20 Delicious Plant-Based Eggplant Recipes (2024)

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20 Delicious Plant-Based Eggplant Recipes (1)

We’re BIG fans of eggplant here at MB! It’s oh so versatile, soaks up flavors beautifully, and is the star of some of our very favorite recipes. To celebrate eggplant season, we’ve gathered some of our best plant-based recipes using this incredible fruit! From simple eggplant sides to dips and show-stopping mains, scroll through and find a new recipe to make and enjoy!

(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)

Sides

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Perfect Roasted Eggplant (Tender, Caramelized!)

An easy, step-by-step recipe for oven-roasted eggplant! It’s tender, caramelized, versatile, and perfect every time! Just 3 ingredients and 30 minutes required.

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Smoky Grilled Eggplant

20-minute grilled eggplant seasoned with smoky spices, infused with coconut aminos for extra flavor, and grilled to perfection. The perfect flavorful side!

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Jamaican Jerk Grilled Eggplant (30 Minutes!)

Spicy Jamaican jerk spiced grilled eggplant! Ready in 30 minutes, incredibly flavorful, and the perfect plant-based side dish!

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Dips

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Smoky Harissa Eggplant Dip

9-ingredient savory eggplant dip with smoked paprika and spicy harissa paste. A subtly spiced dip loaded with flavor and nutrients. The perfect side dish or appetizer.

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Creamy Eggplant & Caramelized Onion Dip (Kashke Bademjan)

A healthier, simple version of the Persian eggplant dip known as Borani or Kashke Bademjan. Creamy, sweet, and so satisfying. Plus, it’s healthy, gluten-free, and vegan-optional.

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Simple Baba Ganoush

Simple 5-ingredient baba ganoush that doesn’t require a grill or gas stove. This new method saves you time and energy and is JUST as delicious — if not more — than the original. Naturally vegan and gluten-free.

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Mains

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The BEST Vegan Moussaka

Incredibly delicious vegan moussaka with layers of roasted eggplant, hearty tomato lentil sauce, and roasted garlic cashew bechamel! Just 10 ingredients and simple methods required.

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Easy Ratatouille (Versatile, 1 Pot!)

A simple take on the classic French staple that’s colorful, flavorful, and packed with summer vegetables! Delicious served with pasta or bread. Just 10 ingredients and 1 pot required!

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Crispy Gluten-Free Eggplant Pizzas

Crispy 10-ingredient eggplant pizzas that are gluten-free and vegan! Cornmeal and vegan parmesan crusted, baked till crispy, a delicious side or main!

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Vegan “BLT” Sandwich

6-Ingredient vegan “BLT” sandwich made with vegan mayo and eggplant bacon! Crisp, smoky, flavorful, and so delicious.

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Moroccan-Spiced Eggplant and Tomato Stew

Moroccan-spiced tomato stew with roasted eggplant, smoky spices, and chickpeas! An incredibly comforting, satisfying 10-ingredient meal inspired by the flavors of zaalouk.

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Moroccan Lentil-Stuffed Eggplant

Stuffed baked eggplant with Moroccan-spiced lentils! Just 9 ingredients, big flavor, plenty of protein and fiber, and the perfect side dish or entrée.

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Crispy Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan

Crispy, vegan, gluten-free eggplant parmesan made with 10 simple ingredients! The perfect flavorful, plant-based entrée for Italian night!

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Vegan Eggplant Parmesan

Simple 10-ingredient vegan parmesan that yields perfectly crispy, savory eggplant that pairs perfectly with red sauce and the pasta of your choice! A healthy filling dinner even picky eaters will love.

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Lentil & Eggplant Lasagna

Satisfying, healthy eggplant lasagna with lentil marinara. Made with just 10 ingredients, this is the perfect plant-based, gluten-free entrée!

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Sesame Eggplant & Almond Butter Tofu Bowls

Hearty, flavorful, 30-minute Asian-inspired bowl with crispy almond butter tofu and sesame stir-fried eggplant!

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Eggplant Lasagna Roll Ups

EASY, 10-ingredient vegan lasagna roll ups made with a flavorful, protein-rich tofu filling rolled up into roasted eggplant slices! Healthy, rich in whole foods, and so satisfying.

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Vegan Stuffed Shells with Roasted Eggplant

Simple stuffed shells with a dairy-free tofu-eggplant-pesto filling. 8 ingredients, vegan, and so delicious.

