What Are Japanese eggplants and How Can I Use Them?

Wondering what to do with japanese eggplants? This guide covers how to pick them, cook them, store them, and swap them — with 23 recipes to put them to work.

Recipes using japanese eggplants

There are 23 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Composed California Corn Salad

A stunning composed salad of fresh corn, peppers, squash, zucchini, and Japanese eggplant on peppery arugula, dressed in walnut oil and rice vinegar.

Grilled-Vegetable Herb & Goat Cheese Sandwiches

Grilled vegetable herb and goat cheese sandwiches layer grilled zucchini and Japanese eggplant with sundried tomato herb oil, creamy goat cheese, and spinach on baguette.

Stuffed Eggplant Pickles

Stuffed eggplant pickles filled with minced cabbage, red bell pepper, garlic, and dill, tied with softened celery ribs and fermented in vinegar brine. A traditional Middle Eastern style pickle ready in 2 to 3 weeks.

Italian Brochettes with Angel Hair Pasta

Italian vegetable brochettes with angel hair pasta: grilled eggplant, zucchini, fennel, bell peppers, and mushrooms over thyme-smoked coals, tossed with pasta in a tomato-thyme marinade sauce. Vegan, oil-free.

Pasta with Chicken & Grilled Veggies

Fettuccine tossed with grilled chicken, portobello mushrooms, Japanese eggplant, charred roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and Parmesan. A summer pasta loaded with smoky flavor.

Eggplant With Tofu (Chinese New Year)

Eggplant with tofu, tradditional Chinese cooking! Tastes well!

Thai-Style Chicken & Vegetable Stir-Fry

Creamy and tangy coconut milk, Thai red curry paste and coconut milk make this delicious stir fry that has chunks of flavorful chickens and veggies. A quick yet tasty week day dinner.

Miso Barbequed Tofu

Miso barbecued tofu with grilled Japanese eggplant, shiitake mushrooms, and scallions basted in a sweet miso-plum sauce glaze. A plant-based Japanese-inspired grilled dinner in 30 minutes.

Yogurt-Herb-Eggplant Spread

Roasted eggplant and yogurt spread, garlic-studded and perfumed with thyme and oregano, blended creamy with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. A tangy, herby Mediterranean dip for pita, crackers, or toasted bread.

Eggplant with Chicken(Or Tofu)

Thai-style eggplant stir-fry with chicken or tofu, fresh basil, red chili peppers, and yellow bean sauce. A fast, fragrant weeknight dish ready in under 35 minutes.

Eggplant with Tofu

Eggplant with tofu stir-fries thinly sliced Japanese eggplant and silky tofu cubes with garlic, fresh chiles, basil, and salty yellow bean sauce. A Thai-style 30-minute vegetarian main.

Cheesy Eggplant Pasta Sauce

Cheesy eggplant pasta sauce with mushrooms, red pepper, and blended cottage cheese braised in dry sherry. A creamy, low-fat vegetarian sauce with nutritional yeast for extra savory depth.

Ziti with Ratatouille Sauce

Garden-loaded ratatouille sauce with eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and sweet potato tossed with ziti and showered in fresh basil and mint. A vibrant, plant-based pasta that eats like a celebration of summer produce.

Melanzane Sott'Olio (Lightly Pickled Eggplant)

Italian marinated eggplant sott'olio made with Japanese eggplant simmered in red wine vinegar, then layered with fresh mint, garlic, and red pepper flakes under olive oil. Marinate two days for bold antipasto flavor.

Eggplant with Chicken (Or Tofu)

Thai-style stir-fried eggplant with chicken or tofu, fresh basil, red chiles, and yellow bean sauce. Ready in 30 minutes with just 7 ingredients. Serve immediately for best color.

Sinigang Na Isda (Fish in Sour Soup)

Filipino fish sinigang with halibut simmered in rice water and fresh lemon juice alongside daikon, Japanese eggplant, chili, and spinach. A light, tangy soup ready in under an hour.

Goat Cheese & Grilled Eggplant Salad

Goat cheese and grilled eggplant salad layers smoky charred Japanese eggplant with creamy goat cheese, toasted pine nuts, fresh basil, mint, and balsamic. A vibrant Mediterranean side or light summer lunch.

Eggplant Tomato Tart

I've made this pie and my adult daughters thought it tasted like pizza. I love it!!!

Linguine with Chicken & Eggplant

Linguine with grilled chicken and eggplant tosses hot pasta with smoky charred Japanese eggplant, chicken, fresh basil, garlic, and Romano cheese. Rustic Italian dinner ready in under an hour.

Grilled Japanese Eggplants

Grilled Japanese eggplants: smoky grilled baby eggplants served with roasted red peppers, warm herbed goat cheese medallions, and candied spiced walnuts. A stunning composed salad that looks restaurant-plated.

Eggplant with Spicy Meat

Chinese-style eggplant stir-fry with spicy ground pork, chile oil, hoisin, soy sauce, and Chinese black vinegar, finished with a cornstarch glaze. Ready in 20 minutes and deeply savory.

Imam Baldi

Imam Baldi, a Turkish stuffed eggplant with tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil, and oregano baked until soft and fragrant. A classic Mediterranean vegetable dish that's naturally vegan.

Garlic Eggplant (Vegan)

Vegan garlic eggplant with mushrooms, onions, and basil, simmered until meltingly soft. Oil-free, sauteed in water or veggie stock, and loaded with nearly a full head of garlic.

All 23 recipes