Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables to grow in the garden. But to be honest, the first year I grew it we all had to get used to the taste!

But now I know how versatile eggplant is in recipes! It’s perfect as a meat substitute in vegetarian recipes and it has the ability to soak up any flavor you throw at it.

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Sometimes you might just want roasted eggplant sprinkled with a little salt and pepper and olive oil, but sometimes you want a little more spice in your eggplant recipes.

Below you will find more than 50 amazing eggplant recipes- you’ll never be lacking in ideas on how to cook up eggplant during harvest season!

 

Eggplant Recipe! More than 50 delicious recipes to choose from including baked eggplant recipes, grilled eggplant recipes, sauteed eggplant recipes, and more!

 

What is Eggplant?

Eggplant is large plant in the night shade family, which bears the eggplant fruit.

Most eggplant is somewhat egg shaped with dark purple skin. But there are many different varieties of eggplant– some of which are long and skinny, with thinner skin, or some with green, white, or yellow skin.

Generally speaking, the eggplant is rather tasteless with the ability to absorb the flavors of the dishes. The flesh of an eggplant is creamy white and has a somewhat spongy texture

 

Is Eggplant a Fruit or a Vegetable?

Botanically speaking, the eggplant is a fruit, because it comes from the flower of the plant. In culinary terms, it is considered a vegetable.

(You can read more about these differences on my Is a Cucumber a Fruit or Vegetable post. I’ll be calling it a vegetable for the remainder of this article.

 

All About Eggplant Nutrition

Eggplant is a nutritionally dense vegetable. It is high in fiber, B vitamins, copper, potassium, and folate.

Eggplant is low in calories, with 1 cup, cubed eggplant having about 35 calories.

Eggplant is also low in carbohydrates, with only 8 total carbs in a 1 cup serving. About 1/3 of these carbs come from natural sugars.

 

eggplant on table

 

Health Benefits of Eggplant

Eggplant contains phytonutrients, some of which contain antioxidant properties.

Specifically, it contains nasunin, a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent free radicals and protects the cells from damage.

Eggplant is also said to contain nutrients that can improve cardiovascular health and cholesterol.

 

50+ Eggplant Recipes for Every Taste

I’ve divided up the eggplant recipes below by categories. You’ll find over 50 ways to eat eggplant including roasted, sauteed, grilled, as a main course or as a side dish! Enjoy!

 

Note: How to Cook Eggplant

Eggplant should be washed, with ends removed before cooking.

Most eggplant varieties can be eaten with or without the skin, but some skin is tougher than others- and peeling may be favorable.

Eggplant can be baked, grilled, steamed, or roasted. If cooking whole, prick the skin with a fork a couple of times before placing it in the oven.

 

Baked or Roasted Eggplant Recipes

Generally speaking, eggplant is placed on a baking sheet and baked at about 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, depending on size.

Below are 13 different eggplant recipes that feature baked or roasted eggplant.

 

Baked Eggplant Crisps

Garlic Roasted Eggplant

Baked Eggplant Fries with Greek Tzatziki Sauce

Healthy Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Spicy Garlic Oven Roasted Eggplant Slices Recipe

Quinoa Stuffed Eggplant with Tahini Sauce

Julia Child’s Eggplant Pizzas

Greek Moussaka (Eggplant Beef Bake)

Roasted Eggplant & Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Cheesy Eggplant Casserole

Crispy Eggplant Stacks

Eggplant Bolognese Pasta

Eggplant Chips – Mediterranean Style

 

Related Reading: How to Grow Eggplant in Your Vegetable Garden

 

roasted eggplant on pan

 

Sauteed or Fried Eggplant Recipes

When sauteing eggplant, the skin is usually removed first. Eggplant cooks quickly over medium to medium high heat. Eggplant can readily soak up oil, so go easy when sauteing for frying eggplant.

And we all know and love the timeless favorite featuring fried eggplant: Eggplant Parmesan! Who can resist the mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce and parmesan crusted eggplant!

But if you are in the mood for a new fried eggplant recipe, here are 8 sauteed or fried eggplant recipes:

 

Easy One-Pan Eggplant Chicken Dinner

Moroccan Honey Glazed Eggplant

Healthy Pan Fried Baby Eggplant with Gremolata

Sauteed Eggplant

Eggplant Mango Kadhi

Chicken Fried Eggplant

Eggplant Parmesan Bites

Eggplant Fries

 

3 pictures of glazed eggplant in a bowl, eggplant pulled pork and eggplant with pasta

Featured: Moroccan Honey Glazed Eggplant, Vegan Eggplant Pulled Pork Burger, & Eggplant Bolognese Pasta

 

Grilled Eggplant Recipes

Grilling eggplant can be one of the tastiest ways to cook eggplant. The charred taste that comes with grilling is amazing! Like, sauteing, grilling eggplant is quick- and only takes about 10 minutes to cook.

Here are some amazing grilled eggplant recipes to try:

 

Balsamic Grilled Eggplant

Grilled Eggplant Rollatini

Jamaican Jerk Grilled Eggplant

Caprese Grilled Eggplant Roll ups

Grilled Eggplant Tacos

Grilled Eggplant and Spinach Salad

Grilled Eggplant Gyros with Fresh Tzatziki

Grilled Eggplant Salad with Halloumi

Grilled Eggplant Involtini

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan

 

Related Reading: How to Preserve Eggplant

 

grilled eggplant on plate

 

Vegetarian Eggplant Recipes

Eggplant is the perfect meat substitute. It can soak up all sorts of flavors and it’s spongy and meaty texture will give you something to sink your teeth into.

Here are some vegetarian eggplant recipes to try out:

 

Vegetarian Eggplant Balls

Vegan Chickpea Curry with Eggplant

Crispy Eggplant “Bacon”

Grilled Eggplant Tahini Satay Kebabs

Vegan Lentil and Eggplant Patties

Szechuan Eggplant in Garlic Sauce

Oven-Fried Eggplant PoBoy Sandwiches

Miso Glazed Eggplant

Vegan Eggplant Pulled Pork Burger

 

3 picture - eggplant and spinach salad, grilled eggplant with salsa and eggplant meat balls

Featured: Grilled Eggplant and Spinach Salad, Grilled Eggplant Tacos, & Vegetarian Eggplant Balls

 

Unique Eggplant Recipes

Eggplant can be used in almost any kind of dish. It’s very versatile and can be even used in desserts!

If you are looking to try something completely new, try out some of these unique and unusual eggplant recipes:

 

Eggplant Crisp (for dessert!)

Low Carb Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic ‘Bread’ with Eggplant

Fermented Eggplant

Pickled Eggplant

Glyko Melitzanaki me Grenadini

Cheesy Eggplant Apple Quesadillas

 

ajvar

 

Eggplant Dips, Spreads and Sauces

And finally, eggplant can be used to bulk up a lot of different sauces and spreads. These flavorful eggplant dishes will look great on your next cheese and cracker or veggie tray!

 

Spicy Baba Ganoush (Eggplant Dip)

Ajvar (Eggplant and Red Pepper Sauce)

Eggplant Spread

Roasted Garlic Babaganoush

Melitzanosalata (Greek Eggplant Dip)

Roasted Eggplant and White Bean Dip

Eggplant Caviar

Indian Eggplant Relish

Creamy Roasted Eggplant Dip

Roasted Eggplant and Feta Dip

 

Which eggplant recipe will become your new favorite?

 

Looking for more recipes? Check these out:

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50+ Sweet Potato Recipes for Your Fall Harvest

13 Simple, Refreshing Frozen Watermelon Desserts

25 Salsa Recipes You’ve Got to Try

15 Amazing Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipes

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