The Best Easy Eggplant Recipes To Try

Shadi HasanzadeNemati

5 from 5 votes

Dec 27, 2019, Updated Aug 29, 2022

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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!

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

4.93 from 14 votes

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!
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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 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

4.93 from 63 votes

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!
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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

4.61 from 41 votes

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!
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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 

5 from 4 votes

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!
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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

5 from 12 votes

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.
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Fried eggplant with tomatoes are the easiest side dish. Fresh eggplant and tomatoes fried to perfection and are topped with crispy garlic.

Eggplant Caponata

4.62 from 91 votes

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. 
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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

4.95 from 18 votes

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. 
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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

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!
5 from 6 votes

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. 
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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

4.59 from 131 votes

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. 
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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
4.80 from 30 votes

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. 
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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

5 from 10 votes

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. 

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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

5 from 2 votes

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. 
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These vegetarian meatballs are cooked in a chunky tomato sauce and are stuffed with cheese.

Karniyarik Turkish Stuffed Eggplant

4.65 from 31 votes

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. 
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two stuffed eggplants on a plate.

Eggplant Parmesan

5 from 7 votes

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. 

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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.
4.94 from 16 votes

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! 
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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

4.59 from 17 votes

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!
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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

4.80 from 25 votes

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.
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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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5 from 5 votes

Best Eggplant Recipes

By 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!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
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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

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Shadi HasanzadeNemati

I'm here to show you how to make delicious Persian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food at home. My easy to follow recipes will bring exciting new flavors to your table!

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5 from 5 votes

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