What is a typical reverse recovery time for a zener diode, or is reverse recovery time not applicable to zener diodes?
If you are using the zener how it is naturally intended i.e. with a reverse voltage applied through a current limiting device such as a resistor, then reverse recovery exits the building because it simply doesn't apply. However, if you are using the zener as a conventional diode i.e. below its zener voltage in reverse and as a normal diode in forward conduction, then reverse recovery does apply when it goes from forward conduction to reverse biased. However, it's unlikely that you'll get many data sheets goinf into detail about it except quite high power devices.

However (and I know it's not the same thing), if you read most data sheets they will tell you about the zener's capacitance and this may cause a significant (but transient) reverse current flow when going from forward conduction to reverse bias and it is akin the reverse recovery in its symptoms.


  or is reverse recovery time not applicable to zener diodes?


It is applicable but in 99% of the time, it doesn't play a factor in normal operation and good luck trying to find one with it stated.