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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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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Did you like these recipes and make any of them? Let us know in the comments below and leave a rating. You can also Pin this article here or share it on social media!

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.

What can I do with too many eggplants? ›

Lengthwise-sliced eggplant pieces can be pan-fried (or grilled or roasted or broiled), stuffed with ricotta or other cheeses, rolled, and baked into involtini with tomato sauce. Halved Chinese (or any long, slender variety) eggplants can be marinated and microwaved until tender.

How do you cook eggplant without getting soggy? ›

Eggplant Cooking Tips

Eggplant skin is edible, but can be peeled or stripped based on personal preference. Eggplants are known to absorb a lot of fat while cooking. A useful tip to prevent sogginess and greasiness is to salt sliced or diced eggplant and let it sit for an hour.

What makes eggplant taste good? ›

The oil still left in the eggplant tissues contributes to the soft, buttery texture that's so appealing. Oil also carries the essence of added herbs and spices, so that eggplant dishes can become rich with the aromas and heady flavors of onions, peppers, anchovies, parsley, garlic, and lemon juice.

Should you peel eggplant before frying it? ›

Eggplant can be cooked either way—skin-on or peeled! This is entirely based on personal preference. Some love the extra bite and purple hue that peaks through the breading of a slice of fried eggplant, while others find the texture of the skin a little crunchy and unappealing once fried.

When should you not eat 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.

What not to eat with eggplant? ›

There are no specific foods that you should avoid eating after consuming brinjal (eggplant). Brinjal is a versatile vegetable and can be consumed with a wide variety of foods. However, if you have any personal dietary restrictions or allergies, you should adhere to those guidelines.

When should you not use eggplant? ›

Bad eggplant looks wrinkly and dull-colored. Squishy texture and a rotten odor are other common signs of bad eggplant. Fresh eggplant lasts 2-3 days at room temperature, 5 days in the refrigerator, and 8-12 months in the freezer. Eggplant that turns brown after you slice it is okay to eat.

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.

Should you soak eggplant in milk or salt water? ›

Soak it in milk.

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.

Do you rinse salt off eggplant before cooking? ›

Conventional wisdom has you salt the slices to draw bitter liquid out of the eggplant. Once the slices have sat for about a hour, you're suppose to rinse them under cool water to remove any excess salt and then proceed with your recipe.

Why is my eggplant still hard after cooking? ›

You mentioned that once they turned out tough and chewy: then they were not cooked fully through. Vegetables are not like meat, which turn rubbery when overcooked. They turn soft rather. Watch out for the opposite as well: Eggplants when cooked for a long time may turn mushy.

Why is my fried eggplant bitter? ›

The white part of an eggplant, also known as the "flesh," can sometimes turn bitter when cooked due to the presence of a naturally occurring compound called solanine. Solanine is a glycoalkaloid that is found in many members of the nightshade family of plants, which includes eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers.

Why do you soak eggplant in vinegar? ›

The secret for keeping the purple in eggplants is soaking it in vinegar for 5 minutes. This step is optional as it doesn't affect the taste, but if you are serving guests, soak the eggplant in 6 cups of water and 3 tbsp of vinegar for 5 minutes, and the eggplant will stay nice and purple even after steaming.

Why is eggplant hard after cooking? ›

You mentioned that once they turned out tough and chewy: then they were not cooked fully through. Vegetables are not like meat, which turn rubbery when overcooked. They turn soft rather. Watch out for the opposite as well: Eggplants when cooked for a long time may turn mushy.

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