39 Free Paleo Eggplant Recipes People Would Pay For
Eggplant, or aubergine, as they call it in the UK, is technically a fruit and not a vegetable. But as it’s mostly used like a vegetable (and doesn’t quite resemble any of the common fruits) we’ll call it a veggie for now.
Eggplants come in various colors, although purple is the most common one. They’re filled with nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6 and potassium.
If you’re trying to lose weight you might benefit from adding more eggplant in your diet. The fibers will help you feel full longer, and they’re great for your digestion, as well.
3 Tips for Eggplants
- Choose a small or medium eggplant over a large one. Smaller eggplants tend to have sweeter flavor. Try and cook the eggplant within 5 days of purchase – eggplants tend to get more bitter the longer they’re stored.
- You can remove some of the bitterness by cutting the eggplant into slices and sprinkling a little bit of salt on them. Let rest for 15-30 minutes before cooking (rinse, if needed).
- If you wish to bake the eggplant whole, pierce it with a fork few times. This way the steam will be able to escape.
This collection of paleo eggplant recipes is guaranteed to make your mouth water! Casseroles, salads, eggplant curry, baba ganoush – even eggplant chips and fries!
Here are just a few of the Paleo Eggplant Recipes we’ve included:
- Baked Eggplant Eggs with Puree of Eggplant, Clementine, and Basil
- Fried Eggplant
- Paleo Eggplant Curry
- Paleo Eggplant Beef Casserole
- Paleo Lasagna with Eggplants (Dairy-Free)
- Keto Eggplant Chicken Enchiladas
- Eggplant and Wild Mushroom Stuffing
- Chocolate Eggplant Cake
If you click or tap any of the links above, it will instantly take you to the recipe below. Or download the entire list by clicking on the green button below.
Paleo Eggplant Appetizers & Snacks
Baked Eggplant Eggs with Puree of Eggplant, Clementine, and Basil
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: eggplants, eggs, basil leaves, clementine, salt, coconut oil.
This is a whole new slant on an eggplant dish – it is packed with all the fresh flavors of basil and clementine to offset the slightly bland taste of the vegetable. This would be a lovely weekend breakfast dish to make to treat your significant other, or for a special breakfast on Mother’s Day for busy paleo Moms.
Keto Eggplant Burgers [Chinese Qiezi He]
– Keto Summit
![Keto Eggplant Burgers [Chinese Qiezi He]](https://paleoflourish.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/keto-eggplant-burgers-square.jpg)
Ingredients: ground pork, eggplants, green onions, ginger, gluten-free tamari sauce or coconut aminos, salt, pepper, garlic cloves, sesame oil, vinegar (apple cider).
If burgers are on the menu in your house, whether for lunch or as a starter for a dinner party, eggplant can be the perfect keto ‘bun’ replacement, as it holds together well once it is cooked. You can use whatever ground meat your family likes, but I recommend you make the dipping sauce described here, as the flavors from the tamari and garlic are fantastic! Even the younger members of the household will love these.
Keto Roasted Eggplant Dip
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: eggplant, garlic cloves, fresh lemon juice, coconut cream (from refrigerated cans of coconut milk), tahini paste, salt, pepper, sesame seeds.
With its roots in the traditional dish, baba ganoush, this eggplant dip is rich with the flavors of garlic and lemon, giving it a taste of the East. This makes a lovely dip to serve at a party with some vegetable sticks, or plantain chips. This dish is low in carbs, but also suitable for the paleo diet.
Low Carb & Gluten Free Eggplant “Fries”
– I Breathe I’m Hungry
Photo Credit: Mellissa from I Breathe I’m Hungry
Ingredients: eggplant, eggs, coconut flour, grated parmesan cheese (omit), garlic powder, salt, pepper, parsley flakes, olive oil.
The cheesy, garlicky coating on these fries gets really crispy when they are cooked, making them a really good substitute for potato if you are trying to keep your snacks low in carbs. If you have a problem with coconut flour you can use almond flour instead, but as it doesn’t soak up much liquid, you might want to salt the eggplant and drain the fries before cooking.
