Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Popular Ingredients 27 Easy Eggplant Recipes for Quick Lunches, Dinners, and Sides Try these eggplant ideas for pizza, fries, salads, sandwiches, and more. Seriously, this is one versatile vegetable! By Betty Gold Betty Gold Betty Gold is the former senior digital food editor at Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 25, 2024 Close Photo: Greg DuPree Eggplant is a prolific multi-tasker: 1) It's a go-to vegetarian ingredient as a healthy meat substitute, 2) It can be grilled, fried, or baked, 3) It's delicious roasted, stewed, or sautéed, and 4) It's low in calories, high in fiber, and contains vital nutrients. We compiled easy eggplant recipes that prove its status as a versatile veggie superstar. Learning how to cook eggplant is pretty easy. Start with these simple eggplant dishes and cooking methods, and you'll be well on your way to eggplant fandom. 01 of 27 Roasted Eggplant With Miso and Sesame Seeds Antonis Achilleos In this Asian-inspired recipe, eggplant slices roast at high heat, making the outside skin crispy and the inside succulent. The rich miso dressing gives them a salty, umami flavor that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve alongside fish or meat for an easy, impressive meal. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 27 Eggplant Parmesan Rollatini Jonny Valiant This twist on the popular eggplant Parmesan dish calls for a ricotta mixture rolled inside each pre-baked eggplant slice and then topping the rolls with store-bought marinara sauce and freshly grated mozzarella. The dish has all the cheesy, saucy goodness of lasagna without the heaviness of pasta and ground beef. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 27 Eggplant and Chicken Caponata Pizza Jen Causey This eggplant recipe makes a great lunch, dinner, or late-night snack. Fresh eggplant, shredded chicken, and salty capers create a delicious and surprising topping for pizza. A prepared pizza dough (homemade or store-bought) makes for fast-and-easy prep. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 27 Greek Lamb Burgers With Baked Eggplant Fries Greg DuPree Alongside this delicious burger recipe comes eggplant fries that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The key to coating these fries is a dunk in frothed egg whites and a toss in panko (Japanese breadcrumbs). It's easy but delivers complex flavors, making it a great recipe for entertaining. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 27 Grilled Eggplant Salad Andre Baranowski Eggplant shines in this simple grilled-salad recipe. To avoid bitterness, choose young, small eggplants that don't have a lot of seeds. This recipe uses other fresh summer produce, but feel free to substitute with whatever's in season where you are. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 27 Eggplant Tart With Lemon and Feta Greg DuPree This elegant eggplant tart is easy, fresh, and incredibly flavorful. Thinly sliced eggplant melts into buttery pastry, thin slices of lemon brighten up every bite, and then there's feta. This flavorful tart can star at any dinner party as a veggie main dish or sliced into small squares as a bite-sized appetizer. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 27 Miso Eggplant Dip Caitlin Bensel This dip is similar to baba ganoush, but we'd argue it's tastier than the Middle Eastern classic. To make it, blitz roasted eggplant with miso paste, nutty tahini, mirin, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil. The result is a rich dip you'll want to serve with crackers, crudités, and everything in between. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 27 Real Simple Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad Greg DuPree Who doesn't love pasta salad? Salty olives and feta cheese combine with fresh tomatoes, chewy pasta, and tender cubes of roasted eggplant to make this a satisfying, healthy lunch or dinner option. The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld, so make extra to enjoy through the week. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 27 Grilled Eggplant and Smoked Mozzarella Melts Charles Masters When you're craving an eggplant sandwich, this open-faced melt fits the bill. Thick grilled slices of country bread and melty mozzarella elevate a humble sammie into an elegant meal you would be proud to serve anyone (or keep all to yourself). GET THE RECIPE 10 of 27 Spicy Summer Squash Stir-Fry Greg DuPree While summer squash is the star of this vegetarian stir fry, half-moons of Japanese eggplant help make this spicy dish extra hearty. A riff off Kung Pao, it features a savory cornstarch-soy sauce mixture that thickens around crisp summer veggies. To ensure the vegetables don't get soggy, sear them in batches for tender, golden-brown bites. