Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with Scallions and Sesame
Tender grilled eggplant brushed with a savory-sweet miso glaze, served over steaming white rice and topped with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions. This japanese-inspired rice & grains (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs white miso paste, mirin, sake for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 3, 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
- 2 medium, halved lengthwise Japanese eggplants
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sake
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cups cooked short-grain rice
- 3 stalks, thinly sliced scallions
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp, for drizzling soy sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp sake, and 1 tbsp sugar until smooth and glossy.
- Step 2: Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Brush 2 halved Japanese eggplants lengthwise with 1 tbsp vegetable oil.
- Step 3: Grill the eggplant halves cut side down for 4-5 minutes until tender and grill marks appear. Flip and brush cut sides generously with the miso glaze.
- Step 4: Grill the glazed sides for an additional 3-4 minutes, basting with more glaze halfway, until caramelized and sticky.
- Step 5: To serve, divide 3 cups cooked short-grain rice between 3 bowls. Place a grilled eggplant half on top of each bowl.
- Step 6: Sprinkle each with 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 3 thinly sliced scallions. Drizzle 1 tsp soy sauce over the eggplant for extra umami.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with Scallions and Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with Scallions and Sesame?
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 white miso paste from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with Scallions and Sesame?
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 Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with Scallions and Sesame for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with Scallions and Sesame 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.
