Eggplant/aubergine is such a versatile ingredient to have around. I show you how many different delicious vegan meals you can make from appetizer through lunch to dessert. If you haven’t been a fan of eggplant, because you only ever tasted badly roasted mushy yucky eggplant slices, after making any of these vegan eggplant recipes, you will be hooked. You will immediately become an eggplant lover, I am sure.
What do you need to know about eggplants?
No idea what is eggplant also known as aubergine or what to do with it? Which type, size, and color you should choose? How to store them at home? How to prepare them for cooking, roasting, or grilling? Start with reading our complete guide to cooking with eggplants to get the basics. However, let me just share with you the 3 most important aspects of eggplants.
3 most important features
There are THREE things you should know about eggplants before deciding on which recipe you will choose.
- Eggplants are 90% water and have a spongy texture, so they can soak up juices pretty fast. It is a great characteristic because it can absorb the marinade well. However, it has a disadvantage as well, as it can also soak up too much oil. The solution is to salt them and extract the juices in advance.
- They get brown very quickly after cutting. I find it not a problem at all as after roasting or frying they will get brown all over anyway.
- You may debate whether to peel it or not to peel it as you were told that most of the bitterness is in the peel. However, eggplant holds its shape better with the peel on. I promise you if your sweat it with some salt and cook, grill, roast properly, there is no bitterness whatsoever.
How to choose the perfect eggplant?
- Shiny and spotless skin. No bruises and dents.
- Firm to the touch. You shouldn’t be able to dent it with your fingers.
- Heavy, sturdy. The eggplant should have weight for it to be fresh.
- Green stem. The dried brown stem is a dead giveaway that the eggplant has been on the shelves for probably too long.
Do you need to salt eggplants?
Yes and no. Always salt it when you slice, dice, or chop it. No need to salt it if you roast them in whole and make eggplant puree for spreads or meatballs or patties. You also don’t need to salt it if you roast it in half and stuff it.
Must-try vegan eggplant recipes
You will see that eggplant is like a chameleon. It changes texture, shape, taste depending on what you want it to be. I often like to compare it to tofu in the sense that they both have a very neutral taste, but with the right seasoning, they became absolutely delicious. I show you below all vegan recipes you must try using eggplants. Are you ready?
Vegan mains for dinner
I am sure you are most curious about vegan eggplant dinner recipes. So let’s start with entrees aka main course meals where eggplant is the star of the show. For good reason. Whether it is roasted, grilled, or baked, eggplant is an essential part of these dishes. Let’s see 10 mouth-watering vegan dinner recipes you will enjoy for sure.
Rich Creamy Vegan Eggplant Parmesan
Vegan Moussaka
Eggplant Meatballs (Vegan & Gluten-free)
30-min One-pot French Ratatouille
Dan Dan Eggplant Noodles by Rachael Hartley
Mediterranean Eggplant Boats by Dishing Out Health
Vegan Fesenjan with Eggplant by Little Sunny Kitchen
Eggplant and Caramelized Onion Pizza by My Darling Vegan
Vegan Eggplant Curry by Short Girl Tall Order
Spicy Eggplant Stir-fry with Enoki Mushrooms by My Goodness Kitchen
Filling vegan lunches with eggplant
If you need a grab and go lunch, make one of these delicious recipes. Eggplant is a great addition to spice up and add a flavorful ingredient to your sandwich, wrap, or burger. The easiest way is to marinate the eggplant slices with your favorite spice mix and roast them. They are ready to be included in your lunch. But there are more ideas here, 6 filling vegan lunch recipes. Which one will you try first?
Vegan Eggplant Reuben Sandwich by From My Bowl
Vegan Sabich Sandwich by Yum Vegan Lunch Ideas
Vegan Eggplant Carnitas Taco by Rhian's Recipes
Grilled Eggplant in Miso Glaze by V for Veggy
Curried Eggplant Lentil Quinoa Burger by Fat Free Vegan
Roasted Tomato, Zucchini, and Eggplant Soup by Occasionally Eggs
Delicious salads turned into full meals
All good things start with roasting eggplant even so if we talk about salads.
BBQ Moroccan Eggplant Salad by Yum Vegan Lunch Ideas
Asian Eggplant Salad by The Devil Wears Salad
Indian Roasted Eggplant and Lentil Bowl by Dishing Out Health
Persian Roasted Eggplant Salad by Veggie Desserts
Stunning vegan eggplant appetizers
There are so many ways you can add a little bit of eggplant to your dinner party even if it will not be the star of the show. Or will it? These 4 stunning vegan appetizers might think you otherwise. Eggplant has the potential to steal the show. You’ll just wait and see for your self.
Georgian Eggplant Rolls by Happy Kitchen Rocks
Sicilian Caponata Crostini by Veggie Desserts
Grilled Baby Eggplant with Minted Yoghurt by The View From Great Island
Vegan Rice Stuffed Dolmades By Strength & Sunshine
Snack on eggplants
Let’s steal to show from nachos for a bit, shall we? Eggplants can be turned into crazy delicious dips you can snack on or fry them until crispy and kick out potato fries for a day or two. These 7 vegan snack recipes will be perfect for a quick bite to grab before dinner.
Baba Ganoush by Downshiftology
Smoky Roasted Eggplant Dip with Bell Pepper and Walnut
Smoky Eggplant Moutabal Dip by Alpha Foodie
Mediterranean Eggplant Chips by Running To The Kitchen
Russian Eggplant Caviar
Eggplant Fries by Attachment Mummy
Mediterranean Eggplant Chutney
How about some dessert?
Have you been thoroughly surprised by how many yummy dishes you can make with eggplant? I bet you haven’t expected to see dessert in this list. Well, there is an absolutely delicious vegan dessert that you can hide eggplant in.
Vegan Chocolate Cake Made With Eggplants by Okonomi Kitchen
************
Is it hard to choose which one to try first right? Let us know in the comments which one became your favorite.
Anita
I love eggplants and these all look so good. I can’t wait to give some of these a try. 🙂