Eggplant with Sesame Sauce

Transform your kitchen into an oasis of bold, Asian-inspired flavors with this Eggplant with Sesame Sauce recipe. Perfectly pan-seared eggplant slices are tender on the inside and caramelized on the outside, then drizzled with a savory-sweet sesame sauce infused with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a hint of honey (or maple syrup for a vegan twist). The nutty richness of sesame oil and the warmth of fresh ginger and garlic create a harmonious balance of flavors, while a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and optional scallion garnish adds delightful texture and brightness. This quick and easy dish, ready in just 35 minutes, is ideal as a light appetizer, side dish, or plant-based main course. Serve it warm or at room temperature—it’s equally irresistible either way! Keywords: Eggplant with Sesame Sauce, savory sesame sauce, Asian-inspired eggplant recipe, vegan-friendly eggplant dish, easy plant-based appetizer.

Nutriscore Rating: 49/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 medium eggplant
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 2 stalks scallions (optional for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil (like vegetable or canola oil)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Wash and slice the eggplants into thick rounds (about 1/2 inch thick). Once sliced, sprinkle both sides of each eggplant round with salt and let them sit for 10 minutes. This helps draw out any bitterness.

Step 2

Meanwhile, prepare the sesame sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), and ginger. Finely grate the garlic and ginger into the mixture. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds and stir well. Set aside.

Step 3

Pat the eggplant slices dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture and salt. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add the neutral oil.

Step 4

Place the eggplant slices in the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until they are golden brown and tender. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan.

Step 5

Once all the eggplant slices are cooked, arrange them on a serving plate.

Step 6

Drizzle the sesame sauce over the warm eggplant slices. Sprinkle the remaining sesame seeds on top for garnish.

Step 7

Thinly slice the scallions and sprinkle them on top as an optional garnish for added freshness and flavor.

Step 8

Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your Eggplant with Sesame Sauce!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	197.1 grams (197.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	701

Total Fat 66.10g	85%
Saturated Fat 7.50g	38%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.90g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2922mg	127%
Total Carbohydrate 26.10g	9%
Dietary Fiber 3.20g	11%
Total Sugars 18.40g
Protein 8.80g	18%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 50mg	4%
Iron 2mg	13%
Potassium 334mg	7%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 81.0%

Protein: 4.8%

Carbs: 14.2%