Grilled eggplant slices on a grill pan or outdoor grill are a tasty and easy way of enjoying this delicious summer vegetable.

We’ll show you how to grill eggplant and season it with different condiments to bring out its best flavor.

grilled eggplant

Check out our Best Eggplant Recipes

Grilling is one of the best ways to enjoy eggplant (aubergine). The smokey, slightly bitter flavor created during the charring of the eggplant matches the sweet, earthy notes of this spongy vegetable.

Grilled eggplant is unbeatable
when combined with a simple condiment of extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, salt, garlic, and fresh herbs such as basil or mint.

You can serve it as an appetizer or a side dish with other grilled veggies. You can use it as a topping for pizza and focaccia, or as a filling for a sandwich, with a slice of our vegan chickpea frittata and a slick of our creamy vegan pesto.

Like grilled zucchini, you can grill eggplant with a thin coating of olive oil or grill it dry without any oil.

We prefer to grill it dry, without oil, and then season it straight after with an olive oil-based condiment such as chimichurri, Italian salsa verde, chili oil, or other.

The hot spongy eggplant will absorb the smoky flavor from the charring and the aromas from the condiment, becoming tender and tasty. Next, let’s see how to cook and season grilled eggplant.

grilled eggplant on a platter with grilled tofu, grilled zucchini and seasoned with chimichurri
Grilled eggplant on a platter with grilled tofu and zucchini and seasoned with chimichurri.

Ingredients

ingredients for grilled eggplants
Eggplant, extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, fresh basil, garlic, black pepper, and salt.

Eggplant

We think the best variety of eggplant to grill are globe American eggplant (short, round shape and a deep purple color), Italian eggplant (similar color and shape to American, but slightly smaller and sweeter), and fairy tale eggplant (light purple and white color with sweet and tender flesh).

However, you can safely grill white eggplant and graffiti or zebra eggplant too.

You don’t need any other ingredient for grilling eggplant. Optionally you can brush it with a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil. However, we prefer adding the oil later, once grilled.

For the easy marinade

Extra virgin olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil is our choice because it has a fruity flavor that complements the bitter and smoky of the charring and the sweet, earthy flavor of the eggplant.

Vinegar

Eggplant and vinegar are a perfect match! You can use red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, and white wine vinegar.

Fresh herbs

Fresh basil, fresh mint (including Italian mentuccia), and fresh flat-leaf parsley are undoubtedly the best fresh herbs to go with eggplant. Pick one or more for your condiment. Good alternatives are fresh thyme and fresh oregano.

Garlic

Garlic is another ingredient that marries perfectly with grilled eggplant. We like to slice it thinly, but you can also mince it. Try to go for fresh garlic as opposed to garlic powder. It’s fresher and zestier.

Salt and pepper

Sea salt and kosher salt are more flavorful than table salt. A sprinkle after grilling or diluted in the dressing is enough.

You can also add a twist of black pepper, or if you like things spicy, a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Instructions

Make the marinade

We start with the marinade so that the oil has time to absorb the flavor from the garlic and herbs.

Add extra virgin olive oil, thinly sliced garlic, chopped basil (or another fresh herb like mint or flat-leaf parsley), vinegar, salt, and black pepper (or red pepper flakes) to a small bowl. Stir it and set it aside.

ingredients for condiment

Grill the eggplant

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. The temperature should be around 430°F or 220°C. Make sure the grill grates or the pan are clean.

Cast iron is your best bet if you use a grill pan because it distributes the heat evenly and reaches higher temperatures than regular pans. Non-stick also works.

Wash the eggplant, dry it, and remove the stem. Next, slice it into ⅓ of an inch thick discs (about 8mm). You can cut long slices, too, if you prefer. You can use a chef’s knife or a mandoline slicer to cut eggplant.

Tip: the peel of the eggplant can be challenging to slice if you don’t have a sharp knife. If you are having difficulties, use a serrated bread knife.

sliced eggplant on a cutting board

When the grill or grill pan is hot, turn the heat a notch down from medium-high to medium.

Place the eggplant discs on it on a single layer. Grill for about 3 minutes on one side, then turn around with tongues and grill for another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer onto a serving platter and keep grilling till you run out of eggplant.

Do not undercook. Grilled eggplant should be well cooked and soft.

Consideration: Less charring is a little healthier, but it’s also less flavorful. If you want clear charring marks, do not move the eggplant. Only flip it once. If you wish to have less charring, move the discs around while cooking.

grilling eggplant on a grill pan

Apply marinade

As you transfer the grilled eggplant from the grill to the serving platter, drizzle with a generous amount of marinade while the eggplant is still smokey and hot.

The warm and spongy eggplant will absorb fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil flavor. In addition, the vinegar and salt will make it extra flavorful. Optionally you can sprinkle additional fresh herbs on top.

Enjoy warm, at room temperature, or cold.

grilled eggplant with basil on a platter

Variations

Different herb

Try substituting fresh mint or flat-leaf parsley for the basil. They are both great with grilled eggplant. If you don’t have any, you can opt for thyme and oregano, best if fresh.

