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    Home » Recipe Collections

    The Best Easy Eggplant Recipes To Try

    Published: Dec 27, 2019 · Modified: Aug 29, 2022 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    1606 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    A collection of eggplant recipes from appetizers to side and main dishes.

    A collection of our tried and true eggplant recipes that you will love! Enjoy the recipes for appetizers and main dishes made with this humble vegetable. These dishes are so delicious, even picky eaters will love them!

    A collection of eggplant recipes from appetizers to side and main dishes.
    Table Of Contents:
    • Eggplant is an awesome veggie!
    • The best eggplant recipes
    • Eggplant Appetizers and side dishes
    • Eggplant Main Dishes
    • Troubleshooting
    • More recipe collations
    • Step-by-Step Recipe
    • Best Eggplant Recipes

    Eggplant is an awesome veggie!

    We love eggplants and use them very often in cooking. We are also very picky about eggplants and how we cook them. Eggplant is one of those veggies that some people just love and others tend to avoid. If you're not a big eggplant lover, it's most probably because you had an eggplant dish that wasn't cooked properly or was somehow lacking in flavor.

    With the collection I'm sharing with you today, I predict that even the biggest eggplant skeptics will become fans. These recipes are easy to follow and usually call for a few simple ingredients. Once you try one, you'll be eager to try the rest!

    The best eggplant recipes

    The best thing about eggplants is that you can make them into so many different dishes such as dips, appetizers and main dishes. Eggplants also make great side dishes that go well with different meals such as grilled chicken and beef. 

    Here are some of our favorite eggplant recipes for entertaining and family dinners. From vegetarian and gluten free to quick and easy, we have a little something for everyone in this roundup! 

    Eggplant Appetizers and side dishes

    Mutabal

    Mutabal Recipe (Middle Eastern Eggplant Dip)
    Mutabal is a Middle Eastern eggplant dip with a nice smoky flavor. It's different from baba ganoush and can be served with fresh pita bread as an appetizer or on a mezze platter for a tasty feast!
    Check out this recipe
    A mouth-watering roundup of eggplant recipes that are healthy and easy, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free recipes. Regardless of whether you like your eggplant fried, baked, or grilled, you'll find lots of choices here including classics such as eggplant parmesan and roasted eggplant!

    Melitzanosalata

    Melitzanosalata Recipe (Greek Eggplant Dip)
    Melitzanosalata is a Greek eggplant dip that's made with eggplant, garlic and lemon juice. You can serve this eggplant appetizer as a part of a mezze platter with some pita. 
    Melitzanosalata is a Greek eggplant dip that's made with eggplant, garlic and lemon juice. You can serve this eggplant appetizer as a part of a mezze platter with some pita.

    Kashke Bademjan

    Kashke Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Dip)
    Kashke bademjan is a simple Persian eggplant dip that is made with a handful of ingredients. This tasty vegetarian dip is full of amazing flavors and makes for a perfect appetizer!
    Check out this recipe
    Kashke bademjan is a simple Persian eggplant dip that is made with a handful of ingredients. This tasty vegetarian dip is full of amazing flavors and makes for a perfect appetizer!

    The Best Middle Eastern Eggplant Recipe

    Middle Eastern Eggplant Recipe
    This is a great Middle Eastern eggplant recipe to always keep on hand. Perfectly roasted eggplant is served with a stunning tahini yogurt sauce and pomegranate arils. It's perfect as a side dish or an impressive appetizer!
    Check out this recipe
    This is a great Middle Eastern eggplant recipe to always keep on hand. Perfectly roasted eggplant is served with a stunning tahini yogurt sauce and pomegranate arils. It's perfect as a side dish or an impressive appetizer!

    Baba Ganoush 

    The Best Baba Ganoush Recipe
    Baba ganoush is a classic middle eastern eggplant recipe. Charred eggplant mixed with tahini makes a delicious dip that you can make in 30 minutes!
    Check out this recipe
    Baba ganoush is a classic middle eastern eggplant recipe. Charred eggplant mixed with tahini makes a delicious dip that you can make in 30 minutes!

