66 Eggplant Delights

The humble eggplant, a versatile vegetable that graces kitchens worldwide, offers a delightful journey for the palate. Whether you call it eggplant or aubergine, its ability to absorb flavours, coupled with its tender, sometimes smoky, flesh, makes it a culinary chameleon. From vibrant Asian stir-fries to hearty Mediterranean bakes, the eggplant proves its worth in countless dishes. This guide explores a diverse array of eggplant recipes, showcasing its adaptability across various cuisines and cooking methods.

A World of Eggplant Delights

Eggplants can be prepared in a multitude of ways: grilled to achieve a beautiful char, roasted until meltingly soft, steamed to a delicate texture, or fried to a delightful crisp. They can be blitzed into smooth dips or coated in batter for a satisfying crunch.

• Spicy & Tangy: For those who enjoy a bit of a kick, the Dainty Sichuan's fish-fragrant eggplant braise is a standout. This dish delivers a tingling sensation on the lips, a testament to its bold flavour profile.
• Mediterranean Inspiration: A roasted eggplant and ezme salad draws on traditional Turkish flavours, offering a well-balanced and intensely flavourful experience.
• Quick & Easy Fixes: When a quick eggplant fix is needed, a spiced eggplant katsu sando provides a satisfying Japanese-inspired sandwich, perfect for a vegetarian lunch. Alternatively, Tony Tan’s eggplant and broad beans with soy-sesame dressing offers a speedy yet flavourful option for those short on time.

No matter your preference, there's an eggplant recipe to suit every taste and occasion.

Featured Eggplant Recipes

Here's a curated selection of exceptional eggplant recipes that are guaranteed to impress:

• Chickpeas with Steamed Eggplant, Almonds, and Harissa Steamed eggplant adds a perfect umami depth to this zesty chickpea dish. The gentle cooking method for the eggplant results in a silky texture that complements the other ingredients beautifully.

• Grilled Eggplant Salad with Freekeh, Artichoke, Tomato, and Labne This Mediterranean-inspired salad is a nourishing and delicious combination of grilled eggplant, hearty freekeh, tender artichoke hearts, ripe tomatoes, and creamy labne. It’s a vibrant and flavourful dish that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.

• Pilloni’s Eggplant Cutlet with Spicy Tomato Sauce Known in Italian as Cotoletta di melanzane, this dish offers a delightful take on a classic cutlet, featuring succulent eggplant paired with a zesty, spicy tomato sauce.

• Roasted Eggplant and Ezme Salad Drawing inspiration from traditional Turkish cuisine, this roast eggplant salad is a masterclass in balance and flavour. The smoky notes from the roasted eggplant are perfectly complemented by the fresh, vibrant ezme.

• Gnocchetti Sardi with Smoked Eggplant alla Norma A delightful twist on the classic Sicilian Pasta alla Norma, this version features smoked eggplant, adding an extra layer of depth and complexity to the traditional combination of tomato sauce, basil, and ricotta salata.

• Eggplant Parmigiana Involtini A simple yet utterly delicious recipe for eggplant parmigiana involtini, offering a refined take on the beloved Italian classic. These rolled parcels are a testament to the elegance that can be achieved with humble ingredients.

• Crisp Eggplant Schnitzel with Yasai Itame Experience the delightful contrast of textures with these crisp, panko-crumbed eggplants, perfectly paired with a Japanese yasai itame (stir-fried vegetables). It’s a satisfying vegetarian main or a substantial side dish.

• Oregano Eggplant with Freekeh, Feta, and Dill A true winner for picnics and potluck gatherings, this dish combines the earthy flavours of eggplant with the nutty chew of freekeh, the salty tang of feta, and the fresh aroma of dill.

• Smoky Eggplant Dip with Charred Bread  

Homemade dips are always a winner, and this smoky eggplant dip is no exception. For an extra special touch, consider making your own flatbread to serve alongside.

Dainty Sichuan’s Fish-Fragrant Eggplant (Yu Xiang Qie Zi) A celebrated recipe from Melbourne's Dainty Sichuan, this dish offers the classic Sichuan flavour profile of yu xiang qie zi, with its signature sweet, sour, and spicy notes.

