Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with Sesame
Eggplant slices caramelized in a savory-sweet miso glaze, served over rice and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds for umami depth. This japanese-inspired vegetarian (gluten-free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs white miso paste, rice vinegar, sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, 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, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds eggplant
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 tbsp, toasted sesame seeds
- 2, thinly sliced green onions
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk miso paste, rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce in a bowl until smooth. Place eggplant slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and brush with 2 tbsp miso glaze.
- Step 2: Broil in the top rack of a preheated oven at 425°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping once, until edges are golden and caramelized.
- Step 3: Heat a small skillet over medium-high, add sesame oil, and toast sesame seeds until golden and fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Step 4: Divide cooked rice into bowls, top with glazed eggplant, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and green onions, and drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp miso glaze.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with Sesame take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with 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 Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with 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 Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with Sesame for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Miso-Glazed Eggplant Donburi with Sesame gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