Chimichurri

Chimichurri is a South American condiment that is delicious with anything grilled. Make with simple ingredients, including olive oil, vinegar, red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, and plenty of garlic. Check our chimichurri recipe for instructions and ingredients.

grilled vegetables and tofu

Green goddess dressing

This herby and incredibly aromatic sauce has all the herbs that go well with eggplants, so we had to try it with it. And we love it! It’s creamy, fresh, and different from your usual grilled vegetable condiment. Check out our recipe for green goddess dressing for the ingredients list and instructions.

green goddess dressing on grilled vegetables

Italian salsa verde

Drizzle grilled eggplants with this tangy, herby, parsley-based dressing to have an even bolder flavor. You can make this condiment in a few minutes in a food processor. Check out our Italian salsa verde recipe for the ingredients list and instructions.

Italian salsa verde

Storage

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days. Keep them on a plate, covered in aluminum foil, or in an airtight container.

You can freeze grilled eggplants for up to 3 months, but make sure to do so before applying any condiment. To do so, transfer them onto a baking sheet or a platter line with parchment paper.

Arrange them so that they don’t overlap. Put the tray in the freezer, then after about 8 hours or more, transfer the frozen eggplant discs into a freezer bag to save space.

Thaw in the fridge overnight, or in the microwave. You can also thaw them on a pan with some olive oil.

Serving suggestions

Grilled eggplant can be served as an appetizer on a platter with other grilled veggies or as a side dish. It goes particularly well with protein, in salads, and with pasta:

You can also use grilled eggplant in a salad. We made a very quick and simple one by mixing the eggplant with grilled cherry tomatoes, grated carrots, spinach, and arugula, in a large bowl. We then served and drizzled the salad with a tangy and creamy chipotle sauce.

More eggplant recipes

For many more side dishes ideas, check out our sides category page.

grilled eggplants on a platter

Grilled eggplants

By: Nico Pallotta
5 from 1 vote
Grilled eggplant slices on a grill pan or outdoor grill are a tasty and easy way of enjoying this delicious summer vegetable.
We'll show you how to grill eggplant and season it with different condiments to bring out the best flavor.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Servings: 4 – 6 people
Course: Appetizer, Side dish
Cuisine: International, Italian

Equipment

  • grill or grill pan (ideally cast iron)
  • long tongs to turn the eggplant

Ingredients

  • 1 large eggplant (about 1½ pounds)

For the marinade

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar any
  • 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced or minced
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or more to taste
  • 2 twists black pepper red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons basil leaves or mint or parsley, finely chopped

Instructions 

Make marinade

  • To a bowl, add extra virgin olive oil, thinly sliced garlic, chopped basilvinegarsalt, and black pepper. Stir it and set it aside.
    ingredients for condiment

Grill Eggplant

  • Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. The temperature should be around 430F or 220C. Make sure the grill grates or the pan are clean.
  • Wash the eggplant, dry it, and remove the stem. Next, slice it into ⅓ of an inch thick discs (about 8mm).
    You can cut long slices, too, if you prefer. You can use a chef's knife or a mandoline slicer.
    Tip: the peel of the eggplant can be challenging to slice if you don't have a sharp knife. If you are having difficulties, use a serrated bread knife.
    sliced eggplant on a cutting board
  • When the grill or grill pan is hot, turn the heat down from medium-high to medium.
    Place the eggplant discs on it on a single layer. Grill for about 3 minutes on one side, then turn around with tongues and grill for another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer onto a serving platter and keep grilling till you run out of eggplant.
    Do not undercook. Grilled eggplant should be well cooked and soft.
    grilling eggplant on a grill pan

Apply marinade

  • As you transfer the grilled eggplant from the grill to the serving platter, drizzle with a generous amount of marinade while the eggplant is still smokey and hot.
    The warm and spongy eggplant will absorb fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil flavor. The vinegar and salt will make it tasty. Optionally you can sprinkle extra fresh herbs on top.
    Enjoy warm, at room temperature, or cold.
    grilled eggplant with basil on a platter

Notes

HEALTH CONSIDERATION
Less charring is a little healthier, but it’s also less flavorful. Do not move the eggplant if you want clear charring marks like our pictures. Only flip it once. Move the slices around the grill while they cook if you wish to have more minor charring.
If you use a grill pan, cast iron is your best bet because it distributes the heat evenly and reaches higher temperatures than regular pans.
WHY NO OIL BEFORE GRILLING?
Grilling without oil, and adding oil on top later, makes the dish healthier because we reduce potential harmful compounds that form when we heat the oil at high temperatures.
BUT WON’T THE EGGPLANT STICK TO THE GRILL?
No, it won’t. Of course, your grill or grill pan needs to be clean and well seasoned.
WON’T THE EGGPLANT TASTE BLAND?
No, it won’t. Charring without oil adds a ton of smokey flavor. 
Adding the marinade onto the hot eggplant when off the grill and on the serving platter will load it with garlic, herbs, and olive oil aroma.
Nutrition information is for one portion out of four.

Nutrition

Calories: 138kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Potassium: 388mg, Dietary Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 93IU, Vitamin B6: 0.2mg, Vitamin C: 4mg, Vitamin E: 2mg, Vitamin K: 17µg, Calcium: 22mg, Folate: 37µg, Iron: 1mg, Manganese: 0.5mg, Magnesium: 25mg, Zinc: 0.3mg
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below or mention @theplantbasedschool on Instagram. We are also on Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.

You might also like


Nico and Louise in the kitchen

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.

Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.

Easy right?

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating