Miso-Glazed Grilled Eggplant with Sesame Seeds
Grilled eggplant slices coated in a savory-sweet miso glaze, topped with toasted sesame seeds. This japanese-inspired grilling (vegetarian, gluten-free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs white miso paste, rice vinegar, maple syrup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 145 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 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tsp soy sauce, and 2 tbsp water until smooth and well combined.
- Step 2: Brush both sides of 2 medium eggplant slices (1/2-inch thick) generously with the miso glaze mixture. Let sit for 10 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high (375°F/190°C). Place eggplant slices on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until grill marks appear and eggplant is tender when pierced with a fork.
- Step 4: Brush with any remaining glaze during the last minute of cooking. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle immediately with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Miso-Glazed Grilled Eggplant with Sesame Seeds 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 Grilled Eggplant with Sesame Seeds?
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 Grilled Eggplant with Sesame Seeds?
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 Grilled Eggplant with Sesame Seeds 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 Grilled Eggplant with Sesame Seeds vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, 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
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
