Eggplant has lengthy been a staple in vegetarian delicacies. Its satisfying texture and noteworthy capability to soak up different flavors makes it an ideal canvas for artistic within the kitchen. We’ve all heard of eggplant parmesan, however what about Moroccan eggplant stew (or Zaalouk)? Whether or not your weight loss plan is totally meat-free otherwise you’re simply incorporating extra plant-based meals into your weekly menu, there’s a world of potentialities with regards to curating filling and wholesome vegetarian eggplant recipes.
For those who’re craving Mediterranean flavors, spicy Asian-inspired dishes, or maybe a fusion of each cuisines, now we have you coated. With this stellar fruit as our guiding star (that’s proper, eggplant’s a fruit!), we’ve compiled a listing of 20 vegetarian eggplant recipes that unlock its true potential.
Featured Picture by Michelle Nash.
20 Vegetarian Eggplant Recipes to Fulfill Each Palate
Ratatouille-Type Roasted Vegetable Pasta
Why We Love It: Whereas ratatouille has been a well-liked dish in French delicacies for the reason that 1700s, I’ve discovered that only a few folks really know what it consists of. Scrumptious bell peppers, zucchini—and sure, eggplant—comprise the proper recipe to transition from summer time to fall. It additionally offer you an excellent excuse to cozy up with a scrumptious bowl of pasta. (Who wouldn’t get pleasure from that?)
Hero Ingredient: Hearth-roasted tomatoes kick up the warmth.
Wholesome Flatbread Pizza with Eggplant and Ricotta
Why We Love It: The proper summer time dinner is right here! Except for the eggplant, you possible have the components to create this scrumptious flatbread in your fridge or pantry. Any sort of pizza crust or pre-bought flatbread will work for this recipe, however I’d go for Camille’s home made pizza dough!
Hero Ingredient: Ricotta is the best summer time cheese so as to add to your pizzas. It’s creamy, slightly salty, and scrumptious unfold in a skinny layer or dolloped on prime.
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Charred Caprese Stuffed Eggplants
Why We Love It: The Italians know what they’re doing—caprese is solely one of the best summery salad. Something made with tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze is a must have when the climate heats up. Tossing stuffed eggplants with these components is a filling and straightforward method to get pleasure from all of the caprese flavors as an appetizer or gentle important.
Hero Ingredient: A great high quality, aged balsamic vinegar is a recreation changer.
Skillet Eggplant Lasagna
Why We Love It: Eggplant parmesan may need to maneuver apart as one of the best use of eggplant in an Italian dish. This skillet eggplant lasagna is lighter than the traditional tacky consolation dish, and it may be executed multi functional pan. Rating!
Hero Ingredient: Child spinach is a good way so as to add a lift of inexperienced to your lasagna.
Smokey Eggplant Dip
Why We Love It: Diverging from entrees, this eggplant dip is very addictive and past easy to make. Your eggplant is roasted, charred, and thrown right into a meals processor with different scrumptious components. I’m speaking garlic, tahini, and creme fraiche that come collectively to enrich the eggplant’s smokey taste.
Hero Ingredient: Smokey spices like paprika and toasted cumin carry the flavour.
Stuffed Roasted Eggplants
Why We Love It: I’m an enormous fan of stuffed fruits and veggies of any kind. There’s one thing about having the ability to mix all of your components and getting an enormous burst of taste with every chew. Like baked potatoes, these eggplants will be custom-made to your crowd’s wishes with a wide range of scrumptious toppings.
Hero Ingredient: Pomegranate seeds add a deliciously sudden pop of taste and shade.
Eggplant Caponata from Love and Lemons
Why We Love It: This recipe confirmed me the true fantastic thing about crafting caponata. It’s made with roasted eggplant and a wide range of tangy, briny, and barely candy flavors and will be served over pasta or on freshly sliced crostini. I’d go as far as to name it the proper summery snack.
Hero Ingredient: Capers carry a little bit of briny taste. Don’t knock ’em till you’ve tried them!
Jamaican Jerk Grilled Eggplant from Minimalist Baker
Why We Love It: We’re large followers of grilling absolutely anything—and eggplant is not any exception. After visiting Jamaica a number of years again, I turned obsessive about perfecting a jerk marinade stuffed with all the greatest seasonings. Merely slice your eggplants into giant, steak-like items, and coat them in your tangy and spicy marinade earlier than popping them on the grill! Straightforward and scrumptious.
Hero Ingredient: This recipe features a scrumptious BBQ-based sauce that’ is an absolute’s a must have for this savory grilled fruit.