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Coconut Red Curry with Chickpeas

A flavorful 1-pot red curry with coconut milk, bell pepper, eggplant, bamboo shoots, and chickpeas! Full of plant-based protein and fiber.

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Vegan Pasta Primavera with Roasted Veggies

A simple, savory Vegan Pasta Primavera full of versatile veggies and protein-rich chickpeas! Gluten-free optional and just 10 ingredients required!

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If you try these eggplant recipes, let us know! Leave a comment, rate them, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rating!

All commentsQuestions

  1. The Vegan Goddess says

    Thank you for this inspirational compilation of recipes.

    I found a bunch of eggplant recipes that I haven’t tried yet from this site and am anxious to make.

    Reply

    • 20 Delicious Plant-Based Eggplant Recipes (22)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Yay! Can’t wait to hear what you think when you give them a try :)

      Reply

  2. Milz says

    Do you have any acid free recipes? I have reflex and have to avoid garlic,onion etc.

    Reply

    • 20 Delicious Plant-Based Eggplant Recipes (23)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Hi, We have some! You can find all our recipes here.

      Reply

20 Delicious Plant-Based Eggplant Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to cooking eggplant? ›

One of the secrets to cooking tender-but-never-mushy eggplant is salt. First, Stilo cuts her eggplant into the desired shape (rounds, cubes, planks, etc.), and then sprinkles the eggplant evenly with a generous amount of salt.

What is the healthiest way to eat eggplant? ›

The healthiest cooking methods for eggplant include baking, grilling, or roasting. These methods require minimal added fats and help retain the vegetable's nutrients. Can eggplant be eaten raw? While eggplant can be eaten raw, it is not commonly done due to its slightly bitter taste and tough texture.

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.

Should you 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? ›

It helps draw out moisture from the eggplant. You don't have to salt eggplant though, it depends on the texture your looking for. Salting gives it a more creamy texture when cooked and not salting helps the eggplant hold up and be a little firmer after cooked.

How do you get the most flavor out of eggplant? ›

Salting: One common method is salting the eggplant slices or cubes before cooking. This process helps draw out the bitter compounds and excess moisture. Here's how to do it:Slice or cube the eggplant as desired. Sprinkle salt over the eggplant pieces and let them sit for about 30 minutes.

What Cannot be planted with eggplant? ›

What other plants should not be planted with eggplant? Eggplants are heavy feeders, so they should not be planted with other heavy feeders such as corn, melons, and any plant in the squash family. Other plants to look out for are geraniums, which can carry pathogens known to stunt eggplant growth.

When not to use eggplant? ›

If you cut the eggplant and notice browning shortly afterward, the eggplant is safe to eat. However, if the eggplant is already brown when you first cut into it, then it should be thrown away.

Is eggplant good for bowels? ›

Eggplants are brimming with fibre besides water, antioxidants which help reduce gut inflammation, relieve constipation by acting as a laxative; and improve the overall digestive health.

Can too much eggplant be bad for you? ›

Inspite of all the health benefits that eggplant provides, consumption of this vegetable in large quantities can have some harmful effects on your body. Nasunin, present in eggplant, is a phytochemical which can bind with iron and remove it from the cells. The oxalates in this vegetable can cause stones in the kidney.

What is the most popular way to eat eggplant? ›

Top 10 Ways to Enjoy Eggplants
  1. Yes, You Can Curry It! Cut eggplant into cubes and add to your favorite curry sauce and simmer until tender. ...
  2. Stir-Fry. ...
  3. Baba Ganoush.
  4. Roast, Peel and Serve over Pasta. ...
  5. Eggplant Pizza! ...
  6. Bread, Bake and Serve. ...
  7. A New Kind of Kebob. ...
  8. Eggplant Lasagna.

What is healthier eggplant or chicken? ›

Eggplant parmesan is a lot healthier for you than chicken, but it comes at the cost of being a lot less filling. If you want a full meal, chicken parm is a better option. If you're looking for nutritional benefits first, eggplant parmesan will be your friend.

How do you cook eggplant without it getting mushy? ›

Depending on the recipe, you might want to slice and salt globe eggplant slices before cooking them in order to draw out some of the water and keep them from turning to mush. In On Food and Cooking, Harold McGee writes that because eggplants are filled with tiny air pockets, they function like sponges.

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