10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (2024)

Jump to Recipe
10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (1)

Looking for some easy eggplant recipes? Here are 10+ vegan eggplant recipes you’ll want to save for later.

What’s not to love about eggplants? They’re a great source of fiber and antioxidants, they’re low in calories, and they taste delicious. But there’s more: eggplants are also an excellent choice when you want to make a vegan dish.

They’re versatile and easy-to-cook vegetables that can be used in many different types of recipes. In this list, you’ll find 10+ vegan eggplant recipes that will inspire you to try out this healthy vegetable on your next dinner date or weeknight meal!

And in case you’re not a fan of eggplants yet, here are some reasons that might change your mind:

  • Eggplants are low in calories. Moreover, they contain fewer calories than most other vegetables, making them a good choice for weight loss.
  • Eggplants are high in fiber and can help you feel full longer, which can prevent overeating. This makes them an excellent addition to any weight-loss program!
  • Eggplant is a good source of vitamins A, C, and potassium in addition to other essential nutrients.
  • In addition, eggplants contain precious antioxidants which may help reduce inflammation in the body.

Now that you know a bit about the many health benefits of eggplants, let’s talk about how to use them in cooking! 🙂

As a vegetable that requires little more than a little salt, pepper, and olive oil to cook with, eggplant is one of the most versatile vegetables around. You can bake it in the oven, grill it on an outdoor grill or fry it up for some crispy bites of goodness.

Smart ideas for cooking with eggplant

Eggplant is an excellent replacement for meat in many vegan dishes. You can use eggplants to make omelets, tacos, sandwiches, and other dishes that usually feature chicken or beef.

Here are some ideas:

  • Make a vegan grilled cheese sandwich with grilled eggplant slices instead of cheese between the bread slices.
  • Use grated peeled eggplant as “meat” in spaghetti sauce or lasagna (or any other pasta dish).
  • Steam large pieces of peeled eggplant until soft then slice them into strips before adding them to stir fry.
  • You can also use eggplant as a burger patty in place of ground beef. Just slice the eggplant into thin rounds and pan-fry them with some olive oil until browned on both sides. Add some vegan cheese, lettuce, and tomato slices (or any other ingredients you like on your burgers) before serving!

Tips for cooking eggplant perfectly every time

  • Don’t overcook your eggplant. When you’re cooking eggplant, it’s best to cook them on low heat and not rush the process. Overcooking can cause bitterness that will negatively affect the flavor of your dish.
  • Don’t add salt before cooking. Adding salt before adding your eggplant can cause the water to escape too quickly, which will result in a soggy texture when cooked.
  • Don’t use high heat. If you’re cooking your eggplant on high heat, it will be difficult for any of the nutrients in the fruit to be released into its flesh. Instead, cook them on low heat so that they can absorb all of their delicious properties.

I hope this post has given you some inspiration to try cooking with eggplant. There are so many different ways to use eggplant in recipes and it’s such a versatile vegetable that can be used in almost any dish. It is also a great healthy option for you!

To get started with your eggplant cooking adventure, check out my list of 10+ vegan eggplant recipes below!

Vegan Eggplant Recipes

Links to full recipes are in each recipe title.

Eggplant Burger

You’ll love this eggplant burger recipe! This vegan burger recipe is extremely easy to make, has a subtle garlic taste and strong za’atar flavor.

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (2)

Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce

This recipe for Chinese eggplant with garlic sauce is one of my favorite ways of cooking eggplant! Give it a try and enjoy it with a side of rice or rice noodles.

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (3)

Imam Bayildi

Craving a delicious comfort meal with eggplants? Try Imam Bayildi – baked stuffed eggplants with a delicious meaty stuffing.

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (4)

Vegan Eggplant Parmesan

This mouthwatering vegan eggplant parmesan recipe is probably the best way of eating eggplants! It’s incredibly flavorful and the extra-cheesy texture makes it the perfect, comfort meal. Give it a try!

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (5)

Vegan Eggplant Bacon

What do bacon and eggplant have in common? Oh, you’ll be surprised! Just try this recipe for vegan eggplant bacon and you’ll be amazed to discover a unique way of making vegan bacon!

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (6)

Vegan Greek Moussaka

Here’s how to make the popular Greek moussaka recipe – vegan! This delicious vegan eggplant casserole will surely become one of your favorite meals!

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (7)

Miso-Roasted Eggplant with Turmeric-Tahini Sauce

If you love Middle Eastern cuisine, then you’ll definitely adore this recipe for roasted eggplant. it has miso, turmeric, and tahini – all the good things in life! Recipe created by Dishing Out Health.