Eggplant Burger Patties – Filipino Style
– Low Carb Yum
Photo Credit: Lisa from Low Carb Yum
Ingredients: ground beef, garlic cloves, onion, sage, salt, ground black pepper, olive oil, eggs, sage, oregano, eggplant, onion powder, garlic powder, coconut aminos, limes.
This is a great recipe for those of you with large families or tight budgets, as it uses eggplant as an ‘expander’ for the meat, making it go a bit further. These burgers are quite low in carbs, but thanks to the Filipino dip, they are super tasty. If you prefer a ‘bun’ with your burger, you could use grilled eggplant slices as a low carb substitute.
Eggplant Bruschetta
– Peace, Love and Low Carb
Photo Credit: Kyndra from Peace Love and Low Carb
Ingredients: eggplant, fresh basil leaves, roma tomatoes, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, capers, avocado oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic cloves, onion powder, sea salt, black pepper.
Here is a slant on a traditional Italian dish that would be ideal to serve as a low carb appetizer for an Italian meal with friends or family. The slices of eggplant are coated in oil and balsamic vinegar and baked in the oven, and they make a great base for the bruschetta mixture. It has the earthy flavors of the olives, capers and artichoke hearts and has a lovely range of color.
Fried Eggplant
– Ditch the Carbs
Photo Credit: Libby from Ditch The Carbs
Ingredients: coconut oil, eggplants/aubergines, egg, almond meal/flour, herb/spice of choice, salt.
Here is another good recipe for low carb fries that you can use to encourage healthier eating among the family members. They have a lovely crispy coating and are great served with low carb dips. You could boost the flavors even more by adding a little grated parmesan to the coating mix or changing the herbs you use – just have fun experimenting with them!
*No Bread* Paleo French Toast
– Empowered Sustenance
Photo Credit: Empowered Sustenance
Ingredients: eggplant, unrefined salt, eggs, milk of choice, vanilla extract, cinnamon, coconut oil or ghee, toppings of your choice (fresh fruit, syrup, coconut cream, etc.).
The trick with using eggplant as paleo ‘bread’ is to salt it first, then leave it aside for thirty minutes to draw the most liquid off. This also gives it a gentler flavor, more adaptable to adding the toppings we normally associate with French toast. My favorites are cinnamon and a sprinkle of fresh berries!
Grilled Eggplant and Roasted Red Pepper Dip
– Cook Eat Paleo
Photo Credit: Lisa from Cook Eat Paleo
Ingredients: eggplant, garlic, red peppers, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh basil, sea salt, fresh ground pepper.
Since cooked eggplant is soft it makes a good ingredient for making into a dip, but this paleo recipe can also be used to serve as a side for steak or as a topping for burgers. Don’t panic at the thought of using a whole head of garlic – when you roast it the garlic has a subtle sweetness to its flavor and is not nearly as strong!
White Eggplant Dipping Sticks
– Cavegirl Cuisine
Photo Credit: Michelle from Cavegirl Cuisine
Ingredients: white eggplant, almond meal, coconut flour, rosemary, Chili 9000 (Penzey’s), sea salt, eggs, yellow mustard, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, raspberry balsamic vinegar.
Eggplant is a great ingredient to use as dipping sticks, as they adopt the flavors of the coatings. These ones have a good crunch and a bit of a kick from the chili powder. You can add in different herbs and spices to make these your own; just have fun experimenting with them and making your own paleo dips to go with them.
Lasagna Rolls
– Healy Eats Real
Photo Credit: Hannah from Healy Eats Real
Ingredients: eggplant, zucchini, organic tomato sauce, raw cashews, ghee or coconut oil, sea salt, pepper, water, garlic powder.
These little rolls make a wonderful appetizer, especially if your guests are vegetarian or vegan. They are quite straightforward to prepare and the color of the tomato sauce adds a lovely finishing touch. Just remember to salt and dry off as much moisture as you can from the zucchini and eggplant so that they don’t taste soggy. This also makes a tasty paleo light lunch!
Sesame Eggplant with Sriracha-Honey Drizzle (grain free)
– Seasonal & Savory
Photo Credit: Angela from Seasonal & Savory
Ingredients: eggplant, salt, eggs, water, sesame “flour”, ghee or coconut oil, sriracha, honey, toasted sesame oil.
