Charred Eggplant Tacos (Printable)

Smoky eggplant grilled and served in warm corn tortillas with crisp vegetables and zesty lime.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium eggplants, sliced lengthwise into ½-inch thick strips
02 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
04 - 1 avocado, sliced
05 - 2 cups shredded lettuce

→ Marinade

06 - 3 tbsp olive oil
07 - 2 tbsp lime juice
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - ½ tsp ground cumin
11 - ½ tsp chili powder
12 - ½ tsp salt
13 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Tortillas

14 - 8 small corn tortillas

→ Garnishes

15 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Lime wedges, for serving
17 - Hot sauce (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper until thoroughly combined.
02 - Brush both sides of the eggplant strips generously with the prepared marinade. Allow to sit for 10 minutes to absorb flavors.
03 - Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat until properly hot.
04 - Grill eggplant strips for 4–5 minutes per side until charred and tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
05 - Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or on the grill for about 30 seconds per side. Keep warm in a clean towel.
06 - Layer grilled eggplant, shredded lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, and avocado onto each warmed tortilla.
07 - Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Add hot sauce if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The smoky char on the eggplant gives these tacos an incredible depth that even meat lovers appreciate
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you spent all day cooking
  • You can customize the toppings based on whatever looks fresh at the market
02 -
  • Do not skip the resting time after marinating the eggplant, as those 10 minutes make a huge difference in flavor penetration
  • Crowding the grill pan will steam the eggplant instead of char it, so work in batches if necessary
  • If your tortillas crack when folding, wrap the whole stack in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds
03 -
  • Slice your eggplant lengthwise rather than in rounds for better structural integrity in the tacos
  • If you are using an outdoor grill, oil the grates well to prevent sticking

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