Turkish Grilled Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Charred eggplant slices served with a cool, garlicky yogurt sauce, a simple yet flavorful vegetarian side dish. This turkish-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs large (600g total) eggplants, olive oil, salt 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.

★ 3.7 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Turkish cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Cut eggplants lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices (10 slices total). Brush both sides with 2 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt.
  2. Step 2: Grill eggplant slices for 4-5 minutes per side until charred and tender. Remove and cool slightly on a plate.
  3. Step 3: Whisk 240g Greek yogurt, 100g grated cucumber, 5g chopped dill, 2g minced garlic, and 15ml lemon juice until smooth. Serve grilled eggplant slices topped with yogurt sauce.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Turkish Grilled Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt 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 Turkish Grilled Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt?

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 large (600g total) eggplants from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Turkish Grilled Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt?

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 Turkish Grilled Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt 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 Turkish Grilled Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt 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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