Grilled Eggplant (or Roasted)

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Packed with flavor and deliciously nutritious, this Grilled Eggplant recipe (or Roasted Eggplant recipe, whichever method you prefer) is sure to become a regular whenever eggplants are in season.  It makes a versatile side dish and a tasty ingredient you can incorporate into a variety of dishes.  In this tutorial I’ll show you how to grill eggplant, how to roast eggplant, and how to fry it – all with delicious results!

It’s autumn and the eggplants in our garden are still going absolutely gangbusters, far more than I can keep up with.  I’ve been giving them away to anyone who will take them and finding new ways to make use of them in my kitchen.  One of my latest ventures was to recreate some pickled eggplants we enjoyed during our recent trip to Puglia in the southeast region of Italy.  They were delicious (recipe to come)!  My most recent use of our eggplants:  Grilled Eggplant.  Slathered with a simple blend of olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper, then grilled or roasted, the result is simply delicious.

This grilled eggplant is not only delicious, it’s far more versatile than you may realize.  Not only does it make a fabulous side dish, it can also be used to create some delicious appetizers and used as an ingredient you can incorporate into a wide variety of dishes.  See below for more ideas.

You can use any variety of eggplant.  I’m growing 6 different varieties this year, all roast or grill equally well, it just comes down to your preference in size, diameter, whether you want to slice them or dice them.

How to Serve Grilled Eggplant

Grilled eggplant can be served as a side dish to accompany chicken, beef, pork, lamb or fish.  It can be served along with rice or pilaf, with a green salad, or with some good crusty bread or flatbread like lavash, naan, or focaccia.  But aside from making a versatile side dish, there are additional ways you can use grilled eggplant:

• In Sandwiches and Wraps:  Layer it with things like lettuce, tomato, mozzarella cheese, roasted red peppers, and your favorite condiments.  It’s delicious!
• On Pizza:  Slice the grilled eggplant into strips and lay them on the pizza along with tomatoes, cheese, peppers, and your other favorite toppings.
• In Salads:  Dice or slice the grilled eggplant and add it to salads for a smoky element. It goes great with Mediterranean-style salads with ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese.
• In Pasta Dishes:  Chop the grilled eggplant and add it to warm pasta dishes or pasta salads.  It pairs nicely with tomato sauce-based pastas or Mediterranean-style pasta with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and feta cheese.
• Eggplant Parmesan:  Use the grilled eggplant to make a flavorful eggplant Parmesan.
• Moussaka:  Use the grilled eggplant in place of regular to make an extra flavorful moussaka.
• Eggplant Roll-Ups:  If you cut the eggplant lengthwise to make long slices, you can use the grilled eggplant for roll-ups.  Combine cream cheese, feta cheese, finely diced roasted red bell pepper, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper, spread some on each grilled eggplant slice, roll it up and chill before serving.  It makes a fabulous appetizer.
• Dip:  Blend the grilled eggplant with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil to make a smoky and flavorful baba ganoush.
• In Antipasto Platters:  Serve the grilled eggplant as part of your antipasto platter or cheese and charcuterie board along with other grilled and marinated vegetables like roasted red peppers, marinated olives, artichoke hearts, pickled asparagus, pickled onions, etc.

Grilled Eggplant Flavor Variations

You can use any herb of choice.  We’re using thyme in this recipe (one of my favorites) but you can also use other herbs such as oregano, rosemary, basil, tarragon, and parsley or any combination of herbs.  Or skip the herbs and sprinkle them with our homemade Za’atar for a delicious Middle Eastern flavor.  Or if you’re more in the mood for Greek, use our fabulous homemade Greek Seasoning.  Serve the Greek grilled eggplant with some tzatziki on the side.

If you’d like some heat try adding some red pepper flakes.  Another nice flavor option is to add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or balsamic vinegar reduction just before serving.  And if you really want to take your grilled eggplant to the next level, crumble some feta cheese over them.

The possibilities are endless – let your imagination be your guide!

Grilled Eggplant Recipe

Let’s get started!

Slice the eggplant into 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick rounds, depending on your preference.  You can also slice it into lengthwise strips if you prefer.  Lay them in a single layer on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and sprinkle both sides with some salt.  Let the sit for at least 20 minutes to draw out the moisture.  Pat both sides with a paper towel.

In a small bowl, add the olive oil, garlic, herbs and pepper.

Let this sit while the eggplants are sitting to enable the garlic and herbs to mingle with the oil.

Use a spoon to put a little of the olive oil mixture on each side of the eggplants, using the back of the spoon to spread it across the surface.  The eggplants are now ready to cook.

Cooking Options

You have a few options at this point:  Grill them on the barbecue, roast them in the oven, fry them in a ribbed skillet to get the grill marks, or air fry them.  Any of these methods will produce delicious results.

How to Grill Eggplant

If you’re grilling the eggplant, preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450°F or 200-230°C).  Make sure you brush both sides of the eggplant with the olive oil mixture to prevent it from sticking to the grates.  Place the eggplant slices directly on the grill grates and grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until they are tender and have nice grill marks. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your slices and the heat of your grill.

How to Roast Eggplant in the Oven

If you’re using the oven, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).  Lay the eggplant on a lined baking sheet, spoon over the garlic-herb olive oil, and roast for 30-35 minutes or until the eggplant begins to brown.

How to Pan Fry Eggplant

Heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add the eggplant in batches and fry for 3-6 minutes on each side or until softened and browned.  Repeat with the remaining eggplant.   Add more oil to the skillet as needed.  In the pics below I’m using my Lodge ribbed cast iron skillet to get those nice grill marks.

Place the finished eggplant on a plate or baking sheet in a warmed oven while you finish cooking the remaining eggplant.

Serve the eggplant with some chopped parsley for garnish if desired.  For an additional flavor boost you can give the eggplant a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar or balsamic vinegar reduction.  To bump things up even further you can sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese over them.

Enjoy!

For more delicious eggplant dishes be sure to try our:

• Eggplant Curry
• Greek Meatballs
• Moussaka
• Baba Ganoush