    Best Fried Eggplant Recipe with Tomatoes

    Fried Eggplant Recipe with Tomatoes
    Fried eggplant with tomatoes are the easiest side dish. Fresh eggplant and tomatoes fried to perfection and are topped with crispy garlic.
    Check out this recipe
    Fried eggplant with tomatoes are the easiest side dish. Fresh eggplant and tomatoes fried to perfection and are topped with crispy garlic.

    Eggplant Caponata

    Eggplant Caponata Recipe
    Eggplant caponata is an easy recipe that's full of flavor. This vegetarian eggplant recipe is made with fresh vegetables and is very simple to make. 
    Check out this recipe
    caponata is an easy recipe that's full of flavor. This vegetarian dish is made with fresh vegetables and is very simple to make.

    Eggplant Main Dishes

    Khoresh Bademjan

    Khoresh Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Stew)
    Khoresh bademjan is a delicious Persian eggplant stew that's served with rice. This Persian stew is usually served with rice and tahdig. Learn how to make this easy Persian recipe with this recipe and step-by-step video tutorial. 
    Check out this recipe
    Khoresh bademjan is a delicious Persian eggplant stew that's served with rice. This Persian stew is usually served with rice and tahdig. Learn how to make this easy Persian recipe with this recipe and step-by-step video tutorial.

    Hash Browns Eggplant Casserole

    Hashbrowns Eggplant Casserole
    This eggplant casserole is a great choice for dinner. This eggplant recipe is a combination of hash browns, ground beef and roasted eggplant. 
    Check out this recipe
    This Hashbrowns Eggplant Casserole is a great choice for dinner. This dish is a combination of Hashbrown, ground beef and roasted eggplant. It's easy and healthy!
    This eggplant casserole is a great choice for dinner. This eggplant recipe is a combination of hash browns, ground beef and roasted eggplant.

    Greek Moussaka

    Greek Eggplant Moussaka Recipe
    Moussaka is a classic Greek comfort food. Follow our step-by-step recipe to make this easy and comforting eggplant casserole. 
    Check out this recipe
    Moussaka is a classic Greek comfort food. Follow our step-by-step recipe to make this easy and comforting eggplant casserole.

    Persian Eggplant Soup – Ash-e Bademjan

    Persian Eggplant Soup - Ash-e Bademjan
    Persian eggplant soup is a delicious Persian recipe that's very simple to make. This easy Persian soup is vegetarian and gluten free. 
    Check out this recipe
    Persian eggplant soup is a delicious Persian recipe that's very simple to make. This easy Persian soup is vegetarian and gluten free.

    Grilled Eggplant Sandwich

    Grilled Eggplant Sandwich
    Grilled eggplant sandwich is the perfect lunch. This sandwich is made with grilled eggplants, olives, onions, capers, hummus and other delicious ingredients. 

    Check out this recipe
    Grilled eggplant sandwich is the perfect lunch. This sandwich is made with grilled eggplants, olives, onions, capers, hummus and other delicious ingredients.

    Cheese Stuffed Eggplant Meatballs

    Cheese Stuffed Eggplant Meatballs
    Eggplant meatballs are perfect for dinner. These vegetarian meatballs are cooked in a chunky tomato sauce and are stuffed with cheese. 
    Check out this recipe
    These vegetarian meatballs are cooked in a chunky tomato sauce and are stuffed with cheese.

    Karniyarik Turkish Stuffed Eggplant

    Karniyarik Turkish Stuffed Eggplant
    Karniyarik is a classic Turkish stuffed eggplant recipe. Delicious eggplants are stuffed with a tasty ground beef, pepper and tomatoes filling and are baked to perfection. 
    Check out this recipe
    two stuffed eggplants on a plate.

    Eggplant Parmesan

    Best Eggplant Parmesan Recipe
    This eggplant parmesan recipe is a classic for good reasons. You can't go wrong with layers of eggplant, cheese and marinara sauce. Learn how to make this eggplant casserole with this easy tutorial (including a special tip that makes this dish special!) and how-to video. 

