Make this Oven Grilled Eggplant for a fantastic veggie dish that’s perfectly tender and caramelized! You’ll love the smoky and slightly sweet flavors, balanced out with a drizzle of oil and salt and pepper.
This recipe also includes a fantastic garlic dill yogurt sauce that’s so easy to make and takes your eggplant to the next level! With its refreshing tang and bright herbal flavors, each bite is as light as it is satisfying.
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🩵 About This Recipe
Looking to put together a delicious side dish with the perfect balance of tender eggplant and caramelized, roasted flavor? This oven grilled eggplant is a great way to easily prepare a restaurant quality veggie without all the effort!
Best of all, there's no need to actually turn on the grill! Thanks to a quick slicing pattern, you can "grill" your eggplants right in your oven. Serve them with the homemade yogurt sauce for a pop of refreshing flavor that pulls everything together.
And if you're a big fan of eggplant, try my Oven Baked Eggplant Milanese sandwiches, or these yummy Grilled Halloumi Kebabs with Sausage and Eggplant!
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- eggplants - the star of the dish, its mild flavor absorbs the seasonings and complements the tangy yogurt sauce.
- olive oil - helps the eggplant caramelize and develop a rich, golden-brown crust while keeping it moist inside.
- salt and pepper - essential for seasoning.
- yogurt - be sure to use a plain yogurt or you'll end up with a sauce that's too sweet or has an odd flavor.
- garlic - fresh garlic will give you the best flavor, but garlic paste or jarred garlic is good in a pinch.
- fresh lemon juice - same with the garlic, fresh lemon juice is best but you can use bottled for a shortcut!
- fresh dill - brings a bright, slightly citrusy freshness that pairs well with both the eggplant and the yogurt sauce.
🔪 Let's Make Oven Grilled Eggplant!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Slice Eggplants
Cut the eggplants in half and score the flesh in diagonal lines to make the "grill marks." Drizzle with oil and seasonings.
Roast
Place the eggplants cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
Make Yogurt Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine yogurt with lemon juice, dill, garlic, and salt and pepper.
Finish and Serve
Once tender and caramelized, remove the eggplants from the oven and serve with yogurt sauce.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- If you're using dried dill, use less than the recipe calls for. Dried herbs are typically more flavorful than their fresh counterparts.
- For some creamy texture, add feta or Parmesan to your eggplant after roasting.
- This cooking method also works well for things like squash and zucchini!
❔ FAQs
With this recipe, all you need to do is roast it in the oven! Because of the slices you add in each piece, it takes on a "grilled" quality.
This is likely due to excess moisture, or if the pieces of eggplant are overcrowded on the baking sheet. Be sure to cook them for long enough as well!
No, but if you want to be sure that they end up more crisp and firm, salting the eggplant before roasting will help draw out some of the moisture.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- Add other seasonings like za'atar, paprika, cumin, or whatever else you have in your pantry!
- Swap out the dill for cilantro, parsley, or even mint to give your yogurt sauce a different flavor.
- Give the yogurt sauce an even creamier texture by using Greek yogurt, or choose a plant-based yogurt if you want to go dairy free.
- For even more nutrition, add some cherry tomatoes or zucchini alongside the eggplant while it roasts.
Kristin’s Kitchen Tip
Make cleanup a snap by lining the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. One less dish to wash!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Store the eggplant and yogurt sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain the same balance of tender and grilled.
I don't recommend freezing to store or microwaving to reheat, as this can make the eggplant mushy or grainy.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this oven grilled eggplant recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Serve your roasted aubergine over a bed of your favorite greens, or with a bowl of Slow Cooker Quinoa or Instant Pot Quinoa! Lean into the Mediterranean flavors by adding some Turmeric Hummus or one of my favorites, my Roasted Red Pepper Hummus!
😋 More Eggplant Recipes You'll Love
- Baked Eggplant Fries - This healthier alternative to french fries is served with a side of chipotle basil dipping sauce!
- Loaded Baked Eggplant - Take all your favorite baked potato toppings and pile them on top of delicious baked eggplant rounds.
- Eggplant Apple Quesadillas - With a unique flavor, these quesadillas are an excellent way to add something fun and exciting to your meal plans.
- Eggplant Stir Fry - This recipe from Vancouver With Love features an incredible and easy garlic sauce for lots of savory flavor!
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Roasted Aubergine with Yogurt Sauce
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📋 Recipe Card
Oven Grilled Eggplant With Easy Garlic Dill Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients
For the Eggplant:
- 2 small eggplants
- Olive oil for drizzling
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Garlic Dill Yogurt Sauce:
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ lemon, juiced
- Fresh dill, chopped (to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Wash and dry the eggplants, then halve them. Score the flesh diagonally in each direction to create a diagonal pattern.2 small eggplants
- Drizzle olive oil over the eggplants and season with salt and pepper.Olive oil for drizzling, Salt and pepper to taste
- Place the eggplants, cut side down, on a baking sheet. Roast for 35-40 minutes until tender and caramelized.
- While the eggplants are roasting, prepare the sauce. In a bowl, combine the yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped dill, and some salt and pepper. Adjust the seasoning in the sauce to taste.½ cup plain yogurt, 2 garlic cloves, minced, ½ lemon, juiced, Fresh dill, chopped (to taste), Salt and pepper to taste
- Serve the roasted eggplants with the garlic dill yogurt sauce on top or on the side, garnished with additional dill if desired.
Notes
- For easier cleanup, line the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- For additional seasoning, sprinkle spices like paprika, cumin, or za'atar on the eggplant before roasting.
- You can substitute dill with parsley, cilantro, or mint for a different twist on the yogurt sauce.
- Add a creamy texture by sprinkling crumbled feta or grated Parmesan on the roasted eggplant.
- You can swap plain yogurt with Greek yogurt for a thicker, creamier sauce, or use a plant-based yogurt for a dairy-free option.
- Roast cherry tomatoes or zucchini alongside the eggplant for a colorful, veggie-packed dish.
Serving suggestions:
- Pair the oven grilled eggplant with warm pita bread, rice, or quinoa for a complete meal.
- Serve the roasted eggplant over a bed of greens or grain salad, topped with the yogurt sauce as a dressing.
- Serve alongside hummus, olives, falafel, and tabbouleh for a Mediterranean-inspired spread.
Storing leftovers:
- Place leftover eggplant and yogurt sauce separately in airtight containers and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat eggplant in a 350 degree F oven or air fryer until warmed through.
- Microwaving is not recommended as it changes the texture of the eggplant.
- Freezing is not recommended as the texture of the roasted eggplant may become mushy, and the yogurt sauce may separate.
Ideas for leftovers:
- Make a dip by mashing leftover eggplant and mixing it with a bit of yogurt sauce and olive oil.
- Chop the roasted eggplant and use it as a filling for wraps or sandwiches, paired with the yogurt sauce and fresh veggies.
- Toss chopped roasted eggplant with cooked pasta, the yogurt sauce, and a sprinkle of Parmesan for a creamy pasta dish.
- Layer leftover roasted eggplant with sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an easy side dish.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Happy cooking!
Kristin King says
So delicious! Even my kids love this!