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 27 Eggplant-Mushroom "Meatballs" Jennifer Causey Yes, it's possible to make meatballs without meat, and yes, the result is still delicious. In this vegan recipe, the toothsome combo of eggplant and mushrooms helps ensure these meatballs deliver the familiar texture you know and love. Rolled oats and brown rice help bind the meatballs, resulting in the perfect plant-based recipe for topping subs or salads. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 27 Torn Pita and Eggplant Salad With Parsley and Green Tahini Jennifer Causey You'll find no lettuce or tomatoes in this innovative salad recipe. Resembling a deconstructed baba ganoush, it features broiled, seasoned eggplant, crispy pita bites, and parsley leaves. Trust us: You'll want to make an extra batch of its flavorful green tahini to pair with everything from grain bowls to crudités. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 27 Roasted Summer Vegetable Pasta Marcus Nilsson Eggplant is joined by other colorful veggies—namely bell peppers and cherry tomatoes—in this dish to create a vibrant summer meal. Eat it warm for dinner, or serve it at room temperature for your next picnic. If you're extra hungry or a cheese lover (or both), toss in some fresh mozzarella, crumbled feta, or goat cheese crumbles. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 27 Eggplant Dip With Feta and Crudités Victor Protasio To impress guests at your next gathering, kick things off with this picture-perfect mezze platter packed with feta cheese, pita, and fresh vegetables. Its undisputed star is the baba ganoush, a savory roasted eggplant dip that's creamy, smoky, and full of flavor. If you're feeling adventurous, sprinkle sumac spice over the dip for added tart, citrus-like notes. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 27 Eggplant and Tofu Stir-Fry José Picayo Add a sliced chili to this vegetarian stir-fry for a boost of heat. Though the recipe suggests white rice, you can serve it with brown rice or noodles for a more nutritious meal. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 27 Curried Eggplant With Tomatoes and Basil Con Poulos This vegetarian recipe combines eggplant, chickpeas, and tomatoes for a comforting Asian-inspired meal. An optional dollop of plain yogurt balances the warming curry sauce in this fresh, summery dish. Full of protein and nutritious vegetables, serve with rice for a complete meal. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 27 Spicy Chicken and Eggplant Stir-Fry Jen Causey Eggplant's meaty texture makes it a true stir-fry star. Here, the hearty vegetable joins chunks of chicken breast and scallions to create a quick and easy dinner that's ready in less than 30 minutes. Toasted sesame oil, fresh ginger, and teriyaki sauce deliver that familiar stir-fry flavor, while fluffy jasmine rice completes the meal. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 27 Deep-Dish Eggplant Parmesan Paul Sirisalee Is there anything more satisfying than digging into a decadent plate of eggplant Parmesan? This version of the classic Italian dish features layers of baked eggplant, marinara sauce, Parm, and fresh mozzarella cheese, all topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs. If you're searching for a family-friendly meal that takes roughly an hour to make, this is it! GET THE RECIPE 19 of 27 Eggplant Parmesan Panini Caitlin Bensel For a take on eggplant Parm that requires less hands-on prep, try the classic dish in panini form. To make this irresistible Italian sandwich, roast eggplant slices until they're melt-in-your-mouth tender. Add sliced tomato, fresh basil leaves, mozzarella, and marinara sauce, and sandwich between two slices of crispy ciabatta bread. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 27 Roasted Baby Eggplant Amy Neunsinger Stuffing baby eggplants with lemons, garlic, and oregano allows their intense flavors to permeate the entire dish. Serve topped with feta cheese and you have a delicious appetizer or vegetable side dish that's easy to make. