Grilled Eggplant Recipes!

Looking for something delicious to grill this summer? Eggplant is a delicious and healthy option! Check out these grilled eggplant recipes for some ideas. Whether you want a simple grilled eggplant dish or something a little more complex, there’s sure to be something here that you’ll love.

What Are Eggplant And Its Many Benefits?

The eggplant is a partner of the nightshade family and is closely related to the tomato and potato. Eggplants are an excellent origin of fiber and vitamins and contain many antioxidants. They’re also low in calories and fat, making them a great choice for a healthy meal.

Eggplants come in plenty of shapes and sizes, from long and slender to round and bulbous. They can find in many different colors, including purple, white, and green. Below are some of the benefits of eating eggplant are provided.

1. Eggplants Are A Good Source Of Fiber.

The eggplants are composed of both soluble and insoluble fibers. This combination makes it an ideal vegetable for those who are looking to regulate their bowel movements. Also, the high fiber content in eggplants can also help to lower cholesterol levels.

2. Eggplants Are Low In Calories.

One cup of eggplant includes only 35 calories. It will be a most suitable addition to any weight loss diet.

For more low-calorie vegetables, see a list of the 50 best.

3. Eggplants Are A Good Source Of Vitamins And Minerals.

Eggplants are a good source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain potassium, magnesium, and manganese. These nutrients are essential for keeping a healthy body.

4. Eggplants Contain Antioxidants.

The eggplant skin is rich in the antioxidant nasunin. This compound has been shown to defend cells from damage. It can also help to reduce inflammation throughout the body.

5. Eggplants Can Help To Lower Cholesterol Levels.

The soluble fiber in eggplants can help to lower cholesterol levels by binding to it and removing it from the body. This can lead to a decrease in the risk of heart disease. To get the most benefit, it is best to eat eggplant skin.

Some Easy Grilled Eggplant Recipes!

Eggplant offers a blank canvas for so many flavors. It can be grilled, roasted, sautéed, or even used in a raw salad. When grilling eggplant, be sure to oil both the eggplant and the grill grates.

To prevent sticking and ensure that you get beautiful grill marks. Here are some of the recipes for you to try out.

1. Grilled Eggplant With Basil Pesto

Grilled eggplant is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy summer produce. This recipe features grilled eggplant slices topped with homemade basil pesto. Also, it can be served as a main dish or as a side. The taste of grilled eggplant with the creamy pesto is simply heavenly.

Ingredients:

-1 Large Eggplant, Sliced Into Rounds

-1/2 Cup Pesto (Homemade Or Store-Bought)

-Salt And Pepper To Taste

-1/4 Cup Olive Oil

-2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar

-1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley

2. Grilled Eggplant Parmesan

For a fun and comfortable twist on classic eggplant Parmesan, try grilling the eggplant slices instead of breading and frying them.

This recipe features grilled eggplant slices that are topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Then, it’s baked until the cheese is softened and bubbly. Serve this dish with a side of pasta or a salad for a complete meal.

Ingredients:

-1 Large Eggplant, Sliced Into Rounds

-1 Jar (24 Ounces) Marinara Sauce

-1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

-1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

-Salt And Pepper To Taste

-1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

3. Grilled Eggplant Caprese

This light and fresh grilled eggplant Caprese salad is the perfect summer dish. Grilled eggplant, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella make up the toppings of this dish.

The salad is then drizzled with the balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing. You can serve this as a main course or side dish.

Ingredients:

-1 Large Eggplant, Sliced Into Rounds

-1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes

-8 Ounces Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, Sliced

-1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar

-3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

-Salt And Pepper To Taste

-1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Basil

4. Grilled Eggplant Steaks With Herb Sauce

Eggplant steaks are a great vegetarian main dish. This dish has eggplant slices that are grilled and served with a flavorful herb sauce on top. You may enjoy just plain or lightly coated in toasted sesame oil. Serve over rice, mashed / grilled potatoes, or a bed of greens.

Ingredients:

-1/2 Cup Olive Oil

-1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar

-3 Cloves Garlic, Minced

-1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano

-1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme

-Salt And Pepper To Taste

-1/2 Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley

5. Grilled Eggplant Pizza

This grilled eggplant pizza is perfect for you. The pizza crust is made with grilled eggplant slices. Then, it is topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings.

