• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
My Pure Plants
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
    • Contact us
    • Media & Press
  • Meal Plans
    • FREE 7-day Vegan Meal Plan (Only Easy Recipes!)
    • Quick Vegan Meals
    • Vegan Christmas Dinner
    • Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner
  • Guides
    • Eggplant
    • Oyster Mushrooms
    • TVP
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Entrees
  • Soups
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Entrees
    • Soups
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home > Vegan Sides

    Grilled Vegetable Napoleon

    By Emese Maczko on 04/03/2023 - May contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe Print Pin

    This grilled vegetable Napoleon is a showstopper with vibrant, char-grilled layers of veggies like eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, portobello mushroom, and more. If you want a visually stunning and flavorful side dish, look no further. Served with aromatic basil pesto, it is stunning and flavorful.

    Different veggie slices are stack on top of each other to create a tower of veggies. It has eggplant, zucchini, sweet potato, onion, red bell pepper and mushroom slices. Green pesto is served around it. It is topped with sprouts and basil leaves.

    Want to save this post?

    Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I’ll send you budget recipes and money-saving tips every week!

    Save Recipe

    If you are looking for other easy vegan eggplant recipes, check out our vegan eggplant parmesan, vegan moussaka, and easy ratatouille.

    Jump to:
    • What to expect?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Cooking tips
    • Variations
    • Serving ideas
    • Equipment
    • Storing tips
    • FAQs
    • More vegetable side dish recipes
    • Grilled Vegetable Napoleon

    What to expect?

    This vegetable side dish was inspired by the popular layered desserts, the Russian Napoleon cake, and the French Mille-Feuille. Since the same layered technique was applied to make this savory grilled vegetable Napoleon. The stacked nature of the dish adds a touch of elegance, making it a show-stopping side dish that might just steal the show. 

    The vegetables (portobello mushrooms, eggplant, sweet potatoes, zucchini, onion, and bell pepper) are seasoned with aromatic oregano and fresh basil, then grilled to perfection until they’re smoky, charred, and irresistibly savory. It is an explosion of flavors that will awe your taste buds with every bite.

    To take the dish to the next level, we added a basil pesto that packs fresh, herbaceous notes, complementing the veggies perfectly. This recipe is easy to follow, requiring only a few ingredients and simple steps. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, this grilled vegetable Napoleon is a must-try recipe that will leave your taste buds singing!

    Different veggie slices are stack on top of each other to create a tower of veggies. It has eggplant, zucchini, sweet potato, onion, red bell pepper and mushroom slices. Green pesto is served around it. It is topped with sprouts and basil leaves.
    A heart shape puzzle of vegetables with a text overlay saying 7-day meal plan
    FREE 7-Day Vegan Meal Plan

    Subscribe to our newsletters and download it right now.

    Ingredients

    We highly recommend using the freshest produce to ensure maximum flavor. However, if you’re short on time or unable to find certain ingredients, don’t worry – you can make some easy substitutions. You will get more into variations further down below!

    The ingredients of vegetable napoleon on a marble surface including eggplant, zucchini, sweet potato, red bell pepper, mushroom, onion and 4 spices in small glass bowls.
    • Red bell pepper – any color would do
    • Zucchini
    • Eggplant
    • Sweet potatoes – butternut squash, or pumpkin can also be used
    • Portobello mushrooms – other types of mushrooms can work as well, although large portobello mushroom caps fit the best to create a stack
    • Onion
    • Oregano
    • Basil

    🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Instructions

    Preparing the ingredients

    1. Begin by cleaning the portobello mushrooms and removing the stems.
    2. Slice the eggplant into rounds that are approximately 0.5 cm thick. Sprinkle them with salt and leave them on a paper towel until you prepare everything else. Gently wipe the slices dry before grilling.
    3. To ensure your veggie stack looks perfect, cut all the other veggies to match the size of the mushroom caps and eggplant discs.
    4. Peel the sweet potatoes and slice them horizontally to get 0.5 cm thick slices.
    5. Wash the medium zucchini, and slice them horizontally into 0.5 cm thick slices.
    6. Peel and slice the onion into discs.
    7. Wash the bell pepper and slice it.

