know that zucchini noodles are also a gluten-free pasta substitute as well?

Zoodle Recipes

Here are a few other recipes you might enjoy that incorporate zucchini noodles:

Much to my surprise, my husband loves the zoodles! He says they have so much more flavor than regular pasta. But, you gotta get rid of the watery-ness.

More Low Carb Recipe Ideas

If you are enjoyed reading my tips on how to make zoodles that aren’t watery and are maybe looking for more low carb recipe ideas, you just might like these from The Birch Cottage:

Til next time…

Pam Baker from The Birch Cottage

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Zucchini naturally contains a lot of water, but your dishes don’t have to be watery when you follow these tips to learn how to make zucchini noodles, also called zoodles, that aren’t watery.

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