Grilled Beef and Eggplant Rolls are a flavorful, satisfying dish that combines smoky grilled vegetables with savory, seasoned beef. This Mediterranean-inspired recipe is perfect for a summer dinner, a casual gathering, or as a beautiful centerpiece for a mezze platter.
The dish starts with thin slices of eggplant, which are brushed with olive oil and grilled until tender and slightly charred. The grilling process enhances the eggplant’s natural sweetness and gives it a soft, pliable texture that’s ideal for rolling.
The filling typically includes ground beef seasoned with garlic, onion, cumin, paprika, and fresh herbs like parsley or mint. Some versions also incorporate finely chopped nuts, breadcrumbs, or cooked rice to add texture and stretch the filling. Once the beef mixture is browned and fragrant, it’s ready to be wrapped.
To assemble, each grilled eggplant slice is topped with a spoonful of the beef mixture, then gently rolled into a compact cylinder. The rolls can be arranged in a baking dish and topped with a light tomato sauce or a drizzle of tahini, depending on your flavor preference. A sprinkle of crumbled feta or a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving adds brightness and depth.
These rolls work beautifully as a main dish when paired with a simple green salad, herbed couscous, or warm pita bread. They’re also a great choice for meal prep, as they hold up well in the fridge and reheat easily.
Grilled Beef and Eggplant Rolls strike a balance between rich and fresh, hearty and light. They’re a great way to incorporate vegetables into a meat-forward dish, and their elegant presentation makes them feel a little more special than your average weeknight dinner. Whether served hot or at room temperature, they deliver big flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef sirloin thinly sliced
- 1 eggplant large, sliced into thin strips
- 2 Garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Marinate the beef sirloin in the sauce for at least 20 minutes.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the eggplant slices for about 2 minutes on each side, until they are tender and slightly charred. Remove from the grill and set aside.
- Remove the beef sirloin from the marinade and shake off any excess sauce.
- Place a slice of grilled eggplant on top of each beef slice.
- Roll up the beef and eggplant together, securing each roll with a toothpick.
- Grill the rolls for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until the beef is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Remove the rolls from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.
Nutrition
I don’t understand why people like eggplant. It just tastes… weird.
I used to think eggplant was gross too, but when it’s grilled like this, it’s so tasty! You should give it another try!
LOVE it! I used less soy sauce and added some chili flakes for a kick. Perfect!
Sounds amazing! I love adding chili flakes to things. Definitely gonna try this variation! 🌶️
Grilled eggplant yuck! Not for me! Could’ve just used zucchini instead.
Yummyyyy!!! Love grilled stuff and this is perfect for summer!
Grill?? No way!! I’ll just fry them! Less time!!
The directions were unclear and I burned my beef! Not impressed. 😩
Sorry to hear that! Maybe try cooking the beef for a shorter time next time?
You gotta pay more attention when cooking! Follow the instructions closely or it’ll end up burnt.
Wait, do we need to peel the eggplant first? I was wondering.
I had to substitute eggplant with zucchini, and it still turned out great. Easy and tasty!
Substituting eggplant with zucchini? Really? I don’t know if that would taste the same. Are you sure it was good?
That’s awesome! Zucchini is a great substitute, and I’m glad it turned out tasty. Can’t wait to try it myself!
This is like a fancy dinner! 👌 It was so good, I could eat it every day.
It looks good, but beef and eggplant? 🤨 I don’t know, man! Sounds weird. Is it really that tasty?
I totally agree! This dish looks so elegant, and the flavors are fantastic. Definitely gonna try it myself! 🥢
Looks good, but I bet you can’t even taste the eggplant with all that beef! Would it still work if I swapped it for zucchini?
I made these for my family and they didn’t like the eggplant. Maybe it’s just us? Anyway, the beef was ok.
Easy to make but I think the sauce is a bit overpowering. Next time I’ll use less soy sauce.
Yum!!! Best dinner ever!!! ❤️
Totally agree! The flavors are amazing! ❤️
Looks good, but what if I don’t like eggplant? Can I use zucchini instead?
I had a lot of trouble grilling the eggplant. It just fell apart. Maybe slicing it thinner would help?
Yeah, slicing the eggplant thinner could really help! I’ve had the same issue before. Just make sure you also salt it beforehand to draw out some moisture. Good luck!
These rolls are amazing! I can’t believe how well the flavors blend. Highly recommend! 😍
I dunno… beef and eggplant? Seems weird. 😕
I totally agree! These rolls are the best thing I’ve made in ages! 🤤
Why use sesame oil? It’s just too strong. I would skip that next time.
Easy to follow! I cooked this for my friends and they loved it. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely delicious! The flavors were spot on!
Fire! 🔥 This recipe is a keeper! I added some chili flakes for a kick. Yum!!
The beef was tough. Maybe I overcooked it?
Yeah, overcooking can definitely make beef tough. Try to grill it just right next time! Maybe aim for medium rare?
Kinda complicated for me. I just wanted a quick recipe.
Is it just me or does marinating beef in soy sauce make it taste salty? 🤔
This recipe was amazing! The flavors were out of this world. Will definitely make again!
I don’t know about this one, guys. Eggplant? Really? Who puts eggplant on beef?
I don’t know man, eggplant seems strange. I like my beef just straight up with nothin on it.
Eggplant actually complements beef really well! It’s not that weird. You should give it a try before judging.
YUMMY 🤤 Definitely making this again. The flavors were on point and it looked great!
Why would you put eggplant with beef? That’s just wrong. Tastes okay but not worth the trouble.
I actually think eggplant with beef is a clever combo! You should give it another try, maybe with some different spices. 😋
Nah, I stick to beef with potatoes! Eggplant is too weird for me, and it just spoils everything.
Took me ages to roll them up right! But they tasted great, so worth it.
These were a disaster! My grill caught fire and I ended up ordering pizza. Ugh!
Beef and eggplant? Sounds weird but surprisingly, it wasn’t bad. Still not my favorite tho.
I don’t get how people like mixing beef with eggplant. It’s just strange! Chicken would have been better, trust me.
I loved it! The flavors really worked together for me. Give it another try; it might grow on you!
Grillin’ these now! Smells delicious! Can’t wait to taste them!! 😊
I tried this recipe and it didn’t turn out like the picture. The beef was too tough.
I dunno, I always find beef tough unless you cook it for ages. Maybe try a different cut next time?
Sorry to hear that! Did you let the beef marinade long enough? Also, how thick were your slices? They might need to be thinner for easier grilling.
Grill?? I don’t have one lol. Can I just bake it? Hope it turns out good.
Baking should work fine! Just make sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t dry out. Good luck!
These grilled rolls are amazing! The marinade gives everything so much flavor. My kids loved it!
These rolls sound good, but I bet my kids won’t eat eggplant. They’re picky eaters!
I’m so glad to hear that! My kids loved it too! What did you serve it with?
Um, who even eats eggplant? Just use more beef, amirite? 😂
So easy! I skipped the toothpicks, just folded them. Same taste, less hassle.
I didn’t have oyster sauce so I used teriyaki… it taste fine but not sure it was right! lol!
Teriyaki might not be traditional, but if it tastes good to you, that’s what matters! Cooking is all about experimenting. 😄
I dunno… teriyaki is sweet, right? Oyster sauce has a different flavor. If it was fine, maybe you got lucky? 🤔
Quick and simple! I like that you can prepare it in under an hour. Will make again.
I tried this recipe and it took me longer than an hour. Maybe I just cook slow? Lol.
Simple and delicious! My whole family loved it! Thanks for sharing.
It was ok, but I think I need more sauce… maybe add hoisin sauce next time?
These were absolutely delicious! The flavors were so good together.
Delicious? Really? I thought it sounded kinda weird with eggplant and beef together.
I’m glad you liked them! They really are a great combo of flavors.
I’ve never cooked beef before, but this seemed easy enough. Gonna try it tonight!
You got this! Beef is easier than it sounds. Just keep an eye on it while grilling.
Took me a while to get the grill right, but once I did, these rolls were a hit. Nice!
Honestly, I wasn’t sure about this combo, but it works!
Absolutely! Didn’t think eggplant could go with beef like this. It’s a hit!
So delish! My kids even liked them. I’ll definitely make these for our next BBQ.
Sounds great! I’m always looking for kid-friendly recipes. Can’t wait to try this at our next family gathering.
Ugh, didn’t turn out for me. The beef was too tough and the eggplant was mushy. Fail!
Great recipe, but I’m not a fan of cilantro. I replaced it with parsley instead.
Making these again for sure! Everyone loved them! 🙌
Too much soy sauce for my taste. I think I would reduce it next time.
So easy to make! My whole family loved it. Will definitely make again!
I don’t like eggplants. Can I use zucchini instead?
These are amazing!! I love the combo of beef and eggplant. So flavorful!
I thought there was gonna be more to it… kinda bland, honestly.
Too much oil for my taste. It just made everything greasy. Not a fan.
Yeah, I felt like it was a bit greasy too! Maybe use less oil next time?
I find the oil helps with flavor! But I guess some might find it too much. Each to their own!
Absolutely delicious! My family loved it. Can’t believe healthy can taste so good!