Ingredients:

-1 Large Eggplant, Sliced Into Rounds

-1 Jar (24 Ounces) Marinara Sauce

-1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

-1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

-Salt And Pepper To Taste

-1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

-Your Favorite Pizza Toppings (Pepperoni, Sausage, Onions, Peppers, Etc.)

6. Grilled Eggplant With Feta And Mint

If you’re looking for a flavorful and healthy grilled eggplant recipe, look no further. This meal contains grilled eggplant, feta cheese, and fresh mint leaves. It’s then drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This makes an excellent side dish or main course.

Ingredients:

-1 Large Eggplant, Sliced Into Rounds

-1/4 Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese

-2 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Mint

-3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

-1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar

-Salt And Pepper To Taste

7. Grilled Eggplant Rolls

To make these delicious grilled eggplant rolls, start by grilling eggplant slices. Then, top each slice with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves. Roll them up, and drizzle with a balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing.

Ingredients:

-4 Ounces Goat Cheese, Softened

-1/4 Cup Chopped Sun-Dried Tomatoes

-2 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Basil

-3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

-1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar

How To Grill Eggplant Like A Pro?

Grilling eggplant can be a little tricky. If you don’t follow some key tips, your eggplant can end up dry, rubbery, or even burned. But don’t worry; I’m here to help you grill eggplant like a pro! Here are a few top tips:

1. Avoid Eggplants That Are Old And Mushy.

Avoid eggplants that are old and mushy. Look for eggplants that are firm to a touch and have smooth, shiny skin. Avoid eggplants with bruises, brown spots, or wrinkles.

2. Cut Your Eggplant Into Even Slices.

If your eggplant slices are too thick, they’ll take forever to cook. If they’re too thin, they’ll burn easily. Aim for slices that are about 1/2-inch thick.

3. Preheat Your Grill.

Preheat the grill before you start cooking. It provides you with perfectly cooked eggplant slices that are not burnt on the outside and raw in the middle.

4. Coat Your Eggplant Slices With Oil.

Coat your eggplant slices with oil before you put them on the grill. It can also prevent them from sticking to the grill and burning.

5. Use Indirect Heat To Cook Your Eggplant.

Direct heat is too intense for eggplant slices and will cause them to burn. Instead, cook your eggplant over indirect heat. This means that you should place your eggplant slices on the part of the grill that is not directly over the flame.

A Few Variations On The Recipes For Those Who Want To Get Creative!

It’s time to discuss about the variations on the recipes! If you want to get creative all the time in the kitchen, you can use these tips to make your grilled eggplant recipes even better.

1. Use A Different Cheese.

If you don’t like feta cheese, you can use another type of cheese in its place. Cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan are all good options. For a vegan version, you can use Nutritional Yeast. Get some cheese pairings for grilling!

2. Try A Different Herb.

You can use any type of fresh herb that you like in place of the basil. Oregano, thyme, and parsley are all right options. Make sure to chop the herbs finely so that they distribute evenly on the eggplant slices.

3. Spicy It Up.

Include some spice in your dish by adding red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or chopped serrano peppers. You can use different types of vinegar in the dressing, such as apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar.

4. Change Up The Vegetables.

Consider trying different vegetables to mix things up. Grilled zucchini, yellow squash, and red onions are all great choices. Not only do them delicious great, but they also add a pop of color to your dish. Grilled vegetable recipes go well with grilled eggplant.

5. Make It A Main Course.

If you want to make your grilled eggplant dish a little heartier, you can add some cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu. For a vegetarian option, you can add cooked quinoa or rice.

6. Serve It With A Side.

Serve your grilled eggplant dish with a delicious side. Ensure that the side dish compliments the flavors in your dish. In this case, a simple salad or some crusty bread would be perfect.

Conclusion

Eggplants are tasty and versatile vegetables that can be grilled in many different ways. In this post, I’ve shared the favorite grilled eggplant recipes so you can get started cooking up some amazing dishes.

Be foolproof to check GrillCharms for other posts and more ideas on how to cook this tasty veggie. What’s your favorite way to grill eggplant?