Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant Recipe

This roasted eggplant recipe with Parmesan is packed with Mediterranean flavours and is super easy to make. The smokiness of the BBQ, the saltiness of Parmesan cheese, the freshness from cilantro (coriander) combined with delicious extra virgin olive oil, oh my Goodness, it tastes sooo good! And like all the recipes on my blog - gluten-free of course!

Mediterranean roasted eggplant recipe

This Mediterranean Eggplant with Parmesan might remind you of my UNFORGETTABLE ROASTED EGGPLANT SALAD WITH LEMON PASTE. But let me tell you, while I absolutely love the lemon eggplant, this recipe is just as good. I honestly could not decide which one I like more.

If you have followed me for a while you will know that I am a little bit of a nutrition nerd. It is hard not to be once you have seen how powerful a healthy diet can be. If I hadn't changed my diet to be gluten-free a couple of years ago, I would now live in chronic pain and would probably have needed medication to fight the inflammation I suffered from. Who wants to live in pain?

You can read more about my story in ABOUT ME. Have you ever had to change your diet in order to improve your health, or are you thinking about making a change? Send me a message, I would love to hear your story and might be able to help.

Ingredients for Mediterranean roasted eggplant recipe

I love to keep things simple and that is why I like this recipe so much. There are only 5 ingredients.

• 1 medium-size eggplant (aubergine), sliced into approximately 0.7cm (0.25 inch)
• 4-5 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese. You can use Grand Padano for a budget-friendly version.
• A handful of fresh coriander leaves (cilantro) roughly chopped
• 1 garlic clove finely minced. No, you can't substitute with garlic powder, sorry.
• Salt

Should I peel the eggplant before I roast it?

Just a quick note about eggplant and if you should peel it or not. The bright colour of the eggplant is the place where the magic is hidden. There is an abundance of antioxidants in the purple skin of the eggplant. And as you might know, anti-oxidants are those little soldiers in our bodies who constantly fight free radicals. The latter love to cause havoc, which is known to lead to multiple diseases including heart disease and cancer. So, as you can see, the eggplant is better enjoyed unpeeled.

How to Make Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant Recipe

This recipe doesn't require much preparation at all. A little bit of chopping is all you need to do. It really couldn't be any easier.

1. Wash and slice the eggplant into approximately 0.7cm (0.25 inch)
2. Put the slices on a large plate and season with some salt and sprinkle some extra virgin olive oil over the eggplant, approximately 2 tbsp. Toss the eggplant slices so that every bit gets some salt and oil. It will look like it is not enough olive oil but don't worry, you don't need much olive oil to grill the eggplant
3. Heat the grill plate (or the BBQ) and cook the eggplant slices for 4-5 minutes on each side, until the eggplant is cooked to your liking. I like my eggplant cooked until it is soft, but some people like it when it still firm.
4. While the eggplant is cooking, prepare the dressing. Combine minced garlic, parmesan, olive oil, and salt in a medium-size bowl. Set aside.
5. Once the eggplant is cooked, transfer it into the bowl with the dressing and mix gently until all slices are covered with the mixture.
6. Sprinkle fresh coriander on top, mix once again and enjoy!

How to serve

I think this beautiful dish looks really nice on any lunch or dinner table, right next to my Gluten-free Shrimp Appetizer Recipe – Mexican Style. You can serve it as part of an antipasti meal, or as a side dish with fish or just serve it over some freshly cooked pasta. Either way, it tastes amazing.

How to store

This eggplant salad will stay fresh for 4-5 days if refrigerated and is a good option for a meal-prep dish. You can serve with chicken or lamb. It is also great as a sandwich filling or just served over some freshly cooked pasta, yum!

More delicious recipes with eggplant:

Easy Baingan Bhartha - Indian Style Roasted Eggplant

Asian inspired vegan eggplant recipe

Soy Glazed Eggplant and Zucchini

Mediterranean Roasted Eggplant Recipe with Parmesan - Printable

Mediterranean Roasted Eggplant Recipe with Parmesan and Coriander

Elena Elliott

This easy to make grilled eggplant salad has to be your new go-to recipe. It is packed with Mediterranean flavours such as smokey eggplant, salty parmesan and fresh coriander. Delicious!

Print Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Mediteranian

Servings 4 serves as a side dish

Ingredients

  

• 1 medium-size eggplant sliced into approximately 0.7cm (0.25 inch)
• 4-5 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese
• A handful of fresh coriander leaves cilantro roughly chopped
• 1 garlic clove finely minced
• Salt

Instructions

 

• Wash and slice the eggplant into approximately 0.7cm (0.25 inch)
• Put it on a large plate and season with some salt and sprinkle some extra virgin olive oil over the eggplant slices, approximately 2 tbsp. Toss the eggplant slices so that every bit gets some salt and oil. It will look like it is not enough olive oil but don't worry, you don't need much olive oil to grill the eggplant.
• Heat the grill plate (or the BBQ) and cook the eggplant slices for 4-5 minutes on each side, until the eggplant is cooked to your liking.
• While the eggplant is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a medium-size bowl combine minced garlic, parmesan, olive oil, and salt. Set aside.
  
• Once the eggplant is cooked, transfer it into the bowl with the dressing.
  
• Mix gently until all slices are covered with the mixture.
• Sprinkle fresh coriander on top, mix once again and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe is perfect for 1 medium-size eggplant. Feel free to double or triple it if you want to make a bigger batch.

Not a fan of cilantro? You can swap it for fresh parsley leaves.

For a budget-friendly version swap Parmesan for Grana Padano. It costs way less than Parmigiano Reggiano but tastes just as good. 

Keyword grilled eggplant, grilled eggplant parmesan, Mediterranean eggplant

EQUIPMENT YOU MIGHT FIND HELPFUL

Scanpan stovetop grill

SHOP

Ziruma chopping board

SHOP

MOSFiATA 7 Santoku Knife

SHOP

Love eggplant as much as I do? Check out these delicious and healthy eggplant recipes:

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