18 Easy Eggplant Recipes That Will Make It Your New Favorite
From pasta to pizza to fries, these eggplant recipes would make even the biggest skeptic fall in love.
We all know and love eggplant Parmesan, but there are so many more delicious eggplant recipes out there just waiting for you to try them. The fruit is actually super versatile (yes, it’s a fruit!) — you can fry, stuff, bake or grill it, and each application gives the eggplant a unique flavor. And if you’re experimenting with vegetarian recipes or vegan recipes, the meaty texture and mutable flavor of eggplant makes it easy to sub for meat in a range of recipes.
But — we know — there are some eggplant skeptics out there. We hear you! If cooked improperly, eggplant can take on a texture that has been described as “spongy” or a flavor that’s bland. Well, these tasty eggplant recipes are the perfect thing to convert any eggplant into a mouthwatering meal, with undeniably delicious options like caponata flatbread, eggplant tostadas and eggplant fries (yes, fries!). When roasted, eggplant takes on an almost creamy interior and crisp exterior, or, when grilled, it becomes smoky and charred. A punchy vinaigrette will brighten up eggplant’s flavor! With so many ways to cook eggplant, there’s guaranteed to be at least one recipe everyone around your dinner table will love.
Speedy Eggplant Parmesan
Shredded mozzarella and strips of Panko-crusted eggplant make this a go-to shortcut parm you'll love.
Get the recipe for Speedy Eggplant Parmesan »
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Salmon With Grilled Eggplant and Chickpea Croutons
Flavorful eggplant topped with minty yogurt sauce and chickpea croutons = the gluten-free salmon dinner side you never knew you needed.
Get the recipe for Salmon With Grilled Eggplant and Chickpea Croutons »
Caponata Flatbread
Yep, sweet and vinegary eggplant is the flavor-packed pizza topping you've been looking for.
Plum Tomato and Eggplant Shakshuka
With 14 grams of protein and less than 375 calories, this take on a Middle Eastern favorite is a breakfast perfect for pita dipping.
Get the recipe for Plum Tomato and Eggplant Shakshuka »
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Tomato-Eggplant Tartines
These perfect party apps look like they took a long time to make, but the 15-minute recipe is actually super simple. Promise.
Cayenne Grilled Eggplant With Fresh Tomato Salad
This simple dish can be assembled in 30 minutes, but it brings all the flavor — with spices like cayenne, coriander, mint and chiles — and colors that'll make your drool.
Get the recipe for Cayenne Grilled Eggplant with Fresh Tomato Salad »
Soba With Miso-Glazed Eggplant
Eggplants are like delicious little sponges. They absorb flavors — like this miso glaze — really well.
Bulgur and Cashew Stuffed Eggplant
Eggplants are the perfect edible bowls for all kinds of fillings, but we're digging this vegetarian curry situation.
Spicy Salmon Over Creamy Eggplant
Mashed potatoes are so passé. This creamy eggplant-yogurt puree is where it's at.
Crispy Eggplant and Roasted Tomato Salad
These crispy eggplant cakes have serious leftover potential. Stuff them into a sandwich or pita with some hummus, and relive the dream all over again.
Get the recipe for Crispy Eggplant and Roasted Tomato Salad »
Eggplant Parmesan Meatballs
They look like meatballs, but this vegetarian recipe is actually made from the mighty eggplant.
Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Pizza
Take the flavors of Eggplant Parmesan and transform them into a mouthwatering pie with store-bought dough and generous dollops of ricotta.
Balsamic Steak With Eggplant and Peppers
Juicy steak and meaty eggplant make this colorful dish super filling.
Eggplant Parmesan
Sure, it's not the easiest recipe in the world — but it is so worth it.
Eggplant Parm Chips
Best dipped in a side of marinara sauce, of course.
Eggplant Tostadas
Turns out eggplant slices make the perfect tostada shells. Who knew?
Baked Eggplant Fries
If you're a fry lover, you know the struggle — you want to eat them all the time. Thankfully, these baked bites are a healthy alternative to enjoy guilt-free.
Chinese Eggplant With Garlic Sauce
That addictive side you get at Chinese restaurants is totally doable at home.
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