    Grilling vegetables

    1. Mix olive oil, oregano, and basil in a small bowl to make a quick marinade.
    2. Preheat a grill pan on medium heat and add oil. Divide the veggies into three groups, depending on the size of your pan.
    3. Once the pan is hot, add the first group, eggplant, and mushroom. Grill them for 4-5 minutes on both sides.
    4. Once the veggies are cooked enough that they are tender but still have a slight crunch, brush them with the seasoning and grill them for another 2 minutes.
    Grill pan with 2 charred portobello mushrooms caps and 2 eggplant slices.
    1. Next up are the sweet potato and zucchini slices. Grill them for 4-5 minutes on both sides. Brush them with the spice mix and grill them for another 2 minutes.
    Grill pan with 2 charred sweet potato, and 2 charred zucchini slices.
    1. The last group would be the red bell pepper and the onion. Do the same as before. Grill them without the seasoning for 4-5 minutes, then after brushing them for another 2 minutes.
    Grill pan with 2 charred onion slices and 4 red bell pepper pieces.

    Assembling the vegetable napoleon

    1. Once all the vegetables are grilled, it’s time to assemble the Napoleon dish.
    2. Begin by placing a slice of eggplant on the plate.
    3. Add a layer of sweet potatoes, followed by a layer of zucchini, bell pepper, onion slice, and a portobello mushroom on top.
    4. Repeat this layering process until you have a tall vegetable Napoleon stack.
    5. Top the stack with sprouts or fresh herbs for an extra pop of color and flavor.
    6. Serve with a dollop of pesto on the side. Enjoy!
    Different veggie slices are stack on top of each other to create a tower of veggies. It has eggplant, zucchini, sweet potato, onion, red bell pepper and mushroom slices. Green pesto is served around it. It is topped with sprouts and basil leaves.

    Cooking tips

    • Slice the veggies uniformly – To ensure the vegetables cook evenly, try to slice them as uniformly as possible. This will help in creating an aesthetically pleasing vegetable Napoleon.
    • Use oil or cooking spray – To prevent the vegetables from sticking to the grill pan, lightly brush them before placing them on the pan. You can also use a non-stick spray.
    • Crunch up the dish – To add some crunch and freshness, top the stacks with some toasted nuts or seeds, such as pine nuts or sunflower seeds, and some micro greens or chopped herbs like basil, parsley, or cilantro.
    Different veggie slices are stack on top of each other to create a tower of veggies. It has eggplant, zucchini, sweet potato, onion, red bell pepper and mushroom slices. Green pesto is served around it. It is topped with sprouts and basil leaves.

    Variations

    • Substitute different veggies – You can use any vegetables of your choice, such as asparagus, carrots, or yellow squash. You can also substitute sweet potatoes with regular potatoes. If portobello mushrooms are hard to source, you can use any type of mushroom available to you. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
    • Use different seasonings – Experiment with different herbs and spices for the seasoning, such as thyme or rosemary, to give the dish a unique flavor.
    • Sauce alternatives – If you don’t have access to pesto, you can try using tomato sauce, yogurt, or hummus as a substitute. Check out our spinach pesto and sun-dried tomato pesto recipes for inspiration!
    • Create a creamy texture – Add a cashew cream, vegan cream cheese, or vegan sour cream layer between the vegetables.
    Different veggie slices are stack on top of each other to create a tower of veggies. It has eggplant, zucchini, sweet potato, onion, red bell pepper and mushroom slices. Green pesto is served around it. It is topped with sprouts and basil leaves.

    Serving ideas

    • Top it off: Add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, or some chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds on top of the dish to add a layer of flavor and texture.
    • Pair it with a protein: This dish is versatile and pairs well with many proteins. For a vegetarian option, try serving it with a tofu steak or a cauliflower steak. 
    • Make it a meal: While this dish can be served as a side, you can make it a full meal by serving it with a grain such as quinoa, rice, or couscous. Add some roasted chickpeas or black beans for added protein and texture.
    • Serve with dips: You can serve this dish with different dips like hummus, vegan tzatziki, or guacamole to enhance the flavors and textures of the vegetables.
    • Substitute vegetables: Feel free to swap out any of the vegetables in this recipe with your favorites. You can also experiment with spices and herbs to create unique flavor combinations.
    Different veggie slices are stack on top of each other to create a tower of veggies. It has eggplant, zucchini, sweet potato, onion, red bell pepper and mushroom slices. Green pesto is served around it. It is topped with sprouts and basil leaves.

    Equipment

    • Grill pan – a grill pan will help you get beautiful grill marks on your vegetables and add a nice smoky flavor. For a larger batch, use a griddle or an outdoor grill. Our little trick is to use aluminum foil drip pans to make grilling these vegetables easier.

    Storing tips

    Vegetable Napoleon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can turn leftovers into grilled veggie sandwich for lunch.

    To reheat: Preheat the oven to 350 °F (ca. 177 °C) and place the stack on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the stack with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

    To freeze: Wrap the vegetable Napoleon stack in plastic wrap and then in foil, and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat from frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then follow the same instructions for reheating in the oven.

    FAQs

    What makes a dish Napoleon?

    Whether it is a Russian or French dessert or a savory, vegetable side dish, when you see the name Napoleon, you should think of many layers stacked on each other.

    How to make a vegetable Napoleon?

    First, marinate vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, sweet potato, bell pepper, and onion. Then grill them in a grill pan or on an outdoor grill. Stack them with a sauce of your liking, for example, pesto, cream cheese, sour cream, or tomato-based sauces. Our recipe will show you all the things you need to know.

    More vegetable side dish recipes

    • Black cast iron skillet with slightly brown red and green bell pepper strips and red onion slices.
      Fajita Veggies (Chipotle Copycat)
    • Close-up of roasted brown crispy seasoned red, yellow, green bell pepper strips after baking with tongs taking a couple of them.
      Sheet Pan Fajita Veggies (Flavorful & EASY!)
    • Grilled Vegetable Kabobs (+5 Marinades)

    THANK YOU so much for visiting our website. Please comment below if you have tried this recipe. We LOVE hearing from you! If you loved the recipe, please don’t forget to give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ RATING. We appreciate all of our readers.  

    Different colorful vegetables drawn as icons on an orange background in a shape of a heart.

    ⇒ GET OUR FREE 7-DAY VEGAN MEAL PLAN E-BOOK NOW! OR CHECK OUT ALL VEGAN MEAL PLAN RECIPES! ⇐

    Different veggie slices are stack on top of each other to create a tower of veggies. It has eggplant, zucchini, sweet potato, onion, red bell pepper and mushroom slices. Green pesto is served around it. It is topped with sprouts and basil leaves.

    Grilled Vegetable Napoleon

    Emese Maczko
    This grilled vegetable napoleon is a showstopper with vibrant, char-grilled layers of veggies like eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, portobello mushroom, and more. If you want a visually stunning and flavorful side dish, look no further. Served with aromatic basil pesto, it is stunning and flavorful.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 226kcal

    Equipment

    • Grill pan

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 Red bell pepper
    • 1 Zucchini
    • 1 Eggplant (medium)
    • 2 Sweet potato
    • 2 Portobello mushrooms
    • 1 Onion (medium)
    • 1 tsp Oregano
    • 1 tsp Basil
    • 2 Tbsp Olive oil
    • 1 tsp Salt
    • ¼ tsp Black pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    EXCLUSIVE 5-ingredient recipes for busy home cooks that are ready in 15 minutes!Check out our Express Vegan Cookbook!

    Instructions
     

    Prepare the vegetables

    • Clean and remove the stem of the portobello mushrooms.
    • Wash and slice eggplant approx. 0.5 cm thick. Sprinkle some salt on top and leave it on a paper towel for a couple of minutes. Pat it dry before grilling.
    • To build the perfect stack, cut all other veggies to match the size of the mushroom and eggplant discs.
    • Wash and peel sweet potatoes. Cut them horizontally to get 0.5 cm thick slices.
    • Wash zucchini. No need to peel them. Cut them horizontally to get 0.5 cm thick slices.
    • Peel and slice the onion to create discs.
    • Wash and slice the bell pepper to the size of the eggplant.
    • Grill the vegetables
    • In a seperate bowl, mix oil, oregano, and basil to make a quick marinade.
    • Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Add a bit of oil.
    • Add as many vegetables as you can spread in one layer. Season them with salt and pepper. Brush the top of the vegetables with the marinade. Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side.
    • Assemble the vegetable Napoleon, by layering the veggies in your preferred order. Top the stack with sprouts or fresh herbs. Serve it with pesto.
    Tried this recipe? Can we see it?Please share a picture with us by uploading an image to Pinterest below ours.

    Video

    [adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”mdiRU1qU” upload-date=”2023-04-03T11:02:43.000Z” name=”Grilled Vegetable Napoleon” description=”Looking for a dish that’s both visually stunning and packed with flavor? Look no further than the Grilled Vegetable Napoleon! With layers of vibrant, char-grilled vegetables, this vegetarian option is a showstopper that is guaranteed to impress. Whether you’re looking for a light summer meal or a standout side dish for your next dinner party, the Vegetable Napoleon is perfect.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Grilled Vegetable Napoleon
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
    Calories 226 Calories from Fat 72
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 8g12%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Trans Fat 0.003g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 5g
    Sodium 656mg29%
    Potassium 1035mg30%
    Carbohydrates 37g12%
    Fiber 9g38%
    Sugar 13g14%
    Protein 5g10%
    Vitamin A 17098IU342%
    Vitamin C 54mg65%
    Calcium 71mg7%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    186 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

      Leave a comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating





      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. violet

      October 24, 2024 at 8:04 am

      I love how you explained that; it makes so much sense!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Portrait of Emese and Nandi My Pure Plants

    Hi, we are Emese Maczkó and Nándor Barta, the founders and recipe creators behind My Pure Plants. We are sharing our knowledge and expertise in vegan recipes and encourage you to try home-cooked meals using locally-sourced, organic, whole foods.