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (8)

Vegan Eggplant Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles

Did you know you can make vegan eggplant meatballs? Yes, it’s possible and they’re absolutely delicious paired with any type of pasta or zoodles! Recipe created by My Darling Vegan.

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (9)

Braised Harissa Eggplant with Chickpeas

If you’re in the mood for something comforting and delicious, here’s how to make the best braised eggplant stew with harissa and chickpeas! Recipe created by The First Mess.

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (10)

Creamy Eggplant Curry With Chickpeas

I just love a good curry, especially if it has eggplant in it! If you’re the same, then you absolutely have to try this creamy eggplant curry! Recipe created by Ela Vegan.

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (11)

Eggplant Lasagna

Who doesn’t love lasagna? This vegan version with eggplant is one of the best ones I ever tried! Recipe created by Contentedness Cooking.

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (12)

Vegan Baked Eggplant Fries Recipe

When you’re craving some junk food but still want to keep things healthy, I recommend making these vegan eggplant fries. Baked, not fried. Super healthy and delicious! Recipe created by Veggies Don’t Bite.

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (13)

Vegan Eggplant Recipes

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (14)

Looking for some easy eggplant recipes? Here are 10+ vegan eggplant recipes you’ll want to save for later.

Instructions

  1. Choose your favorite vegan eggplant recipe.
  2. Organize all the ingredients.
  3. Prep a simple recipe with eggplants!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

10+ Best Vegan Eggplant Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to cooking eggplant? ›

"When you lay them on the tray to roast, make sure they're in a single layer and give them enough room to roast properly. Eggplant is about 80 to 90 percent water, so when you put them in the oven they need space to evaporate all that water and caramelize properly," says Covarrubias.

Why do you not salt eggplant before cooking? ›

Older recipes call for salting eggplant to draw out the bitter juices, but today's eggplants are less bitter (unless very large), so salting is largely unnecessary. It will, however, help the spongy flesh absorb less oil and crisp up like a dream.

Should you peel eggplant before cooking? ›

While the skin of a small young eggplant is edible, the skin becomes bitter on larger or older eggplants and should be peeled. When in doubt, the answer to, "Do you peel eggplant before cooking?" is yes, peel it. Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to remove the skin.

Why do you soak eggplant in vinegar? ›

Why do you soak eggplant in water and vinegar? Soaking eggplant in water and vinegar helps remove some of the vegetable's natural bitterness. This step also helps preserve some of the skin's color so it stays a vibrant purple even after cooking.

How to remove itchiness from eggplant? ›

What to do if you're having an allergic reaction to eggplant. You can typically treat a minor allergic reaction with an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). If this is your first time experiencing symptoms after eating eggplant, see your doctor.

Do you rinse eggplant after sweating it? ›

Method 1: Sweating Eggplants

All the eggplant slices sweat: Place the seasoned eggplant in a colander for 30 minutes to an hour. Once little droplets of moisture start to appear, rinse your eggplant slices under cold water to remove excess salt.

What type of oil is best for frying eggplant? ›

In a deep, heavy skillet heat 1/2-inch of vegetable oil to 375 degrees F. Fry the eggplant pieces, in batches if necessary, for about 1 minute on each side, or until golden brown.

Which cooking method is appropriate for eggplant? ›

Fried or baked eggplant is delicious, but they are not the only ways to cook eggplant. Try it sautéed, stir-fried, grilled, or broiled.

How do you remove toxins from eggplant? ›

However, eggplants also contain a substance, solanine, which is used to defend themselves against fungi and insects. It is precisely on this substance that the bitter taste of the eggplants depends. To eliminate it, the most common methods are soaking in water and vinegar and the salt technique.

How to get moisture out of eggplant? ›

Whether you're working with slices or chunks, all you have to do is generously season the exposed areas of the eggplant with kosher salt, and place them on a plate or sheet pan lined with paper towels to help soak up the moisture that comes out.

How to prevent eggplant from absorbing oil when frying? ›

Typically eggplant behaves like a sponge, soaking up heroic amounts of oil when fried. The Terzo Piano chefs use this trick to prevent heavy aubergines: Before frying, soak the strips of eggplant in an ice water bath. They will absorb water and drop in temperature.

Does eggplant need to be soaked before frying? ›

Should you? No. Eggplant has a high water content, so it's crucial to draw out some of that moisture before you fry it.

How long can you leave eggplant in water? ›

Submerge the pieces in the salted water. Use an upside-down plate or pot lid to weigh down the eggplant so it is fully submerged in the water. Let the eggplant sit in the brine for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour. Drain the eggplant and pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or layers of paper towels.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 5796

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.