21 Eggplant Recipes Everyone Will Love

By Mary Shannon Wells
Southern Living

One of the best things about summer is the abundance of fresh fruits and veggies available. Although you can find it year-round, eggplant is in-season during the summer, and there are countless ways to prepare it. Since it’s a heartier vegetable that can stand up to many cooking methods, eggplant is a filling meat replacement for vegetarian meals. Classic eggplant parmesan is always a crowd-pleasing dinner option, but eggplant is also a perfect veggie to throw on the grill alongside those burgers this summer. On your next visit to the farmers’ market, be sure to stock up on eggplant because you’ll want to make all of these fresh eggplant recipes. Whether appetizers, side dishes, or meatless mains, these easy eggplant recipes are so versatile.

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Eggplant Parmesan with Feta

Southern Living

Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan with Feta

This Italian classic is perfect for an easy but impressive dinner when company is coming.

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Grilled Ratatouille Skewers

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Grilled Ratatouille Skewers

These grilled skewers are a fun way to get your veggies at the summer cookout.

 

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Roasted Tomato-Eggplant Soup with Garlic Croutons

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Roasted Tomato-Eggplant Soup with Garlic Croutons

Roasted eggplant adds depth to your usual favorite tomato soup, and crispy garlic croutons are the perfect accent.

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Grilled Eggplant-and-Corn Romesco Napoleons

Photo: Cedric Angeles; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Grilled Eggplant-and-Corn Romesco Napoleons

This colorful dish is a beautiful excuse to go meatless for dinner, and it’s ideal for firing up the grill in the summer when fresh corn is in abundance.

 

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Eggplant Rollups

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Eggplant Rollups

This recipe looks impressive but only takes a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes of hands-on time.

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Eggplant-Yogurt Dip

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Eggplant-Yogurt Dip

Our twist on classic baba ganoush is the fresh summer appetizer your dinner party needs. If you have leftovers, it would be delicious swiped on a sandwich or wrap in place of your usual condiments at lunch. 

 

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Pasta with Eggplant, Burrata, and Mint

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Pasta with Eggplant, Burrata, and Mint

Whether you’re looking for a meatless main dish or a side to pair with grilled chicken, steak, or seafood, this pasta recipe with dreamy burrata cheese should be your pick.

 

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Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Stuffed Eggplant Parmesan

Our stuffed version of classic eggplant parmesan is lower on carbs but doesn’t lack any flavor.

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Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant with Basil Vinaigrette

Southern Living

Recipe: Grilled Zucchini and Eggplant with Basil Vinaigrette

Use your fresh farmers’ market haul for this tasty grilled side dish recipe.

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Rainbow Greek Salmon Kabobs

Southern Living

Recipe: Rainbow Greek Salmon Kabobs

Every night by the grill doesn’t have to be weighed down with heavy red meat. If you’re looking for a lighter grilled recipe for dinner, these colorful kabobs include your main and side dishes in one.

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Slow Cooker Eggplant Parmesan

Anne Wolfe Postic

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Eggplant Parmesan

When in doubt, leave dinner to your slow cooker during busy weeks. South Carolina food writer Anne Wolfe Postic shared this amazing way to prepare eggplant parm that’s easier than ever.

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Garden Eggplant Pizza

Southern Living

Recipe: Garden Eggplant Pizza

You won’t feel guilty about eating this veggie-packed pizza.

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Crispy Eggplant, Tomato, and Provolone Stacks with Basil

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Crispy Eggplant, Tomato, and Provolone Stacks with Basil

How fun are these meatless mini sandwiches? If you want a protein boost, add bacon or prosciutto before baking.

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Charred Eggplant with Miso Dressing

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Charred Eggplant with Miso Dressing

As fancy as it sounds, this side dish recipe only takes a few easy ingredients. If you’re grilling out anyway, you have no reason not to try it.

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Spiced Eggplant Cutlets

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Spiced Eggplant Cutlets

Eggplant is a veggie that’s hearty enough to stand alone as a main dish. When paired with our Chickpea-feta salad, you have a beautifully balanced vegetarian meal, but you can always add grilled steak, chicken, or seafood.

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Grilled Summer Vegetable Platter

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Grilled Summer Vegetable Platter

This colorful veggie platter is ideal for a self-serve station at a backyard cookout, and the vinaigrette it’s served with gives it bonus flavor points.

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Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan Lasagna

This super cheesy lasagna is a hearty meatless replacement for your usual beefy lasagna recipe.

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Roasted Vegetables

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Roasted Vegetables

Use this recipe as your cheat sheet for perfectly roasted vegetables every time.

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Grilled Steak-and-Ratatouille Salad with Basil-Garlic Vinaigrette

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Steak-and-Ratatouille Salad with Basil-Garlic Vinaigrette

This main dish salad is a beautiful, low-carb way to enjoy steak night at your house, especially when it’s grilling weather outside.

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Chicken with Ratatouille

Photo: Dhanraj Emanuel

Recipe: Chicken with Ratatouille

This is the best one-dish dinner for using up fresh-from-the-market produce.

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Grilled Eggplant with Sweet Pepper-Tomato Topping

Southern Living

Recipe: Grilled Eggplant with Sweet Pepper-Tomato Topping

This fresh dish can be served as a light main or a colorful side.

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