Grilled Eggplant With Chimichurri from Foodie Crush
Why We Love It: Final 12 months, I took a cooking class the place I realized the best way to create the proper chimichurri, and to my shock, it’s really fairly easy! Contemporary herbs like parsley and cilantro are key to creating the tastiest topping for all your grilled delicacies.
Hero Ingredient: Cilantro is crucial for each this chimichurri’s signature taste and shade.
Roasted Eggplant and Mushroom Curry from The Roasted Root
Why We Love It: For those who’re on the sting about incorporating eggplant into your weight loss plan, begin with this recipe. As talked about, eggplant is nice at absorbing daring spices and flavors, making it the most effective bases for curry-like dishes.
Hero Ingredient: Coconut milk provides this dish the proper creaminess with out being overwhelmingly heavy.
Eggplant Pizza Bites from Primavera Kitchen
Why We Love It: Not solely are these pizza bites lovable, however they’re additionally a plant-packed snack you’ll be able to throw collectively in a pinch. For those who’re searching for a twist on the beloved bagel bites, these are excellent for a light-weight, summery dinner.
Hero Ingredient: Home made or store-bought will do, however be sure you select a superb high quality tomato sauce.
Zaalouk Toasts With Burrata from Pinch of Yum
Why We Love It: Right here it’s! The zaalouk recipe you’ve all been ready for. These toasts are a flavor-packed appetizer that mixes the standard Moroccan dish of zaalouk (cooked eggplants, tomatoes, and tons of spices) with creamy burrata cheese.
Hero Ingredient: I may go on and on about burrata cheese.
Baked Eggplant Parmesan from Gimme Some Oven
Why We Love It: The traditional Italian dish you’ve all been ready for. This baked eggplant parmesan showcases the wealthy and comforting flavors of eggplant, tomato sauce, and melted cheese whereas being utterly vegetarian-friendly.
Hero Ingredient: Heaps and many freshly grated parmesan is mainly a requirement.
Hearth Roasted Eggplant Dal from Filled with Vegetation
Why We Love It: For those who’re a fan of warmth, this fire-roasted dal would possibly change into one in every of your favourite consolation dishes. The Indian soup is made out of easy components—akin to lentils, chickpeas, or beans—simmered in a wide range of spices and served over a starch of selection. It’s past cozy and precisely what I need to curl up with on the finish of a protracted day.
Hero Ingredient: High with a dollop of yogurt or coconut cream for slightly added tang.
Thai Basil Eggplant from Operating on Actual Meals
Why We Love It: More often than not, throwing collectively an elaborate Thai dish doesn’t match into my schedule. However I at all times crave its comforting complexity. This stir-fried eggplant will be served with rice or noodles that complement its daring flavors—and it’s simple sufficient to throw collectively on a weeknight.
Hero Ingredient: Toss in your favourite baked tofu for an added little bit of protein.
Eggplant + Tofu with Candy-Sizzling Chili Glaze from Sprouted Kitchen
Why We Love It: Eggplant and tofu are a extremely underrated pairing. The sweet-hot chili glaze makes use of Asian-inspired components you possible have in your favourite staple dishes. Merely bake or fry the eggplant and tofu utilizing your methodology of selection and stir-fry all the remaining components with the sauce in your wok or a big saucepan.
Hero Ingredient: Sizzling chili sauce is a staple ingredient in my home.
Butternut Squash and Eggplant Stir Fry from Downshiftology
Why We Love It: These stir-fried veggies make for the proper appetizer or addition to any entree. With a easy sauce made out of honey, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil there’s no excuse for bland veggies on the desk.
Hero Ingredient: Honey provides your sauce physique and the proper contact of sweetness.
Baingan Bharta from Rainbow Plant Life
Why We Love It: If the smokey eggplant dip sounded up your alley, then this baingan bharta will make your coronary heart (abdomen?) soar. Indian-inspired spices complement this silky and hearty dish, which pairs completely with vegan naan, roti, or basmati rice.
Hero Ingredient: Ginger is a key fragrant on this recipe. Go large or go house.
Roasted Eggplant Sandwiches with Vegan Arugula Walnut Pesto from This Savory Vegan
Why We Love It: Roasted eggplant is very versatile, however what’s easier than a sandwich? Paired with recent sourdough and arugula walnut pesto mayo (yum!), this eggplant sammie is something however boring.
Hero Ingredient: You’ll need to add the arugula walnut pesto mayo onto each sandwich any more.
Vegan Roasted Eggplant Salad From Meals Dolls
Why We Love It: This vegetarian eggplant recipe is the proper warm-weather dish to get pleasure from at your subsequent cookout or get-together. It’s nutritious and filling due to the protein and wholesome fat, and the tangy tahini dressing provides it the proper creamy chew.
Hero Ingredient: Tahini has the flexibility to raise absolutely anything—this dish included.
