Description
Smoky, tender, and simple, Vietnamese Grilled Eggplant with Scallion Oil is a plant-based dish featuring grilled Japanese or Chinese eggplants topped with savory scallion oil. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and perfect as a side or light main.
Ingredients
2 medium Japanese or Chinese eggplants
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (plus extra for brushing)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions (green onions)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic or fried shallots for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the grill or broiler to high heat.
- Prick the eggplants a few times with a fork and brush them lightly with vegetable oil.
- Place the eggplants directly over the grill or on a baking sheet under the broiler.
- Cook for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until skins are charred and flesh is soft and collapsed.
- Remove from heat, let cool slightly, peel most of the skin (leave a bit for texture), and flatten the flesh with a fork.
- To make scallion oil, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Turn off heat and stir in scallions, soy sauce, sugar, and optional garlic. Let them sizzle and soften in the residual heat.
- Spoon scallion oil generously over the grilled eggplants.
- Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally topped with fried shallots.
Notes
Add chili flakes or chili oil to the scallion mixture for heat.
Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
Garnish with crushed peanuts or lime for extra flavor.
Serve with rice or noodles and tofu for a more filling main dish.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Scallion oil can be made ahead and stored for 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