• Giovanni Pilu’s Crumbed Sardines with Pecorino and Eggplant Purée This dish delivers all the crisp and crunch you could desire, with succulent sardines complemented by the sharp flavour of pecorino and a smooth, rich eggplant purée.

• Jacqui Challinor’s Smoked Eggplant and Pomegranate Salad A salad designed for true eggplant lovers, this dish features the deep, smoky flavour of smoked eggplant beautifully balanced with the tart jewels of pomegranate.

• Tony Tan’s Eggplant, Coconut, and Tamarind Sambal This sambal is a flavour explosion, hitting all the right notes with its combination of sour and spicy elements. It’s a versatile condiment that can elevate a variety of dishes.

• Spiced Eggplant and Chickpea Fatteh Shake up your morning routine with this fragrant and savoury Middle Eastern breakfast dish. The combination of spiced eggplant and chickpeas in fatteh is both comforting and exciting.

• Sweet and Sour Eggplant Skewers with Coconut and Kale Sambal Influenced by Sri Lankan flavours, these punchy skewers offer a delightful sweet and sour profile. The accompanying coconut and kale sambal adds a tropical flair, perfect for transforming vegetarian skewers into a holiday-inspired meal. You can easily add fish or chicken for a protein boost.

• Spiced Eggplant Katsu Sandos A fantastic vegetarian lunch option, these Japanese-inspired eggplant sandwiches are packed with flavour and satisfying textures.

• Eggplant Tabbouleh Salad with Grilled Peaches and Pomegranate This inventive salad reimagines the traditional tabbouleh, infusing it with the savoury notes of za’atar, the sweetness of grilled peaches, and the burst of freshness from pomegranate seeds.

• Vegetable Moussaka A hearty, vegetable-focused take on the beloved cheesy Greek classic, this moussaka is a comforting and flavourful dish that’s perfect for a family meal.

• Stuffed Eggplant with Shredded Chicken and Mozzarella This comforting recipe embodies the essence of big-flavoured Greek home cooking, with tender eggplants stuffed with shredded chicken and melted mozzarella.

• Carrot and Chilli Fritters with Eggplant Pickle and Yoghurt A brilliant way to sneak in your five-a-day, these fritters are packed with carrot and chilli, served with a cooling yoghurt and a zesty eggplant pickle. They are a dinnertime champion.

• Harissa-Roasted Lamb Rump with Pomegranate and Eggplant Elevate your next Sunday roast with this simple yet impactful Middle Eastern twist. The harissa-spiced lamb is beautifully complemented by the sweetness of pomegranate and the richness of roasted eggplant.

• Palisa Anderson’s Gaeng Keow Wan Gai (Thai Green Chicken Curry) Ditch the takeaway menu and discover the joy of making curry paste from scratch. This authentic Thai green chicken curry, featuring tender eggplant, is a flavour revelation.

• Eggplant and Pineapple Curry This curry is a perfect all-weather dish. It’s warming enough for winter but light enough to enjoy during the summer months, with the sweetness of pineapple balancing the earthy eggplant.

• Smoky Eggplant with Sumac Onions Achieving perfectly soft and gooey eggplant is foolproof with this recipe. Pricking and charring the eggplant ensures it’s tender enough to spread on crusty bread.

• Tony Tan’s Eggplant and Broad Beans with Soy-Sesame Dressing When you love eggplant but are pressed for time, this recipe is your go-to. It’s a quick and delicious way to enjoy this versatile vegetable.

• Dry Curry of Lamb and Eggplant A flavourful dry curry featuring tender lamb and soft eggplant, this dish is a testament to the power of slow cooking and aromatic spices.

• Good Luck Pinbone’s Sichuan Chilli Eggplant with Wood-Ear Fungus A highly sought-after recipe for spicy eggplant, this dish from Sydney’s Good Luck Pinbone is a favourite for its bold Sichuan flavours and delightful texture contrast with wood-ear fungus.

• Capitano’s Caponata This vegan Italian dish is a celebration of deep, layered umami flavours. Rich and stew-like, it’s a satisfying and versatile accompaniment.

• Barbecued Eggplant Salad with Goat’s Curd, Mint, and Pomegranate The ultimate eye-catching vegetable dish for your next barbecue. The smoky flavour of barbecued eggplant is beautifully enhanced by creamy goat's curd, fresh mint, and tart pomegranate seeds.

