21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (2024)

Post-summer, we’re all looking to get back on track with our health goals. Forsome of us, that means hitting up the gym a couple of times per week or trying to go vegetarian Monday through Friday. I have a hard time feeling full just on leaves (aka salads!) alone, so that’s when I turn to heartier vegetables like the eggplant to keep me feeling satisfiedthroughout the day. So, we’re bringing you 22 tasty eggplant recipes to make this weekend that will also fill you up.

This veggie is an easybase for so many different recipes and flavors that you’ll have a hard time running out of lunch or dinnerideas. It’s a wildly versatile ingredient that works with pretty much any type of cuisine and is often a convenient substitute for carbs. You can stuff it, use it in lieu of pasta, make eggplant “toasts,” and much more.

Eggplants are at their freshest from July to October so hit up your local farmer’s market or grocery store this weekend and try out one of our favorite eggplant recipes below! There are few things that feel more rewarding (or are frankly tastier) than eating fruits and veggies that are in season. Making this the perfect time to go wild with as much eggplant as we can get our hands on.

Keep scrolling for 22 delicious eggplant recipes:
21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (1)

Roasted Eggplant Fan from Delicious Meets Healthy

Why we love it:This is a delicious way to enjoy roasted eggplant. It’s easy to make and will please even the pickiest veggie eater. The combination of the roasted eggplant with tomatoes and feta cheese cannot be topped. It’s the perfect blend of Mediterranean flavors. Just make sure you salt it generously and let it drain an hour before cooking.

Hero ingredient:Is there anything that feta doesn’t make better?

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (2)

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad With Za’atar &Fried Eggplant from The Mediterranean Dish

Why we love it:This glorious salad is loaded up with crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, and the tangiest garlic and lime dressing. It’s hearty, satisfying, and works either as a standalone vegan meal or as a side dish that pairs beautifully with chicken, fish, or protein of your choice.

Hero ingredient:Don’t skip the za’atar, the spice mixture made with wild thyme and toasted sesame seeds. Its nutty, earthy, and slightly citrusy flavors will add depth and elevate the dish all around.

Get the recipe here.

Why we love it:Take your favorite ingredients and stuff them in these gorgeously roasted eggplants. They’re the perfect vessel for seasonal flavors like tomatoes, pomegranates, and more. Slap some cheese on there and it’s even better.

Hero ingredient:The addition of figs as a toppings option may be surprising, but it’s delightful.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (4)

Japanese Eggplant With Chicken & Thai Basil from The Woks of Life

Why we love it:The combination of fragrant herbs like Thai basil makes for a flavor explosion. This easy meal comes together in less than 15 minutes, is easily customizable to be either meat-based or veggie, and tastes even better than it looks.

Hero ingredient:Try to find Japanese or Chinese eggplants for this delicious dish.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (5)

Grilled Eggplant Tacos from Garden in the Kitchen

Why we love it:This is a great low-carb alternative when you are craving tacos and want to utilize seasonal veggies instead of tortillas. It’s a tasty, versatile dish that works perfectly as a standalone dinner, for breakfast with eggs, or as an appetizer. It’s topped with a bean, corn, and tomato salsa, melted cheese, and avocado bites. Yum!

Hero ingredient:That bean and corn salsa is simply perfect.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (6)

Roasted Eggplant Dip from Salt & Lavender

Why we love it:No need to bust out the food processor here. Roasting the eggplant at a high temp ensures that it’s soft, charred, and dip-ready. It’s a delicious way to enjoy this beautiful veggie. Just add some spices and garlic and you’re good to go.

Hero ingredient:Get yourself some really great lavash or bread to dunk into this lovely dip.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (7)

Quinoa Stuffed Eggplant With Tahini Sauce from Simply Quinoa

Why we love it:You’d never believe this tasty dinner comes together in about 30 minutes. The eggplants are stuffed with quinoa, tomatoes, and mushrooms, along with shallots, garlic, and a few slices. It couldn’t be easier to make and the flavor is out of this world! The addition of tahini sauce only makes it better.

Hero ingredient:Keep things simple with canned tomatoes, they’re already cooked and ready to enjoy.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (8)

Middle Eastern Eggplant Wrap from Feasting At Home

Why we love it:You can keep this wrap vegan or add some feta for a little cheesy creamy saltiness. It’s a delicious wrap with lemony kale slaw and sumptuous tahini sauce that is delicious, easy, and perfect for lunch or dinner. It’s a satisfying dish that is as healthy as it is delish.

