Chef John's Baba Ghanoush

4.8
(60)

No matter what you're grilling this summer, chances are good you're going to have more hot coals than food to cook on it, which makes baba ghanoush the perfect post-barbecue recipe. This is a wonderfully savory yet refreshing vegetable dip.

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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Additional Time:
3 hrs 20 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 55 mins
Servings:
12
Yield:
6 cups

Ingredients

  • 4 large Italian eggplants

  • 2 cloves crushed garlic

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste

  • 1 lemon, juiced, or more to taste

  • 3 tablespoons tahini, or more to taste

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt

  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

  • 1 leaf fresh mint, minced (Optional)

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley

Directions

  1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Prick the surface of the skin of eggplants several times with the tip of a knife.

  2. Place eggplants directly on grill. Turn frequently with tongs while skin chars. Cook until eggplants have collapsed and are very soft, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover tightly with aluminum foil and allow to cool, about 15 minutes.

  3. When eggplants are cool enough to handle, split them in half and scrape flesh into a colander placed over a bowl. Drain 5 or 10 minutes.

  4. Transfer eggplant to mixing bowl. Add crushed garlic and salt; mash until creamy but with a little texture, about 5 minutes. Whisk in lemon juice, tahini, olive oil, and cayenne pepper. Stir in yogurt.

  5. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely chilled, 3 or 4 hours. Taste to adjust seasonings. Stir in mint and parsley.

    close up view of Baba Ghanoush garnished with oil and fresh herbs in a white bowl
    Chef John

Chef's Note

You can cook the eggplant any way you want, but charcoal is my favorite. The next best is cooked over a gas burner, but that can mess up your stove, so the real next best is baked in a preheated 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) oven until they collapse and get very soft.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

111 Calories
6g Fat
15g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 111
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 331mg 14%
Total Carbohydrate 15g 5%
Dietary Fiber 8g 29%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 3g 6%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 43mg 3%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 554mg 12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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