Baked Japanese Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Scallions
Tender eggplant halves roasted with a savory-sweet miso glaze and topped with fresh scallions for an umami-rich vegetarian dish. This japanese-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs small Japanese eggplants, white miso paste, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 small Japanese eggplants
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sake
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup sliced scallions
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut 4 small Japanese eggplants in half lengthwise and score the flesh with a knife in a crisscross pattern without cutting through the skin.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp sake, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tbsp vegetable oil until smooth and glossy.
- Step 3: Brush the miso glaze generously over the cut sides of the eggplant halves. Place them cut side up on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Step 4: Roast the eggplants in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the flesh is soft and caramelized, and the glaze is bubbling.
- Step 5: Remove from oven and sprinkle 1/4 cup sliced scallions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds on top before serving warm as a side or main vegetarian dish.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Japanese Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Japanese Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Scallions?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep small japanese eggplants from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Japanese Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Scallions?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Japanese Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Scallions for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Baked Japanese Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Scallions vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.