Hero ingredient:Tahini sauce makes everything better.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (9)

Mini Eggplant Pizzas from Eat Good 4 Life

Why we love it:Craving pizza but trying to stick to a low carb or gluten-free eating plan? Then you’re going to flip over this recipe. Eggplants are the perfect vessel for tomato and cheese, all you need to do is load up on any other additional toppings that make you happy. It’s a quick, easy, and healthy meal.

Hero ingredient:Delicious, melty, gooey cheese.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (10)

Baba Ganoush from Lovely Little Kitchen

Why we love it:Get your summertime snack on with this absolutely divine baba ganoush. Even if you usually just get your fix in restaurants, it’s definitely worth making it at home as well. It’s incredibly simple and has a delicious, fresh, sumptuous flavor. It’s creamy, smoky, and bright.

Hero ingredient:Tahini adds a bit of nutty earthiness.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (11)

Thai Basil Eggplant from Vegetarian Gastronomy

Why we love it:This drool-worthy dish tastes as good as it looks. It’s a restaurant-worthy Thai recipe that just so happens to also be easy to make. What a dream. It’s also vegan and gluten-free, so those with dietary restrictions can enjoy this beauty as well.

Hero ingredient:Don’t skimp on the hoisin sauce.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (12)

Baked Eggplant Parmesan from Gimme Some Oven

Why we love it:Is there anything more decadent than an eggplant parm? It’s too good. This recipe is a bit lighter since it calls for baked (instead of fried) panko. The eggplant is layered up with a delightful combination of marinara, melty cheese, and fresh herbs.

Hero ingredient:The crispy panko breading makes it oh-so-good.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (13)

Caprese Eggplant “Toast” from Paleo Hacks

Why we love it:Paleo or not, you’re definitely want to give these three recipes a shot. They’re versatile, tasty, and couldn’t be easier to make. it’s the best, healthy way to get food on the table in less than an hour. There’s even a recipe for every meal of the day.

Hero ingredient:Slap prosciutto on just about anything and it’s instantly better.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (14)

Brussel Sprout & Eggplant Buddha Bowl from Robust Recipes

Why we love it:Few things are as nourishing and warming as a Buddha bowl, and this variation is a great alternative to a cold salad. It’s a hearty, warming, and veggie-packed bowl that is as cozy and delicious as it is good for you. It’s vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free, though you could easily make it vegan as well by omitting the hard-boiled eggs.

Hero ingredient:Sunflower seeds add a nice bit of crunchy texture.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (15)

Baked Eggplant Fries With Goat Cheese Dip from Gourmande in the Kitchen

Why we love it:Once assembled, these gluten-free baked “fries” are just about as tasty a treat can get. They are lightly golden with deliciously creamy insides. It’s the perfect appetizer or side dish for any meal. The spices give the eggplant a bit of heat, which is juxtaposed beautifully by the dip. Yum!

Hero ingredient:Cool, slightly tart goat cheese dip is the winner here.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (16)

Chickpea & Eggplant Curry from Nora Cooks

Why we love it:This curry is a wonderful way to use your abundance of summer produce. It’s a great and unexpected addition to curry, and since it’s roasted first it has an even more delicious flavor that adds richness and texture to the dish. This curry is vegan and gluten-free, so all can enjoy it!

Hero ingredient:Chickpeas pack the dish with protein and make for a satisfying meal.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (17)

Ratatouille With Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage and Creamy Polenta from Half Baked Harvest

Why we love it:It’s ratatouille season! Loaded up with seasonal veggies, this delicious French dish is actually the perfect late summer meal. It’s comforting, healthy, easy, and the ultimate comfort food. Eggplant and a variety of summer veggies make this unique recipe an absolute winner. The addition of polenta makes it anunexpected way to enjoy this classic dish.

Hero ingredient:Creamy, cheesy polenta.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (18)

Ginger Miso Eggplant Noodles from Love & Lemons

Why we love it:This is the kind of dish you come up with when you’ve got an assortment of random veggies in your crisper and you just make it work. Crispy tofu, eggplant, and mushrooms blend together in this gluten-free and vegan noodle dish. It’s the perfect light and healthy weeknight meal.

Hero ingredient:Gluten-free noodles are as tasty as they are nutritious.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (19)

Mediterranean Roasted Eggplant With Pomegranates & Tahini from The Mediterranean Dish

Why we love it:This beautiful seasonal eggplant recipe has rich, delicious Eastern Mediterranean flavors. The eggplant is fried until it’s almost blackened, seasoned generously, sprinkled with herbs, and topped off with tahini. You can roast the eggplant for a healthy alternative if you prefer! Either way, it’s a winner.

