Sweet & Tangy Grilled Eggplant Recipe

Eggplant lovers will rave about this grilled eggplant recipe with a sweet and tangy glaze. The beautiful bold colors make this an impressive side dish for any BBQ or picnic.

I’ve been making this eggplant dish all my life. My mother called it “candied” eggplant and it showed up in many company and family dinners.  She broiled it and used a bottled Catalina dressing instead of making it from scratch.

Honestly, the taste is very close, so don’t be afraid to use that shortcut. I did until recently when I discovered how easy it was to quasi-replicate Catalina or French dressing with just a few ingredients. Either way, this eggplant side dish is really tasty, looks gorgeous and is simple to make.

Try serving it with Cedar Planked Chicken, Lemon Panko-Crusted Salmon,  Mediterranean-Style Marinated Chicken or a simple grilled steak.

Other ways to use this grilled eggplant recipe

Instead of an eggplant side dish:

• use the eggplant as a topping for chicken burgers or beef burgers
• add it to a Charcuterie platter
• include it in our party salad with grilled vegetables and quinoa

How to Choose an Eggplant

When choosing a dark purple eggplant, bigger is not better. Larger more mature eggplants tend to be more bitter and have more seeds. Look for an eggplant that is firm (with just slight give to the touch), shiny, smooth and not wrinkled. The stem should be green.

Tailor To Your Taste

As always, feel free to change things up a bit. For example:

• Use rosemary or thyme instead of oregano.
• If you don’t like eggplant, replace or add other vegetables with the glaze such as zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, red onion, asparagus.  Some will take less cooking time.
• Add some heat with sriracha or chili garlic sauce.

Shortcuts

• Replace the glaze ingredients with store-bought Catalina or French dressing. I do this sometimes (shhh).
• Instead of grilling, brush both sides with glaze and broil the eggplant for a few minutes on each side.

Make Ahead

• I almost always make this ahead for a dinner party. It can sit on the counter for hours and be served at room temperature or warmed in the oven or for a few seconds in the microwave before serving.

Other eggplant recipes you might like

Try one of these recipes if you love eggplant.

• 30 minute easy eggplant parmesan
• roasted sweet potatoes, peppers, eggplant and apples (a reader favorite)
• not your classic eggplant dip

This grilled eggplant recipe, originally published in 2018, has been updated with new information and pictures. Enjoy!