Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Spicy Sesame Dressing
Eggplant slices roasted with a savory miso glaze, topped with a hot sesame dressing that adds a warming finish to this Japanese-inspired dish. This Japanese-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs 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 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, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds Japanese eggplants
- 3 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp chili oil
- 1 tbsp, toasted sesame seeds
- 2, thinly sliced scallions
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange 2 medium sliced Japanese eggplants (1/2-inch thick rounds) on a baking sheet and brush both sides with 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Roast for 20 minutes, flipping halfway until tender and golden.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp mirin, and 1 tbsp sugar until smooth.
- Step 3: Remove eggplant from oven and brush generously with the miso glaze on both sides. Return to oven and broil for 3-4 minutes until caramelized and bubbly.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, whisk 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp chili oil in a small bowl to make the spicy sesame dressing.
- Step 5: Arrange glazed eggplant on a serving plate, drizzle with the spicy sesame dressing, sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced scallions. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Spicy Sesame Dressing 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 Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Spicy Sesame Dressing?
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 japanese eggplants from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Spicy Sesame Dressing?
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 with Spicy Sesame Dressing 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 Miso-Glazed Eggplant with Spicy Sesame Dressing 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.