Hero ingredient:Warm pita bread makes it even better.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (20)

Roasted Eggplant With Spinach, Quinoa, & Feta from Julia’s Album

Why we love it:If this dish doesn’t turn you into an eggplant lover, I don’t know what will! It’s a healthy, Mediterranean-style, gluten-free recipe that also happens to be vegetarian, paleo, and low carb. Quinoa makes it high in fiber and protein—and did I mention it’s delicious to boot?

Hero ingredient:Feta is the perfect finishing touch.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (21)

Eggplant Fritters With Mushroom & Herbs from Gourmandelle

Why we love it:If you love a fritter then you’re in for a treat. This super easy recipe is actually a two-in-one since you only use eggplant pulp in this recipe. You can make stuffed eggplants the night before!

Hero ingredient:Mushrooms give the fritters a lovely earthy taste and texture.

Get the recipe here.

21 Delicious Eggplant Recipes to Make This Weekend (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to cooking eggplant? ›

Eggplants are known to absorb a lot of fat while cooking. A useful tip to prevent sogginess and greasiness is to salt sliced or diced eggplant and let it sit for an hour. This helps to draw out moisture. Next, rinse and drain any liquid from the sliced eggplant, then pat dry before cooking.

Is it better to 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.

What happens if you don't salt eggplant before cooking? ›

Though salting works when you want the eggplant to be creamy and tender — such as with parmigiana — in those cases where you want the eggplant to retain its shape and have a slightly firmer texture — such as ratatouille — you can skip it.

What makes eggplant taste good? ›

The oil still left in the eggplant tissues contributes to the soft, buttery texture that's so appealing. Oil also carries the essence of added herbs and spices, so that eggplant dishes can become rich with the aromas and heady flavors of onions, peppers, anchovies, parsley, garlic, and lemon juice.

Why do you put an egg in eggplant? ›

First recorded in 1763, the word "eggplant" was originally applied to white cultivars, which look very much like hen's eggs (see image). Similar names are widespread in other languages, such as the Icelandic term eggaldin or the Welsh planhigyn ŵy.

Why is my eggplant still hard after cooking? ›

If it's an extra-large eggplant, the vegetable could be older and the skin tougher, therefore, it's a smart idea to peel it. But small, young eggplant have thin, tender skins that add great texture to the vegetable when cooked.

When not to use eggplant? ›

Lusterless and shriveling exteriorA ripe, safe-to-eat eggplant looks really shiny and has tight, smooth skin. If your eggplant has lost its luster and/or looks wrinkly, it's past its prime and no longer good to cook with. Keep an eye out for brown spots around your eggplant, too.

Should eggplant be refrigerated? ›

Eggplants do not store well for long periods of time. Without refrigeration, eggplants can be stored in a cool, dry place for 1 or 2 days. If you don't intend to eat the eggplant within 2 days, it should be refrigerated.

What are the 7 ways to cook eggplant? ›

Eggplant can be broiled, grilled, sautéed, steamed, pan-fried, or stuffed and baked. You can make ratatouille or eggplant parmesan. The mild flavor and light, spongy texture of the eggplant make it a good match for other vegetables, browned and chopped meat, cooked fish, or shellfish.

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.

Why isn't my eggplant crispy? ›

Coat with Flour or Cornstarch: Lightly coat each slice in flour or cornstarch. This helps create a crispy exterior when fried. Use High Heat: Heat a generous amount of oil (such as vegetable or olive oil) in a pan over medium-high heat. Make sure the oil is hot before adding the eggplan.

How long do you soak eggplant before cooking? ›

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.

Does eggplant need to be soaked? ›

"The only exception is when you deep fry it. I tend to soak the slices in a bowl of water with a couple of tablespoon of salt for about 30-45 minutes. It doesn't have to do with bitterness, but I find that in doing this, the fried eggplant turns out less greasy," Jenkins says.

Should you soak eggplant in milk or salt water? ›

Soak eggplant slices or cubes in milk for about 30 minutes before cooking. The milk not only tempers the bitterness, but it actually makes for eggplant that is extra creamy, since the vegetable acts like a sponge and soaks up a good amount of milk in its flesh.

Do you need to soak eggplant in salt water? ›

Many recipes call for eggplants to be salted and rinsed to draw out any bitter juices, but this shouldn't be necessary if they're fresh. If the seeds are too defined or feel hard, the eggplant may be old and should be salted.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Manual Maggio

Last Updated:

Views: 6023

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Manual Maggio

Birthday: 1998-01-20

Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242

Phone: +577037762465

Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor

Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis

Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.