• Hanuman’s Eggplant Pachadi A delightful eggplant pachadi from Darwin's Hanuman restaurant, this dish offers a unique blend of South Indian flavours and textures.

• Calamari with Spiced Eggplant For a fast and easy midweek dinner, barbecued calamari with spiced eggplant is a winner. The smoky char on the calamari pairs wonderfully with the tender, spiced eggplant.

• Bone Marrow with Pickled Eggplant Salad A sophisticated dish that combines the richness of bone marrow with the bright, tangy flavours of a pickled eggplant salad.

• Pork and Eggplant Salad with Salted Chilli This fast recipe offers a flavourful pork and eggplant salad with a delightful kick from salted chilli. It’s a quick and satisfying meal.

• Brent Savage’s Coal-Roasted Eggplant with Black Garlic An all-eggplant affair that highlights smoky notes and textural intrigue. Coal-roasting the eggplant brings out its inherent sweetness and creates a wonderfully tender result, enhanced by the deep, complex flavour of black garlic.

• Sichuan Braised Eggplant A classic Sichuan dish that showcases the eggplant's ability to soak up rich, savoury sauces. This braised eggplant is a flavourful and comforting addition to any meal.

• Butter-Fried Bread with Eggplant and Herbs by René Redzepi & Nadine Levy Redzepi A simple yet inspired creation from renowned chefs, this dish features butter-fried bread topped with tender eggplant and fresh herbs, highlighting the beauty of humble ingredients.

• Spiced Lamb with Eggplant Salad This fast recipe pairs warmly spiced lamb with a refreshing eggplant salad, creating a balanced and satisfying meal that’s quick to prepare.

• Lau’s Family Kitchen’s Eggplant Stuffed with Taro A delightful Chinese entree from Lau's Family Kitchen, this recipe features tender eggplant stuffed with a flavourful taro filling, offering a unique and delicious combination.

• Roast Eggplant, ‘Nduja, and Scamorza A flavour-packed dish from Bourke Street Bakery After Hours, this recipe combines the smoky sweetness of roast eggplant with the spicy kick of 'nduja and the creamy melt of scamorza cheese.

• Analiese Gregory’s Flatbread with Miso Eggplant and Urchin Everything tastes better on flatbread, and this creation by Analiese Gregory is no exception. The savoury miso eggplant is beautifully complemented by the unique flavour of sea urchin.

• Victor Liong’s Grilled Eggplant with Sesame, Cumin, and Chilli A fragrant and flavourful dish from Lee Ho Fook's head chef Victor Liong, this grilled eggplant recipe draws inspiration from the cooking styles of northern China, with a delightful blend of sesame, cumin, and chilli.

• Shane Delia’s Poached Chicken Salad with Harissa, Eggplant, Spring Onion, and Tahini This vibrant salad offers a double dressing experience: the nuttiness of tahini and the spicy punch of harissa and lemon. Tender poached chicken and smoky eggplant make this a truly memorable dish.

• Charred Prawns, Eggplant, and Chickpeas with Roast Tomato Vinaigrette A simple yet elegant dish that works beautifully as either a main course or a side. The char on the prawns and eggplant adds a wonderful depth of flavour, complemented by the bright roast tomato vinaigrette.

• Burrata with Char-Grilled Eggplant The creamy indulgence of burrata is perfectly paired with the smoky, tender char of grilled eggplant in this simple yet stunning dish.

• Eggplant, Tofu, and Sugarsnap Peas with Ginger and Soy Dressing A light and refreshing salad that sings with Asian-inspired flavours. The combination of eggplant, tofu, and crisp sugarsnap peas is brought together by a zesty ginger and soy dressing.

• Grilled Eggplant Salad with Lentils and Sesame Yoghurt This fast recipe offers a hearty and flavourful grilled eggplant salad, enriched with protein-packed lentils and a creamy, nutty sesame yoghurt dressing.

• Longsong’s Eggplant Salad with Shallots and Salted Ricotta The smoky essence of coal-roasted eggplant is the star in this stand-out salad from Longsong chef David Moyle. It's complemented by the salty tang of ricotta salata and the sweetness of golden shallots.

