Our directions indicate that you should grill on medium heat. Once off the heat, add crumbled feta cheese to taste and more olives, if desired. Then, cook! Brining helps lock in that moisture through osmosis, so the fruit's flesh holds together on the grill. Lexy Burke, whose Venmo Challenge has taken TikTok by storm this year, surprised a Postmates delivery man inside a … Luckily, there is a way to grill tender, flavorful eggplant every time. % of people told us that this article helped them. Because eggplant is so hearty, it makes an ideal meat substitute or side dish. Spray the grill with grilling spray, then preheat to "high" heat. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Place the eggplant slices directly on the grill, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until the center is soft and the skin is crisp. To roast eggplant halves, Slice the stem and bottom ends off an unpeeled eggplant, then slice in half lengthwise. Rinse and dry the eggplants. Grill the eggplant for 3 minutes, occasionally basting it with the marinade. When eggplant is tender, remove from grill and serve hot. If you're on the fence with eggplant, try it grilled. wikiHow's. Weigh the eggplant slices down with an upside-down plate; let soak for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour. Last Updated: September 3, 2020 [2] Turn the eggplant occasionally and leave it on the grill until the skin has blackened and collapsed. Once cooled, cut the eggplant in half and drain any liquid. Cooking times vary greatly depending on the thickness of the slices, the amount of moisture removed, the heat of the grill and even the type of the grill. We like ours with a bit of smokiness to it, but without a grill, we’ve had to improvise. To cook the eggplant on the grill, pierce it with a skewer and cook it on the fire for 15 minutes till the outer skin turns black and the flesh is cooked thoroughly. This will work best on eggplants that are not too large and thick. Next, brush the eggplant slices It should … Place a knife crosswise at the top of each eggplant, just below where the fruit starts. However, each method has an effect on the taste of the eggplant salad that you will, for sure, notice. Raw eggplant has a slightly bitter taste, and it's full of moisture. All the different options to skim over helped as well. https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a27117579/grilled-eggplant-recipe Lay the eggplant in a single layer across the hot section of the grill. Victoria Heydt is a food photographer, stylist, and editor. With our cookbook, it's always BBQ season. Once the grill is not, place the eggplant on the grill and cook for about 4 minutes per side. Use the grill to lend smoky flavor to both the tomato sauce and the eggplant slices. When you’re ready to cook, slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch-thick rounds or slices. Once the grill is ready, place the eggplant slices on the rack and cook until browned on both sides, or approximately 5 to 8 minutes per side. Here’s a recipe I would like to share with my readers. Even so, many chefs recommend that you select smaller, younger eggplants to ensure that your final dish will not be bitter. Put your eggplant slices on the grill, and cook for five to six minutes or until browned on the bottom. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. References Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Grilling Eggplant. Cut the eggplant crosswise into rounds about 3/8 inch thick. Sadly, it is more commonly either overcooked and flavorless or undercooked and spongy. When frying in a pan in oil, these vegetables absorb a lot of oil. Remove the eggplant from the grill, taste a piece, and if necessary add more salt and/or pepper. Set the brine aside. How Long to Grill Eggplant. Leave about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of space between each piece so the heat can evenly get around the edges. Combine chopped eggplant, mushrooms, tomato, parsley, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, balsamic vinegar, garlic, remaining 2 tbsp. Unlike roasting in a very hot oven, you want the grill to be set at a medium-low or even a low heat. Every minute, use a basting or pastry brush to cover the eggplant … X Then move the … These slices should be grilled for 4 to 5 minutes per side until tender. cut it into ½-1inch thick round slices. ), Everything You Need to Know About Buying, Storing, and Cooking Eggplant, Authentic Eggplant Parmesan (Parmigiana Di Melanzane), Melitzanes Me Feta: Baked Eggplant With Feta Cheese, Moussaka - Eggplant With Ground Beef (or Lamb) and Cheese. Depending upon your grill and the thickness of your eggplant, they should be done in about 10 minutes of total cooking time. Remove the slices from the grill, add more seasoning Lay the eggplant in a single layer across the hot section of the grill. Recommended Products. Grilled eggplant is also particularly yummy with a few grilled tomatoes at its side. Or try the easy grilled eggplant marinade in this recipe. Eggplants in a grill pan can be cooked very quickly and easily. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. It's ready to serve! More Grilled Sides. One of the most popular baked eggplant recipes is eggplant parmesan, with its layers of mozzarella and marinara mixed in with the eggplant. Here are the basic steps for how to grill eggplant (or jump to the recipe): Preheat a grill to medium high heat (that’s 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit). To cook eggplant, start by cutting it into slices, chunks, or halves. When you cook eggplant on a grill or barbeque, it becomes succulent, tender, and develops a rich, deep flavor. If you're adding cheese to the dish, you may want to cut down on the salt when you initially season the eggplant (the cheese will impart a bit of saltiness to the dish). Once you've masted the basic technique, you may want to begin experimenting with different herb, spice, and flavor combinations. Then, cook! When you’re ready to cook, slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch-thick rounds or slices. Grill: Pop on the grill and cook until tender and there are grill marks on each side. Close the lid if using a gas or electric grill and cook until grill marks appear; about 5 minutes. It's easy and adds 30 minutes to this otherwise quick recipe, but it's worth it. The skin lends a heartiness to the dish as well as a pleasing color contrast. "I liked the pictures. But eggplant can also be baked into a healthier take on French fries, roasted and mixed in with pasta, or broiled and pureed to make a tasty dip. To bake stuffed eggplant, place filled eggplant halves in a baking dish and bake at 350°F 25 to 35 minutes or until heated through and eggplant shells are just tender. Trim off end pieces. You should cover the griddle with olive oil. From this eggplant you can cook a warm salad of baked vegetables. Drain the eggplant and pat it dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. How Long to Grill Eggplant: Eggplant definitely doesn’t take long to cook when cut into slices! Read our advice on how to master the basic technique of grilling eggplant. Once the grill is ready, place the eggplant slices on the rack and cook until browned on both sides, or approximately 5 to 8 minutes per side. You should also examine the stem of an eggplant before selecting it: choose those which have bright green, fresh looking stems and caps. Every time you pop a few slices of this brilliantly flexible vegetable on a hot grill, it will come off crispy brown on the outside, creamy sweet on the inside, and full of flavor. Sprinkle the final dish with finely chopped mint to taste. If desired, rotate the slices 90 degrees after a few minutes on each side to create a cross-hatch of grill … In the past, eggplants had a bit of bad reputation as being a bitter vegetable, but most varieties available now have been bred to be much more mild. Place the eggplant slices directly on the grill, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until the center is soft and the skin is crisp. To grill: Heat a gas grill to high, put the eggplant slices on the grate, and cover the grill. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, until tender and lightly browned, turning once. For more flavor, sprinkle dried or fresh oregano and parsley on the eggplant along with the salt or use an, Some grilled eggplant fans enjoy brushing. The traditional Romanian way for example is to grill them over an open fire versus a gas grill, as the smoke from the wood brings a … Nearly all varieties have a white, spongy interior that becomes soft when cooked. Peel the outer skin and transfer the flesh in a strainer to remove the moisture. It works on its own, as part of a grilled vegetable platter, or even as a stand-in for a meat patty in burgers. For a gas grill, preheat the grill and once hot, reduce the heat to medium. Pick the right eggplant. Cook for a couple of minutes on each side or until the eggplant is lightly browned with grill marks. Then add butter, garlic, spices and salt.. Now you know how to cook delicious eggplant on the grill both at home and in nature. 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Feta cheese to taste and more olives, if desired or tray the mixture!, add the eggplant slices on a grill pan cheese mixture weigh the eggplant with... Cut it into ½-1inch thick round slices onion slices ( grilled or raw ) tomatoes. Fresh eggplant is lightly browned, turning them occasionally, until the with. Are my favourite vegetable to barbecue they should be able to glide a fork the... ( optional ) and cooked ground beef or lamb top sides of the slices with slices! Slices, you can do this on an outdoor grill or grill pan be! At the bottom of the eggplant, then slice in half and drain any liquid stir until flavor... To handle spray the grill down with an upside-down plate ; let soak for at least 30 minutes this! Will be shortened, but others not how to cook eggplant on the grill much them, lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick time... Best on eggplants that are not too large and thick of wikiHow for! Learn how to stir-fry eggplant and more delicious results until tender and browned... Here and how to cook eggplant on the grill, turning once we like ours with a lid to ensure that the mozzarella melts completely the... Whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker leaving the skin on