20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (2024)

by Alena

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (1)

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Eat more veggies with these flavorful and hearty vegan eggplant recipes! The following ideas are tried, true and incredibly tasty.

No matter if you want to prepare a light dinner or quick appetizer, eggplant season has a lot to offer.

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (2)

free 7-day vegan meal plan

Your next week of eating is planned out with these quick and delicious vegan bowls, meal prepping steps & full grocery list.

Even if you haven’t been a fan of this vegetable so far, the following flavorful recipes, from sandwiches and sides to meaty mains, will blow you away!

Our hand-picked list goes way beyond just a simple roasted eggplant and offers ideas for every need.

Some recipes are best enjoyed during summer, while others are perfect during the holiday season, including Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

Fantastic Vegan Eggplant Recipes

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (3)

Quinoa Stuffed Eggplant

Comforting, healthy and with a touch of sweetness, these Moroccan-inspired stuffed eggplant halves make for a great dinner idea. They feature protein-packed chickpeas and quinoa, cozy spices and tomato sauce.

2

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (4)

Flavorful Vegetable Stir-Fry

Use your eggplant to make a simple veggie stir-fry! Cook alongside broccoli, snap peas, squash and marinated tofu, then serve over rice.

3

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (5)

Easy Baked Ratatouille

If you have lots of fresh summer produce, including eggplant, tomato and zucchini, try this colorful baked ratatouille for a flavorful veggie side! It’s sure to impress anyone and can be served with many main dishes.

4

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (6)

Moroccan Collard Green Wraps

These collard green wraps feature cooked millet, crunchy colorful veggies as well as roasted eggplant and chickpeas. You’ll love this combination, especially with the quick orange mustard dip!

5

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (7)

Vegan Eggplant Parmesan

Photo Credit:wowitsveggie.com

Looking for a light, tasty and indulgent dinner idea? This vegan eggplant parmesan is quickly put together and doesn’t take long in the oven, either. No vegan parmesan cheese needed!

6

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (8)

Eggplant with Buckwheat & Pomegranate

Photo Credit:cookingwithelo.com

Ready for something special? This recipe calls for oven-roasted eggplant, served with cooked buckwheat, walnuts and a warming vegan pomegranate sauce. Best enjoyed on colder days with a side of green salad!

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (9)

Vegan Eggplant Gyros

Photo Credit:www.delishknowledge.com

Skip the meat for this hearty eggplant gyros! Za'atar seasoned and roasted, it gets stuffed in warm pita and topped with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers and hummus-dill sauce.

8

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (10)

Dal with Roasted Eggplant

Photo Credit:mygoodnesskitchen.com

If you love Indian food, make this red lentil dal with lots of delicious spices and topped with roasted eggplant! It’s a weeknight-friendly dinner idea for the whole family.

9

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (11)

Low-Carb Eggplant Pizza

Photo Credit:elavegan.com

These mini eggplant pizzas are great appetizers and perfect for those following a low-carb vegan diet! They are ready in only 30 minutes, gluten-free and can be made with different toppings.

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (12)

Grilled Portobello and Eggplant Burger

Photo Credit:www.saltandlavender.com

Make this super healthy burger with grilled marinated portobello mushrooms and eggplants instead of a meat patty! Complete with shallots, fresh veggies and vegan mayo, these burgers are nutritious and indulgent.

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (13)

Roasted Eggplant with Tahini Sauce

Photo Credit:thevegconnection.com

Tender and savory, these roasted eggplant slices with creamy tahini sauce and fresh mint make for a special side dish! This recipe works for special occasions or weeknights.

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (14)

Vegan Eggplant Rollatini

Photo Credit:veganhuggs.com

Brimming with fresh and smoky flavor, this eggplant rollatini dish is crowd-pleasing and such an eye-catcher! Serve it to your dinner guests and watch even non-veggies devour this meal in no time.

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (15)

Vegan Eggplant Meatballs

Photo Credit:itsavegworldafterall.com

Yes, you can even make veggie meatballs out of eggplant! This easy recipe is family-friendly, full of flavor and nutrients and the texture is almost like the “real thing.”

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (16)

Miso-Glazed Eggplant

Photo Credit:sixhungryfeet.com

Do you like Japanese flavors? Try this miso-glazed baked eggplant with a sweet and salty sauce over rice and tofu.

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (17)

Eggplant Caramelized Onion Pizza

Photo Credit:www.mydarlingvegan.com

If you’re up for creative vegan pizza toppings, try this crispy eggplant and caramelized onion version! The veggies are nestled atop creamy vegan cheese and a quick homemade crust — the perfect special dinner idea.

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (18)

Georgian Eggplant Rolls

Photo Credit:happykitchen.rocks

Only three main ingredients are needed for this beautiful vegan appetizer! Baked eggplant slices are stuffed with walnuts, garlic and exotic spices, then rolled and decorated with pomegranate seeds.

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (19)

Eggplant Puttanesca

Photo Credit:simple-veganista.com

Let this simple and delicious vegan dinner idea fulfill all your senses! It is a perfect blend of tender eggplant, spicy red pepper flakes and salty olives and capers, with a slight touch of sweetness from the sauce.

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (20)

Baba Ganoush

Photo Credit:theforkedspoon.com

This classic Middle Eastern dip is made with roasted eggplant, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. Simple ingredients yet big flavor!

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (21)

Crunchy Vegan Baked Eggplant

Photo Credit:www.lavenderandmacarons.com

Make meat-eaters fall in love with veggies by serving them this tasty baked eggplant coated in crunchy breadcrumbs and served with white cheese sauce and toasted corn. What a delicious combination!

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (22)

Eggplant Coconut Curry

Photo Credit:vegancocotte.com

Try this 30-minute eggplant coconut curry with peanut butter for a simple, easy and satisfying weeknight dinner. Serve over rice and sprinkle with fresh lime!

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (23)

Baked Eggplant Fries

Photo Credit:www.veggiesdontbite.com

These eggplant fries will turn even the eggplant hater into a lover! They are healthy, easy, delicious and baked to crispy perfection.

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (24)

Easy Eggplant Sandwich

Photo Credit:littlesunnykitchen.com

Make this hearty vegan eggplant sandwich your next to-go lunch! Layers of smoky eggplant and fresh vegetables are packed in panini bread, then toasted till perfection.

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20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (25)

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Eat more veggies with these flavorful and hearty vegan eggplant recipes! The following ideas are tried, true and really tasty. Be sure to try our smoky eggplant bacon and leave a review!

Ingredients

Smoky Eggplant Bacon

  • 1 eggplant
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 325 °F (160 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Cut the eggplant into quarters lengthwise, then slice into thin and long strips, about ⅛ inch thick. Use a sharp knife or mandolin slicer for this step.
  3. Combine all ingredients apart from the eggplant. Whisk with a spoon, then brush onto both sides of your eggplant slices.
  4. Line the homemade eggplant bacon strips next to each other on the prepared baking sheet. Place in the oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping the eggplant slices halfway through.
  5. Remove once brown and crispy!

Notes

  • You can add liquid smoke, onion powder, cumin and vegan Worcestershire sauce to the marinade if wanted.
  • Use your eggplant bacon for hearty breakfast bowls, in sandwiches or any other way.
  • Find 20+ more vegan eggplant recipes in the article above!
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4Serving Size: ¼ recipe
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 91Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 440mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 4gSugar: 6gProtein: 2g

Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated automatically, their accuracy is not guaranteed. Just focus on whole plant-based foods and eat until satiety!

Please rate & share if you like this!

Leave a comment on our blog or share on Pinterest or Instagram.

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Vegetables Appetizer Dinner Sides Summer

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (26)

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (27)Alena Schowalter is a Certified Vegan Nutritionist who has been a vegetarian since childhood and vegan since 2012. Together with her husband, she founded nutriciously in 2015 and has been guiding thousands of people through different transition stages towards a healthy plant-based diet. She’s received training in the fields of nutrition, music therapy and social work. Alena enjoys discussions around vegan ethics, walks through nature and creating new recipes.

20+ Hearty Vegan Eggplant Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to cooking eggplant? ›

Eggplant is about 80 to 90 percent water, so when you put them in the oven they need space to evaporate all that water and caramelize properly," says Covarrubias. Give them a toss halfway through the cooking process to make sure they're cooked evenly, too.

Why do you soak eggplant before cooking? ›

Soak eggplant slices or cubes in milk for about 30 minutes before cooking. The milk not only tempers the bitterness, but it actually makes for eggplant that is extra creamy, since the vegetable acts like a sponge and soaks up a good amount of milk in its flesh.

What to do with abundance of eggplant? ›

Aubergenius ways to use up the eggplant in your fridge
  1. Eggplant mesa'a'ah (Egyptian spiced eggplant) ...
  2. Yotam Ottolenghi's aubergine dumplings alla parmigiana. ...
  3. Eggplant papoutsakia (stuffed eggplant) ...
  4. Melanzane alla parmigiana (eggplant parmigiana) ...
  5. Sicilian eggplant rolls. ...
  6. Slow-roasted butter eggplant curry.

How do you cook eggplant without losing nutrients? ›

Steaming is, in general, the way to retain the most nutrients in a vegetable. But it's boring, and by the very act of eating a vegetable, you're eating healthy (so long a it's not a French Fry or Awesome Blossom). Grilling is a nice way to eat an eggplant. As is sauteeing in a ratatouille.

Is it necessary to peel eggplant before cooking? ›

While the skin of a small young eggplant is edible, the skin becomes bitter on larger or older eggplants and should be peeled. When in doubt, the answer to, "Do you peel eggplant before cooking?" is yes, peel it. Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to remove the skin.

What happens if you don't salt eggplant before cooking? ›

Older recipes call for salting eggplant to draw out the bitter juices, but today's eggplants are less bitter (unless very large), so salting is largely unnecessary. It will, however, help the spongy flesh absorb less oil and crisp up like a dream.

Is it okay to eat eggplant that is brown inside? ›

Answer. Eggplant flesh will have tan to brown colored spots around the seeds. If this is the color you are referring to, it is edible. If the flesh is more brown than white, the eggplant may be spoiling and should be discarded.

What pairs well with eggplant? ›

What to cook with eggplants: classic pairings
  • With garlic.
  • With sesame.
  • With herbs.
  • With lamb.
  • With red wine.
  • With chocolate.
  • With Goat's cheese.
  • With Nutmeg and Cinnamon.
Jul 25, 2018

What to avoid near eggplant? ›

What should I avoid planting next to eggplants? It's best to avoid other members of the nightshade family like potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes. Also, fennel and cilantro can be problematic when planted close to eggplants.

When not to use eggplant? ›

When looking at the exterior of the eggplant, check the stem and cap. Both should be green and fresh-looking. If they are starting to fade in color, that's an indicator that the vegetable may be spoiling. You'll also want to toss the eggplant if there is any mold on the stem or cap.

How do you remove toxins from eggplant? ›

However, eggplants also contain a substance, solanine, which is used to defend themselves against fungi and insects. It is precisely on this substance that the bitter taste of the eggplants depends. To eliminate it, the most common methods are soaking in water and vinegar and the salt technique.

Why is eggplant hard after cooking? ›

If it's an extra-large eggplant, the vegetable could be older and the skin tougher, therefore, it's a smart idea to peel it. But small, young eggplant have thin, tender skins that add great texture to the vegetable when cooked.

How do you know when eggplant is cooked enough? ›

When it's cooked, “it should turn fully tender, all the flesh should be somewhat custardy. If you have to, hammer it a bit, knock it around, let it start to collapse.” When you're roasting eggplant, like in YuChen's recipe, “make sure you give them enough space so they can cook evenly,” she says.

Which cooking method is appropriate for eggplant? ›

Fried or baked eggplant is delicious, but they are not the only ways to cook eggplant. Try it sautéed, stir-fried, grilled, or broiled.

How to prevent eggplant from absorbing oil when frying? ›

One of the trick for frying fried item in such a way that it not soak much of oil, is to add little salt to the frying pan with Oil. This makes the fried item not to absorb much oil. The oil has to be HOT! If you put the eggplant in the pan before it's really up to temperature, it will soak up more oil.

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