• Palisa Anderson’s Yum Makeua (Grilled Eggplant Salad with Prawns) Fire up the barbecue for this flavour-packed Thai grilled eggplant salad. The smoky notes of the eggplant are beautifully enhanced by succulent prawns and a vibrant dressing.

• Smoky Eggplant and Walnut Dip A delightful twist on the classic baba ghanoush, this smoky eggplant and walnut dip offers a rich, nutty flavour profile that’s utterly addictive.

• Smoky Eggplant and Capsicum Dip with Pita Bread Imagine a delicious fusion of baba ghanoush and muhammara. This smoky dip, featuring eggplant and capsicum, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for your next gathering.

• Blue Nile’s Ethiopian Eggplant Dip Served with traditional mountain bread, the deep, smoky flavour of this Ethiopian eggplant dip is the perfect way to begin an evening meal.

• Charred Miso Eggplant with Nori and Sesame Nasu dengaku, a beloved Japanese export, is made accessible with this recipe. The charred eggplant, glazed with a savoury miso and a hint of sweetness, is a truly irresistible dish.

• Chickpeas with Steamed Eggplant and Almonds Steaming eggplant yields a wonderfully silky texture, offering a lighter alternative to frying. This dish combines the delicate eggplant with hearty chickpeas and crunchy almonds, with an optional curry paste in the dressing for an extra spicy kick. Consider starting this recipe a day ahead to allow the chickpeas to soak.

• Quick Okra, Eggplant, and Turmeric Stew The key to this vibrant stew is using very ripe tomatoes. The combination of okra, eggplant, and turmeric creates a comforting and flavourful dish that can be served with bread or atop a grilled fillet of fish.

• Christine Manfield’s Eggplant Sandwich A theatrical and delicious vegetarian sandwich from the celebrated Christine Manfield. This creation features goat's cheese, capsicum, pesto, and a balsamic vinaigrette, showcasing the eggplant's versatility.

• Prime-Rib Minute Steak, Spiced Eggplant, and Lemon Couscous This fun dish designed for sharing pairs seared prime-rib minute steak with the vibrant flavours of Middle Eastern spiced eggplant and bright lemon couscous.

• Warm Eggplant Zaalouk with Spiced Lamb Skewers Achieve perfectly gooey eggplant without needing a grill or barbecue. This warm eggplant zaalouk is a delightful accompaniment to flavourful spiced lamb skewers.

• Eggplant Parma Jaffles A comforting and flavourful take on the classic jaffle, this recipe features eggplant parma, combining the beloved flavours of eggplant parmesan in a convenient toasted sandwich.

• Stir-Fried Eggplant with Sweet Tamarind Sauce A delicious recipe for stir-fried eggplant coated in a sweet and tangy tamarind sauce, offering a delightful balance of flavours.

• Dan Hong’s Crisp Eggplant with Fish-Fragrant Sauce Despite its name, fish-fragrant sauce contains no fish. Instead, its signature sweet, sour, and spicy elements, traditionally used for Sichuan fish dishes, give this crisp eggplant dish its unique and captivating flavour.

• Roast Eggplant, Tomato, and Basil Spelt Pasta A vegan pasta dish that’s both satisfying and flavourful. A generous sprinkle of pangrattato and fresh basil leaves add texture and aromatic depth to the roasted eggplant and tomato combination.

• Papoutsakia A classic Greek dish where eggplants are stuffed and baked, offering a hearty and flavourful meal.

• Danielle Alvarez’s Summer Vegetable Tian This beautiful vegetable tian, featuring a medley of seasonal produce including eggplant, works wonderfully as a delicious side dish or can stand on its own as a light main.

• Eggplant Parmigiana While there's a little effort involved in frying the eggplant slices before layering, the resulting eggplant parmigiana is absolutely worth it. This classic Italian dish is a comforting and flavourful favourite.

• Eggplant Lines A simple yet innovative eggplant recipe by Miznon chef Eyal Shani, this dish features an unusual presentation that highlights the eggplant's natural beauty and flavour.

• Burnt Honey and Teriyaki Japanese Eggplant This smoky eggplant recipe offers a delightful fusion of flavours, pairing the umami of miso with an irresistible burnt honey teriyaki glaze for a truly addictive dish.