How do you keep grilled eggplant from getting soggy?

Depending on the recipe, you might want to slice and salt globe eggplant slices before cooking them in order to draw out some of the water and keep them from turning to mush. In On Food and Cooking, Harold McGee writes that because eggplants are filled with tiny air pockets, they function like sponges.

Do you salt eggplant before grilling?

Why Is Brining Eggplant so Important? Raw eggplant has a slightly bitter taste, and it's full of moisture. Brining helps lock in that moisture through osmosis, so the fruit's flesh holds together on the grill. It also transforms the raw taste into a delicious sweetness, and the salt enhances the eggplant's flavor.

Should I soak eggplant before roasting?

Brining adds flavor and texture to eggplants . "Mix spices and salt with water, then soak sliced eggplant in the brine for 30 minutes before cooking.

Why is my grilled eggplant bitter?

The white part of an eggplant, also known as the "flesh," can sometimes turn bitter when cooked due to the presence of a naturally occurring compound called solanine . Solanine is a glycoalkaloid that is found in many members of the nightshade family of plants, which includes eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers.

Do you have to rinse eggplant after salting?

Conventional wisdom has you salt the slices to draw bitter liquid out of the eggplant. Once the slices have sat for about a hour, you're suppose to rinse them under cool water to remove any excess salt and then proceed with your recipe.

What happens if you don't salt eggplant before cooking?

Salting: Salting removes excess liquid and some of the bitterness . Today's eggplants are bred for mildness, though, so it's not as important as it used to be (if you are frying eggplant, salting will ensure a creamy texture and rich flavor). This method works for eggplant slices, cubes, or planks.

How long to salt eggplant before grilling?

Sprinkle eggplant with salt: Generously sprinkle eggplant slices* with one to two teaspoons of salt, being sure to cover season them on both sides. All the eggplant slices sweat: Place the seasoned eggplant in a colander for 30 minutes to an hour.

How do you store grilled eggplant?

Cooked eggplant will last between three and five days in the refrigerator .

How do you make eggplant not mushy in the oven?

Eggplant roasting problems! Been there, done that! The key to fix this is simple: cut into large pieces – smaller pieces cook too quickly and turn into mush before the outside has a chance to caramelise; and. roast at a high temperature so the surface gets “sealed” and holds in the juice inside.

How do you cook eggplant so it's not slimy?

If sliminess is a challenge in your house try this: Cut into pieces 1 inch wide or smaller. Cook them hot & fast! Get your pan sizzling and fry the eggplant about 30 seconds on each side. The outside will get crispy while the inside is lightly cooked. Go easy on the oil. Eggplants absorb liquid like crazy! Jun 24, 2015

Grilled Eggplant in Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce Recipe (2024)

Grilled Eggplant in Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce – this simple eggplant recipe can be made with either stir-fried, grilled or roasted eggplants. Just cook the eggplant, then combine with garlic, sweet spicy chili sauce and herbs and you’ve got the best eggplant recipe out there.

Find more Eggplant Recipes HERE.

PIN this recipe to your GRILLING board.

Several years ago my aunt (thank you Irina!) brought this Eggplant Dish to aparty and it was one of the most popular dishes at the table. Everyone was asking for this easy eggplant recipe, including me!

How to Reduce Calories in this Grilled Eggplant Recipe?

The original recipe given to me used eggplants browned in oil, in a regular skillet. I find that the eggplant absorbs a ton of oil if you do it this way and as a way to reduce the amount of oil absorbed I decided to toss the eggplants with oil and then grill them instead.

Grilling the eggplant significantly reduces the amount of oil used, plus gives the dish a hint of smokiness, making this the perfect grilled eggplant recipe for your summer BBQ and Picnic party.

What eggplant is best to use for this Eggplant Recipe?

There are several types of eggplants but the one you want to use in this recipe is either the Japanese (usually deeper purple color) or Chinese (usually lighter purple color) eggplant.

These two kinds have a good amount of ‘meat” on them and do not have the bitterness that is typical to the standard round eggplants. This makes these type of eggplants perfect for stir-fries and appetizers like the one I am sharing with you today.

And there you have it! Simple, delicious, so fitting for summer and all around amazing Grilled Eggplant Recipe! Enjoy!

Let me know in the comment section below what you think of this recipe. Have you had anything like this before?