    Check out this recipe
    This eggplant parmesan recipe is a classic for good reasons. You can't go wrong with layers of eggplant, cheese and marinara sauce. Learn how to make this eggplant casserole with this easy tutorial (including a special tip that makes this dish special!) and how-to video.

    Mirza Ghasemi Persian Eggplants and Tomatoes

    Mirza Ghasemi Persian Smoked Eggplants and Tomatoes
    Mirza Ghasemi is a Persian eggplant and tomato dish that's very flavorful. This vegetarian eggplant recipe is super easy to make and everyone will ask for seconds! 
    Check out this recipe
    Mirza Ghasemi is a Persian dish that's very flavorful. This vegetarian eggplant recipe is super easy to make and everyone will ask for seconds!

    Stuffed Eggplant With Lamb and Walnuts

    Stuffed Eggplant with Lamb and Walnuts
    Stuffed Eggplant with Walnuts and Lamb is a family favorite. Juicy eggplants are roasted to perfection, topped with spicy lamb and crunchy walnuts. It's the perfect combination of flavors!
    Check out this recipe
    Stuffed aubergine with Walnuts and Lamb is a family favorite. Juicy eggplants are roasted to perfection, topped with spicy lamb and crunchy walnuts. It's the perfect combination of flavors!

    Classic Eggplant Lasagna

    Classic Eggplant Lasagna Recipe
    This easy eggplant lasagna recipe is cheesy, delicious and perfect for a weeknight dinner. It's made without the noodles so it's gluten free and low carb.
    Check out this recipe
    This easy eggplant lasagna recipe is cheesy, delicious and perfect for a weeknight dinner. It's made without the noodles so it's gluten free and low carb

    Troubleshooting

    Here is a little troubleshooting for some of the problems you might face when working with eggplants:

    • It's bitter! Yes, this is a very common problem with eggplant and usually happens when you use globe eggplant - which is large and can be a bit seedy. To make sure your eggplant is not bitter, salt it generously before cooking and let it sit for an hour. Then rinse, pat dry and proceed with the recipe. 
    • My eggplant dish is so mushy! Another typical problem, this happens when the eggplant is over cooked. Depending on the method of cooking, eggplant takes between 10 to 20 minutes to cook. When the eggplant is fork tender, it is cooked and ready. 
    • I can't find a good eggplant! It can be tricky to find a fresh and tasty eggplant since you can't slice it open when purchasing it. A good eggplant should not have many brown seeds and should feel heavy for its size. It should feel firm and have a bright skin. 

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    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Best Eggplant Recipes

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    A collection of our tried and true eggplant recipes that you will love! Enjoy the recipes for appetizers and main dishes made with this humble vegetable. These dishes are so delicious, even picky eaters will love them!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine Greek, Italian, Mediterranean, middle eastern, Turkish
    Servings 4
    Calories 339 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • Check out each recipe for the complete list of ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Choose the right eggplant: A good eggplant should not have many brown seeds and should feel heavy for its size. It should feel firm and have a bright skin. Keep the eggplant in the produce drawer of your refrigerator and use within 3-4 days. I don't recommend freezing raw eggplant.
    • Storage: Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can reheat most of these dishes in the microwave or in a pan over medium heat.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 339kcal
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Liza

      September 16, 2022 at 8:53 am

      5 stars
      What a great roundup of tasty eggplant recipes! Can't wait to try them. Thanks for the tips, too!

      Reply
    2. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

      September 16, 2022 at 8:23 am

      5 stars
      Love this collection of eggplant recipes. I can't wait to try the one stuffed with lamb and walnuts.

      Reply
    3. Claudia Lamascolo

      September 16, 2022 at 8:22 am

      5 stars
      We just love this and it's so easy to make, thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    4. Nancy

      September 16, 2022 at 8:11 am

      5 stars
      Yummy. I love eggplants. Great variety to try cooking

      Reply
    5. Suja md

      September 16, 2022 at 7:58 am

      5 stars
      This looks really delicious and fairly simple to make! Can't wait to try it out! thanks for the recipe 🙂

      Reply

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    Welcome to Unicorns in the Kitchen, where we share delicious recipes from our kitchen to yours. You’re in for a delicious adventure and collection of unique and tasty recipes.

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