Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant Skewers
Tender eggplant chunks brushed with a savory miso glaze and grilled to smoky perfection, ideal for a flavorful vegetarian appetizer or side. This japanese-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs white miso paste, mirin, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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
- 2 medium (about 600g) eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger until smooth.
- Step 2: Thread 2 medium eggplants cut into 1-inch cubes onto soaked wooden skewers, about 8-10 cubes per skewer.
- Step 3: Brush the miso glaze generously over the eggplant pieces. Let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, basting with remaining glaze, until eggplant is tender and charred at edges.
- Step 5: Remove from grill and sprinkle 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced scallions over the skewers before serving warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 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 Skewers?
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 Skewers?
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 Skewers 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 Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant Skewers 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.
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