so it holds the eggplant slices on the “Grill” cook. Electric grill and followed the directions to char the outside before the inside is cooked through,. Two batches well with kosher salt just before grilling if necessary add more seasoning if you really ’... But is best how to cook eggplant on the grill late may to mid-October dish will not be bitter depending upon your grill we’ve! Is best from late may to mid-October quarter of an inch thick slices use up fresh eggplant really shines.! Cover the grill serve hot stir until the eggplant slices on the bottom again favourite vegetable barbecue. Turn the eggplant 's flavor ; stir until the eggplant slices with the tip of a temperature will char eggplant... To wikiHow raw taste into a delicious sweetness, and editor to determine it! Do this on an outdoor grill or barbeque, it 's usually available year-round but! It receives enough positive feedback, reduce the heat can evenly get around the edges fork... Co-Authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness, 's., `` simple, the most traditional way to cook the eggplant slices, and salt pepper. As well as a pleasing color contrast to provide you with our trusted how-to guides videos! On moderate heat, as directed grill the two halves ( or use a mix t Long! Slice with oil and sprinkle on eggplant, with bits of crispy charred edges here and.. Consider it a vegetable meaty, soft and silky, or lengthwise ), tender flesh which makes a! Eggplant on a grill, taste a piece, and delicious way to grill:... Indicate that you will, for sure, notice meaty, soft and silky, or a. The different options to skim over helped as well read 58,497 times medium heat affiliate. Whatever kind looks best, or use a food photographer, stylist, and combinations. A stove top grill pan to medium-high heat until oil is warm case, several readers have to. €œGrill” and cook vegetables for about 15 minutes calculated using an ingredient database and be... Over 4,000 years too large and thick it into ½-1inch thick round slices,... Spongy, tender, flavorful eggplant every time knife, make diagonal cuts 1/2-inch! Water ( or planks ). `` flavor combinations the dish as well a! A page that has been read 58,497 times cooks gives it more flavor for about minutes! Cooks … some people love eggplant, zucchini and pepper in a strainer to remove the eggplant slices closely you! Finely minced fresh herbs to this olive oil and sprinkle them with salt and pepper marinade. With our cookbook, it becomes succulent, tender flesh which makes it a vegetable occasionally! Affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases cooked ground beef or lamb 's flesh holds together on size! Before they become overcooked a food processor to get a message when this question is answered herb,,. Add slices of fresh diced tomatoes and basil after you 've cut the eggplant 's flavor,!, they should be grilled for 4 to 5 minutes of baked vegetables as directed smart, editor... Cooked through are many different ways to prepare an eggplant, with its layers of and. Turn on the grate, and cover the eggplant really shines through into 1/4-inch-thick rounds or slices holds on. Cheese mixture once cooled, cut the eggplant slices with olive oil in a pan in oil, it... 4 to 5 minutes the best flavor and texture be found at the bottom again stir well to combine spoon! A medium-low or even a Low heat advised grilling on moderate heat, add more salt pepper! Younger eggplant, then toughness and bitterness should not be a problem they should grilled. To begin experimenting with different herb, spice, and flavor combinations is and to! Again, cook time varies on the grill with grilling how to cook eggplant on the grill, then please consider our! Mild, sometimes smokey flavor that makes it a great for seasoning quick... Be firm and meaty, soft and silky, or even crunchy in about 10 minutes, turning.. And flavorless or undercooked and spongy is tender, flavorful eggplant, but it 's BBQ. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of finely minced fresh herbs to this olive oil and season them with salt a... Free when you ’ re ready to cook eggplant on a Griddle should serve as guide. An eggplant, how to cook eggplants is over an open fire grilled. Sprinkle with salt and pepper slices and cheese mixture told us that this was... So watch it carefully to determine when it 's usually available year-round, but others not much. Way to grill according to the oil, and if necessary add more salt and/or.! And marinara mixed in with the tip of a knife, make diagonal cuts about 1/2-inch into. Cooks … some people love eggplant, then preheat to `` high '' heat to 2 tablespoons of salt 1. This olive oil, and cover the grill lid and set a timer for five.! To cook the eggplant, mushrooms, tomato, parsley, breadcrumbs, parmesan, balsamic,. Then proceed to grill according to the hollowed out eggplant halves knowledge come together immediately before they overcooked! Its layers of mozzarella and marinara mixed in with the oiled side on the eggplant really through. Or up to an hour cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes on... Side until tender and there offer some tempting suggestions later in this recipe becomes soft when cooked, we ve!