Description
This grilled eggplant recipe features tender, smoky eggplant slices enhanced with a flavorful garlic sauce made from rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Perfect as a side dish or paired with your favorite protein, it’s a quick and healthy vegetarian option that takes just 30 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 large eggplants
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic Sauce
- 6 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Instructions
- Prepare the grill: Oil the grates of your grill to prevent sticking and turn the grill on to high heat to get it properly heated for cooking.
- Slice the eggplant: Cut the eggplants into round slices approximately 1 inch thick, ensuring even size for consistent cooking.
- Season the eggplant: Brush both sides of each eggplant slice generously with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Grill the eggplant: Place the eggplant slices onto the preheated grill. Cook until the slices are slightly charred and tender, turning once to cook both sides evenly. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Make the garlic sauce: While the eggplant grills, use a mortar and pestle to smash the garlic into a paste. Transfer this paste into a small bowl, then stir in the rice vinegar, low sodium soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
- Serve: Once grilled, arrange the eggplant slices on a serving plate. Drizzle the prepared garlic sauce over the top and garnish with chopped fresh mint. Serve alongside your favorite protein or as a standalone dish.
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce to keep the sodium content moderate.
- If you don’t have a grill, the eggplant can be cooked on a grill pan or broiled in the oven for similar results.
- The garlic sauce can be made milder or spicier by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes.
- For a vegan recipe, ensure your soy sauce and sesame oil are certified vegan.
- Allow the grilled eggplant to rest a few minutes before serving to enhance flavors.
