Try these eggplant ideas for pizza, fries, salads, sandwiches, and more.
Seriously, this is one versatile vegetable!
We compiled easy eggplant recipes that prove its status as a versatile veggie superstar.
Photo:Greg DuPree
Learninghow to cook eggplantis pretty easy.
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.
Antonis Achilleos
The dish has all the cheesy, saucy goodness of lasagna without the heaviness of pasta and ground beef.
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.
Jonny Valiant
It’s easy but delivers complex flavors, making it a great recipe for entertaining.
Grilled Eggplant Salad
Eggplant shines in this simple grilled-salad recipe.
To avoid bitterness, choose young, small eggplants that don’t have a lot of seeds.
Jen Causey
Real Simple Roasted Eggplant and Olive Pasta Salad
Who doesn’t lovepasta salad?
The longer it sits, the more the flavors meld, so make extra to enjoy through the week.
A riff off Kung Pao, it features a savory cornstarch-soy sauce mixture that thickens around crispsummer veggies.
Greg DuPree
To ensure the vegetables don’t get soggy, sear them in batches for tender, golden-brown bites.
Eat it warm for dinner, or serve it at room temperature for your next picnic.
If you’re feeling adventurous, sprinklesumac spiceover the dip for added tart, citrus-like notes.
Andre Baranowski
Eggplant and Tofu Stir-Fry
Add a sliced chili to this vegetarian stir-fry for a boost of heat.
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.
Greg DuPree
Spicy Chicken and Eggplant Stir-Fry
Eggplant’s meaty texture makes it a true stir-fry star.
Deep-Dish Eggplant Parmesan
Is there anything more satisfying than digging into a decadent plate of eggplant Parmesan?
If you’re searching for afamily-friendly mealthat takes roughly an hour to make, this is it!
Caitlin Bensel
To make this irresistible Italian sandwich, roast eggplant slices until they’re melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Serve topped with feta cheese and you have a delicious appetizer orvegetable side dishthat’s easy to make.
Enjoy thisslow-cooker recipeas-is, or serve it with couscous, brown rice, or quinoa for a heartier meal.
Greg DuPree
Pair with red wine or a rich, dark beer for the perfect dinner.
Top with marinara sauce, Parmesan, and fresh basil for a tasty lunch or dinner.
The result is a massive batch of vegetables that keeps for days.
Charles Masters
Serve alongside grilled meat, chicken, or fish for a delicious summer meal.
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.
Greg DuPree
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.
Jennifer Causey
Alternatively, you could puree roasted eggplant and then freeze it for several months.
They’re especially well-suited to grilling and stir-frying.
Jennifer Causey
Marcus Nilsson
Victor Protasio
José Picayo
Con Poulos
Jen Causey
Paul Sirisalee
Caitlin Bensel
Amy Neunsinger
Maura McEvoy
Victor Protasio
Antonis Achilleos
Caitlin Bensel
Caitlin Bensel
Jen Causey
Fred Hardy