Ingredients in this Easy Eggplant Recipe

Use either Chinese or Japanese, skinny long eggplants as they do not have the same bitterness that standard globe eggplants do.
While we could make the Hot Chili sauce, I think buying 15 ingredients just to use a teaspoon of each would not make as much sense as just buying one jar of already premade good quality Sweet Chili Sauce.
I do not go crazy on the herbs in this recipe, but you can if you want to. Use between couple tablespoons for just garnish, to a full half cup of chopped parsley. I use about 1/4 cup as that seems to be the best amount for me.

**How to Cook Eggplant (choose one of the ways below) –**

How To Make Grilled Eggplant –
- To grill: Toss the cut up eggplant with some oil (I do this in a ziplock bag), or use a spray bottle like this one to lightly spray the eggplants with oil. Then arrange them on a preheated to low heat grill. Make sure the grill is absolutely clean and well sprayed with nonstick spray, or wiped with an oiled paper towel to prevent the eggplant from sticking. Rotate each piece to promote even cooking.
- When the eggplant has good grill marks and is soft, but not mushy, add the Chinese eggplant pieces to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit for 30 minutes to an hour. This will allow it to finish cooking from the steam, while still retaining shape.

How To Stir Fry Eggplant – Add oil to a hot wok, add the eggplants and cook over high heat tossing often until golden in color and cooked through.
How to Roast Eggplant – for this recipe, you would toss the cut up pieces of eggplant with oil, then arrange on the parchment lined baking sheet and cook at 450F until soft and cooked through. Do not overcook or the eggplant will become mushy.
How to Cook Eggplant in Skillet – add oil to the skillet and preheat to high heat. Add eggplants, not overcrowding the pan and cook until well browned on all sides in batches.

Assembling the Chinese Eggplant Recipe:

To the bowl with the grilled eggplant add the rest of the ingredients and gently toss to coat evenly. Serve right away, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Want More Eggplant Recipes? Check these out!

Grilled Chicken Kabobs Recipe
Grilled Salmon Kabobs
Paprika Baked Chicken Thighs

Grilled Eggplant in Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce

4.92 from 12 votes

Grilled Eggplant in Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce - this simple eggplant recipe can be made with either stir-fried, grilled or roasted eggplants. Just cook the eggplant, then combine with garlic, sweet spicy chili sauce and herbs and you've got the best eggplant recipe out there.

Author: Marina | Let the Baking Begin!

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American, Russian

Keyword: grilled eggplant

Calories: 329 kcal

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

4Chinese eggplants, stems removed, cut into 2 inch logs or chunks
1/3cupoil
1/3cupSweet Chili Sauce
1/4cupchopped parsley
4clovesgarlicpressed
1/2 tsp black ground pepper
1 tspSalt

Instructions

How to make Grilled Eggplant in Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce

Preheatthe grill until 400F and make sure the grates are thoroughly cleaned with the grill brush, then wiped with a wet paper towel. Right before adding the eggplant to the grill, spray the grates withnonstick spray (turn off the grill for a second while you do this).
Next, in a bowl or a gallon sized ziplock bag combine cut up eggplant and oil, then toss quickly to coat.
Add the Chinese eggplant to the grill and cook over low heat, with the lid covering the grill, for about 10 minutes. Turn each piece every couple of minutes to promote even cooking.
Remove to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Now add theSweet Chili Sauce, chopped parsley, salt and pepper and gently toss everything to coat.

To store:

Refrigerate in a tightly sealed jar until ready to eat, up to 4-5 days.

Recipe Notes

Grilling or Roasting is the best way to cook the Chinese Eggplant as it does not require too much oil. If you would like to use a different way of cooking eggplant, read below.

How To Stir Fry Eggplant - Add oil to a hot wok, add the eggplants and cook over high heat tossing often until golden in color and cooked through.
How to Roast Eggplant - for this recipe, you would toss the cut up pieces of eggplant with oil, then arrange on the parchment lined baking sheet and cook at 450F until soft and cooked through. Do not overcook or the eggplant will become mushy.
How to Cook Eggplant in Skillet - add oil to the skillet and preheat to high heat. Add eggplants, not overcrowding the pan and cook until well browned on all sides.

Nutrition Facts

Grilled Eggplant in Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce

Amount Per Serving

Calories 329Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 805mg35%

Potassium 1081mg31%

Carbohydrates 38g13%

Fiber 14g58%

Sugar 26g29%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 420IU8%

Vitamin C 16mg19%

Calcium 52mg5%

Iron 1.3mg7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.