5 Delicious Ways to Cook Eggplant

People tend to either love or hate eggplant, and often the hate comes from never having tasted it correctly prepared. Once you know the trick to how to cook eggplant, it’s a very healthy, filling veggie you can even use as a substitute for meats.

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Eggplant can be a bit mysterious, but it’s not hard to make delicious dishes from it! This post will take you through five different methods for cooking eggplant – from roasting to grilling to air frying – and share some well-loved flavor combinations and serving ideas.

Choosing the Eggplant

When you’re picking out your eggplant, look for one that’s firm, heavy for its size, and has smooth, shiny skin. Avoid any that have blemishes, bruises, or soft spots. The stem and cap should also be green and fresh-looking.

When you gently squeeze it, it should yield a little bit but not much. You don’t want it to be so firm it’s dried out, nor so soft that’s it’s mushy.

The color should be a deep, glossy purple. Some grocers use wax to keep veggies shiny, but if you hold it up to the light, you can learn to tell the difference between healthy shiny veggie skin and the dull shine of wax.

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The best plants are usually about 3 to 6 inches long. The plumper they are, the juicier they’ll be, which is great for baking. Long and slender are less juicy and may be better for frying.

Prepping It

Eggplant has an enzyme which can make it taste bitter in a dish. But luckily there’s a trick. You just need to salt the eggplant before cooking it. This helps draw out excess moisture and bitterness.

• Slice or cube the eggplant, with or without the skin on.
• Spread it across a baking tray or other surface and salt it with kosher salt. Let it sit that way for at least 20 minutes.
• Blot off the salt and excess liquid. Now the bitter enzymes are neutralized and all you’ll taste is that nutty, earthy, delicious flavor.

5 Easy Ways to Cook Eggplant

1. Roasted Eggplant

Roasting is one of the simplest and most versatile ways to cook eggplant. It brings out the natural sweetness and gives you that delectable creamy texture.

To roast eggplant:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Cut the eggplant into 1-inch cubes or thick slices, then toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the eggplant pieces out in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until the eggplant is tender and lightly browned.

Roasted eggplant is delicious on its own as a side dish, or you can use it in all kinds of recipes. Try tossing it with pasta, layering it in lasagna or moussaka, or blending it into a creamy dip or spread.

2. Grilled Eggplant

Grilling is another fantastic way to cook eggplant. The high heat gives you a nice char on the outside while keeping the inside soft and creamy.

Here’s how to grill eggplant:

1. Slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch thick rounds or lengthwise planks.
2. Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Grill over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side, until tender and lightly charred.

Grilled eggplant is delicious on its own as a side, or you can use it in all kinds of dishes. It’s amazing in Mediterranean-style salads, layered into sandwiches, or tossed with pasta and tomato sauce.

3. Air Fryer Eggplant

If you have an air fryer, it’s a game-changer for cooking eggplant. The hot air circulation gives you that crispy outside while keeping the inside creamy.

To air fry eggplant:

1. Cut the eggplant into 1/2-inch thick slices or cubes.
2. Toss the eggplant pieces with a tablespoon or two of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange the eggplant in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
4. Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until the eggplant is tender and lightly browned.

Air fried eggplant makes a fantastic snack or side dish. You can also use it in all kinds of recipes, from eggplant Parmesan to ratatouille. The texture is out of this world!

4. Pan-Fried Eggplant

For a quick and easy eggplant preparation, pan-frying is the way to go. This method gives you that lovely golden-brown exterior and creamy interior.

Here’s how to pan-fry eggplant:

1. Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Working in batches if needed, add the eggplant slices or cubes to the hot oil.
3. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and tender.
4. Transfer the fried eggplant to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Pan-fried eggplant is delicious on its own as a side dish, or you can use it in all kinds of recipes. It’s amazing in eggplant Parmesan, ratatouille, or layered into a Mediterranean veggie sandwich.

5. Eggplant Caponata

Caponata is a classic Sicilian dish that features cooked eggplant in a sweet and sour sauce. It’s a fantastic way to showcase the unique flavor of eggplant.

To make eggplant caponata:

1. Dice the eggplant into 1-inch cubes and salt it as described earlier.
2. In a large skillet, sauté the eggplant in olive oil over medium heat until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
3. Add diced onions, celery, garlic, and a splash of red wine vinegar. Cook for 5 more minutes.
4. Stir in diced tomatoes, capers, olives, sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve the caponata warm or at room temperature, either on its own as an appetizer or side dish, or use it as a topping for crostini, pasta, or grilled fish or chicken. It’s a wonderfully flavorful way to enjoy eggplant.

Flavor Pairings and Serving Ideas

Now that you’ve mastered the basic cooking methods, let’s talk about some delicious ways to serve up your eggplant creations.

Eggplant pairs beautifully with a wide range of flavors, from Mediterranean herbs and spices to Asian-inspired sauces and seasonings. Some of my favorite flavor combinations include:

• Roasted eggplant with garlic, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze
• Grilled eggplant layered with mozzarella, tomato, and fresh pesto
• Air fried eggplant tossed with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame seeds
• Pan-fried eggplant cubes in a coconut curry sauce, served over basmati rice
• Eggplant caponata spooned over grilled chicken or fish

You can also get creative and use cooked eggplant in all kinds of dishes, from dips and spreads to pasta sauces, pizzas, and more. It’s a wonderfully versatile ingredient that adds a creamy, savory element to both vegetarian and meat-based recipes.