    More about us →

    Reader Favorites

    • A large white bowl with white rice and sticky brown battered strips on top sprinkled with sesame seeds, orange peels and chopped spring onion
      Crispy Vegan Orange Chicken (Copycat Panda Express)
    • Lots of spring rolls cut in half and arranged in a semi-circular dish facing upwards around a brown dipping sauce.
      Crispy Rice Paper Spring Rolls
    • A burger with layers of green ruffled lettuce, yellow sauce, thin cheese slices, dark brown burger patty twice, sliced pickles and white chopped onion.
      Meaty Vegan TVP Burger (Big Mac Style)
    • Copycat IKEA Veggie Balls

    Hearty stews

    • Vegetable stew in a red white enameled Dutch oven with lots of chopped vegetables like potatoes, carrots, mushroom, celery and red kidney beans. Topped with freshly chopped green herbs.
      The Best Hearty Vegetable Stew
    • 2 white bowls with thick brown stew, lentils, chopped veggies and a couple of dumplings. The remaining stew is in a red-white Dutch oven.
      Vegan Stew with Dumplings
    • Red Dutch oven from above with a stew where you can see chopped potatoes, spinach leaves, carrot slices, tomatoes, and mushroom slices. Slices of bread is next to it. A hand is holding a spoon taking some from the middle
      Jackfruit Stew (Vegan Beef Stew)
    • Cast iron skillet with veggie stew topped with puff pastry in a lattice pattern.
      Vegan Pot Pie
    Portrait of Emese and Nandi My Pure Plants

    Hi, we are Emese Maczkó and Nándor Barta, the founders and recipe creators behind My Pure Plants. We are sharing our knowledge and expertise in vegan recipes and encourage you to try home-cooked meals using locally-sourced, organic, whole foods.

    More about us →

    Reader Favorites

    • A large white bowl with white rice and sticky brown battered strips on top sprinkled with sesame seeds, orange peels and chopped spring onion
      Crispy Vegan Orange Chicken (Copycat Panda Express)
    • Lots of spring rolls cut in half and arranged in a semi-circular dish facing upwards around a brown dipping sauce.
      Crispy Rice Paper Spring Rolls
    • A burger with layers of green ruffled lettuce, yellow sauce, thin cheese slices, dark brown burger patty twice, sliced pickles and white chopped onion.
      Meaty Vegan TVP Burger (Big Mac Style)
    • Copycat IKEA Veggie Balls

    Hearty stews

    • Vegetable stew in a red white enameled Dutch oven with lots of chopped vegetables like potatoes, carrots, mushroom, celery and red kidney beans. Topped with freshly chopped green herbs.
      The Best Hearty Vegetable Stew
    • 2 white bowls with thick brown stew, lentils, chopped veggies and a couple of dumplings. The remaining stew is in a red-white Dutch oven.
      Vegan Stew with Dumplings
    • Red Dutch oven from above with a stew where you can see chopped potatoes, spinach leaves, carrot slices, tomatoes, and mushroom slices. Slices of bread is next to it. A hand is holding a spoon taking some from the middle
      Jackfruit Stew (Vegan Beef Stew)
    • Cast iron skillet with veggie stew topped with puff pastry in a lattice pattern.
      Vegan Pot Pie

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Contact
    • About
    • Media & Press
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Nutritional disclaimer
    • General Disclaimer

    Categories

    • Vegan Main Dishes
    • Vegan Soups
    • Vegan Desserts
    • Vegan Pasta Sauces
    • Vegan Sides

    Seasonal

    • Vegan Lentil Loaf
    • Vegan Shredded Chicken
    • Chickpea Mushroom Curry
    • Hokkaido Pumpkin Soup
    • Vegan Bechamel

    Quick links

    • TVP Recipes
    • Quick Vegan Meals
    • Creamy Vegan Soups
    • Rice Paper Recipes
    • Oyster Mushroom Recipes

    This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

    Stock images for articles by Depositphotos.com.

    Copyright © 2018-2024

    186 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.