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 27 Ratatouille Maura McEvoy This rustic French classic is chock-full of healthy summer veggies, including zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, and (of course) eggplant. The wonderful part of this comforting, hearty dish is you can eat it as-is or serve it over toast, with eggs, or pasta. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 27 Turkish-Style Beef and Eggplant Stew Victor Protasio This take on a traditional stew combines beef with eggplant, onions, and bell peppers in a tomato sauce. Enjoy this slow-cooker recipe as-is, or serve it with couscous, brown rice, or quinoa for a heartier meal. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 27 Eggplant-and-Tomato Masala With Chickpeas Antonis Achilleos Inspired by the traditional Indian dish, this vegetarian masala recipe cooks in under 30 minutes. Canned chickpeas, eggplant, onions, and flavorful spices stew together for a tasty meal best enjoyed with naan. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 27 Eggplant Shepherd's Pie Caitlin Bensel This recipe substitutes eggplant for the usual beef or lamb in this iconic British classic, but this vegetarian shepherd's pie is just as filling and comforting. Pair with red wine or a rich, dark beer for the perfect dinner. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 27 Meatless Meatball Subs Caitlin Bensel Plant-based meatballs made of umami-filled mushrooms and savory eggplant are the key to these meatless subs. Top with marinara sauce, Parmesan, and fresh basil for a tasty lunch or dinner. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 27 Summer's End Ratatouille Jen Causey Say so long to summer with this colorful ratatouille made with eggplant as well as bell peppers, zucchini, and tomato. While it might seem like a lot of work to individually sauté each vegetable, we promise it’s worth it. The result is a massive batch of vegetables that keeps for days. Serve alongside grilled meat, chicken, or fish for a delicious summer meal. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 27 Roasted Veggie Calzones Fred Hardy Eggplant acts as a meat-like stuffing for these veggie-packed calzones, which also feature zucchini, red bell pepper, and red onion. The roasted and caramelized veggies combine with creamy ricotta and a sprinkle of mozzarella for the full pizza-shop experience. A side dish of marinara sauce accommodates lots of dipping. GET THE RECIPE Frequently Asked Questions What's the best way to cook eggplant? The best way to cook eggplant depends on what kind of dish you’re in the mood for. Two eggplant cooking methods we love are baked and fried:Baked eggplant is tender, slightly sweet, and absorbs the flavors of whatever it’s cooked with.Fried eggplant, which is typically breaded, is crispy and less earthy than baked eggplant. Learn More: How to Cook Eggplant 7 Different Ways Why do you soak eggplant before cooking? While you don’t have to soak an eggplant before cooking it, it's recommended, especially if you’re planning to fry or sauté it. This is because eggplant absorbs liquid, including oil, when it's cooked.Soaking eggplant slices in lightly salted water for about 30 minutes before cooking helps to break down the fruit’s cell walls and reduce the amount of oil the eggplant absorbs. Learn More: Clever Tips for Preparing Eggplant to Perfection When is eggplant in season? In most of the Continental U.S., eggplant is in season from July through October. The top-producing state is New Jersey, followed by California, Florida, and Georgia. Globally, the most prolific eggplant-growing countries are China and India. Can I freeze eggplant? Yes, eggplant freezes well but, because of its high water content, it's best to cook it first. We recommend roasting slices or cubes of eggplant and then flash-freezing them before putting them in freezer-safe containers (to prevent them from sticking together).Alternatively, you can puree roasted eggplant and then freeze it for several months. Learn More: Can You Freeze Eggplant? Here's What You Need to Know Can I use a Japanese eggplant instead of a normal one? Yes, if you have a recipe for eggplant, you can use Japanese or Italian eggplant—the kind we're most familiar with in the U.S.—interchangeably.Japanese eggplants also have a deep purple color but are longer and thinner, and their flesh is creamier when cooked. They're especially well-suited to grilling and stir-frying. Learn More: Who Knew? Japanese and Chinese Eggplants Are Delicious but Different Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit