Cooking Methods BBQ & Grilling Grilled Vegetable Grilled Eggplant Grilled Eggplant Salad 5.0 (2) 2 Reviews This easy grilled eggplant salad is the healthy side dish you'll want to serve all summer long. It comes together in just 25 minutes and can be served warm or at room temperature, so it's equally suited to casual parties and weeknight dinners. The combination of eggplant, cherry tomatoes, red peppers, red onions and fresh herbs creates a salad that's full of bright flavors and colors. Serve it with grilled chicken or fish or as part of a vegetarian mezze platter with dips like hummus and pita bread. By Julia Levy Julia Levy Julia Levy has been working in recipe publishing for almost a decade, but testing recipes for as long as she's been able to wield a spoon. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 25, 2024 Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters. Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Christa Brown is a registered dietitian and business owner with a practice focus on diabetes management and content development for brands and fitness influencers. She is a licensed dietitian with a Master of Science in Nutrition Education and a certification in gut health by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Prep Time: 25 mins Total Time: 25 mins Servings: 4 Yield: 4 cups Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb Nut-Free Dairy-Free Healthy Immunity Soy-Free High-Fiber Vegan Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie Jump to Nutrition Facts Jump to recipe Antioxidant-rich veggies get a smoky upgrade in this Grilled Eggplant Salad. Mild eggplant, sweet red bell pepper and spicy red onion get a pleasant char from the grill while juicy cherry tomatoes add a pop of color. Scallions, mint and parsley bring an herby freshness that complements the zesty za'atar, zingy lemon and heart-healthy olive oil dressing. Keep reading for expert tips, including how to make your own za'atar seasoning if you can't find it at the store. Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you, too! To ensure you have enough eggplant, weigh it at the grocery store. It should weigh about 1 pound.To oil a grill rack, oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.)To keep smaller vegetables from falling through the grill grates, use a basket or skewers.If you have a lot of mint, store it in the refrigerator in a glass of water like you would flowers and tent the top of it with a plastic bag. It should last 3 to 5 days. Nutrition Notes Eggplant is a nightshade vegetable that provides a variety of nutrients. While some avoid nightshades due to believing that they're inflammatory, most research does not support this and suggests the opposite for most people. The fiber in eggplant acts as a prebiotic, feeding your beneficial gut bacteria. Red bell pepper is loaded with vitamins C and A and antioxidants. Bell peppers also provide filling prebiotic fiber and have been linked to reducing inflammation and disease risk, and a healthy immune system, brain and eyes. Like eggplant, cherry tomatoes are also in the nightshade family of vegetables. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins C and A, making them valuable for immunity and healthy vision. They also provide fiber and antioxidants and are especially rich in the antioxidant lycopene, which is linked to reduced risk of cancer and heart disease. The herbs and spices in this dish add some vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. And while it's a small amount since they're not used in large quantities, when added regularly to your recipes, their health benefits will add up over time. Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients ¼ cup olive oil 2 teaspoons za’atar (see FAQs) 1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon), divided 1 medium eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices 1 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and quartered lengthwise ½ medium red onion, peeled and cut into 1-inch wedges through the root Cooking spray 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes ¾ cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh mint ½ teaspoon salt Directions Preheat a grill to medium-high. Combine 1/4 cup oil, 2 teaspoons za'atar and 1 teaspoon lemon zest in a small bowl. Brush 1 side of eggplant slices with half of the oil mixture; reserve the remaining mixture. Oil the grill rack (see Tips). Grill the eggplant, uncovered, turning often, until tender and grill marks appear on both sides, about 5 minutes total. Cut the eggplant into 1/4-inch pieces and transfer to a large bowl. Coat bell pepper quarters and onion wedges with cooking spray. Grill, uncovered, until tender and charred, about 5 minutes. Chop the pepper into 3/4-inch pieces. Remove and discard onion stem. Add the peppers, onions, 1 cup tomatoes, 3/4 cup parsley, 1/4 cup scallions and 1/4 cup mint to the bowl with the eggplant. Add 3 tablespooons lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the reserved oil mixture; whisk to combine. Drizzle over the vegetables and toss to coat. Frequently Asked Questions Can I make eggplant salad ahead of time? Absolutely. You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days—fresh is always best though. If you can, keep the herbs and dressing separate until ready to serve for a fresher result. How do I choose the best eggplant? For fewer seeds, choose smaller eggplants. Make sure the eggplant is shiny and with a deep purple color, smooth and unblemished with a green stem. When gently pressed, the flesh should not be mushy or tough. It should feel springy. What is za'atar? The Middle Eastern spice blend za'atar is a flavorful mix of thyme, sumac, salt, sesame seeds and sometimes other herbs. Look for it in the bulk-spice section of natural foods stores, in specialty foods stores, in the spice section of some grocery stores or online. To make your own za'atar: Combine 1 teaspoon each ground sumac, sesame seeds and dried thyme with 1/4 teaspoon salt. What should I serve with eggplant salad? For a light meal, serve it with a basket of pita bread. As a side dish, eggplant salad goes well with anything fresh off the grill, including veggie burgers and lamb, chicken or beef kebabs, grilled tofu, seafood and more. EatingWell.com, May 2019 Rate It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 191 Calories 15g Fat 14g Carbs 3g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 4 Serving Size 1 cup Calories 191 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 14g 5% Dietary Fiber 6g 20% Total Sugars 7g Protein 3g 5% Total Fat 15g 19% Saturated Fat 2g 11% Vitamin A 2516IU 50% Vitamin C 69mg 76% Folate 77mcg 19% Sodium 306mg 13% Calcium 60mg 5% Iron 2mg 12% Magnesium 38mg 9% Potassium 552mg 12% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs. Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. Carrie Myers, M.S. Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a freelance writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines and Linda Frahm Linda Frahm Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines