Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Scallions and Sesame
Tender eggplant slices brushed with a savory-sweet miso glaze, grilled until caramelized and topped with fresh scallions and toasted sesame seeds. This japanese-inspired grilling (vegetarian) ready in about 22 minutes pairs medium eggplants, white miso paste, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 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.
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 3 stalks scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Slice 2 medium eggplants lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slabs. Brush both sides with 2 tbsp vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp sesame oil until smooth and glossy.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium heat (about 375°F). Place eggplant slices on the grill and cook for 4 minutes until grill marks appear.
- Step 4: Flip the eggplant and brush the grilled side generously with the miso glaze. Grill for another 3-4 minutes until tender and caramelized.
- Step 5: Remove eggplant from grill and brush the other side with remaining miso glaze. Garnish with 3 thinly sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Scallions and Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 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 medium eggplants from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Miso-Glazed Eggplant 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 with Scallions and Sesame 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 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Authentic and delicious, as expected from a Japanese dish.
- ★★★★★
This was a hit at my dinner party! The miso glaze was perfect.
- ★★★★☆
Took longer than expected to grill, but the flavor was great.