With the crunch of the sesame seed coating, these delicious little sticks make a fantastic family snack, or a good dish to serve at a party. The drizzle has the sweetness of the honey and the heat of sriracha, but either can be adapted to suit your palate. These are one of the paleo snacks where you can’t eat just one!
Paleo Thai Chilled Eggplant Salad
– I Heart Umami
Ingredients: eggplants, eggs, red or green chili peppers, shallot, garlic cloves, salt, coconut oil, fresh lime juice, fish sauce, cilantro.
Like many Thai-inspired salads, this one can be eaten hot or cold, depending on how you feel, so it would be great to pack in a paleo lunchbox. It gets its traditional Thai flavors from the fish sauce and lime juice used in the dressing, which really boost the flavors of the other ingredients. I prefer to use a mild chili pepper in this dish, but if you like it hot you can use stronger ones.
Broiled Eggplant or Zucchini
– Nom Nom Paleo
Ingredients: globe eggplant or zucchini, coconut oil, kosher salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar or lemon juice, herbs like- basil, Italian parsley, etc.
Eggplant makes a really versatile addition to the paleo way of eating as it can be used in all sorts of dishes. It can be used for a snack, a side or as a replacement for pasta in a paleo lasagna. This recipe gives you broiled strips that you can serve simply with lemon juice. Try to make sure the slices are all the same thickness for even cooking.
Rosemary & Garlic Eggplant Chips
– Keto Diet App
Ingredients: eggplants, extra virgin olive oil, garlic clove, fresh (or dried) rosemary, salt.
Eggplant is one of those ingredients that takes o other stronger flavors really well, so here it is best to use garlic and a strong herb like rosemary to give that boost of flavor. These chips work best if you salt the vegetable beforehand and allow the juice to seep out. Serve these with a light keto dip!
Eggplant French Fries
– Maria Mind Body Health
Ingredients: eggplants, pork dust, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, eggs, coconut oil spray.
This clever recipe uses pork rind dust for the coating, but I sometimes like to use crushed rinds for added texture. These fries taste best when served with a paleo friendly ketchup or another dip of your choice. If you have any left, reheat the next day in the oven for even crispier chips!
The Best Ever Marinated Eggplant
– Keto Diet App
Ingredients: eggplants, extra virgin olive oil, dried Italian herbs (oregano, thyme and basil), sea salt, small dried chilis or chili flakes, white wine vinegar or apple cider.
Marinated vegetables and chilies can make a really useful topping for eggs and other dishes, giving the flavors a real boost, and eggplant can be one of the best. This keto recipe uses strong Italian herbs like basil, which makes the marinade really versatile, and eggplant is one of the best for adopting the tastes of the marinade.
Eggplant Fries
– Maria Mind Body Health
Ingredients: eggplants, almond flour, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, eggs, coconut oil spray.
If you like your vegetable fries extra crispy then this is the recipe for you! These fries are not chunky like some, so they keep their crisp coating better, but are even better when reheated in the oven next day. Eggplant, or aubergine if you are in the UK, can be easily found in farmer’s markets or supermarkets and can be quite cheap, so these low carb fries are wallet-friendly too!
Paleo Eggplant Main Dishes
Paleo Eggplant Curry
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: coconut oil, eggplants, white button mushrooms, onion, garlic cloves, ginger, curry powder, coconut milk, salt, ground black pepper, cilantro, flaked almonds.
This is a useful vegetable curry recipe that is perfect as it is, but the recipe can also be easily adapted to suit those of us who are allergic to coconut, as the alternatives are clearly marked. This curry is filling as you are using eggplant and mushrooms, so there really is no need to add any meat, however you can if you want to! This curry would work with shrimp, chicken or beef.
Paleo Eggplant Beef Casserole
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: eggplants, avocado oil, onion, bacon, button mushrooms, ground beef, salt, freshly ground black pepper, tomato sauce, honey, fresh parsley.
Not only does this paleo casserole taste great, but with the spirals of eggplant, it looks impressive enough to grace any dinner table. This is a hearty dish, with the ground beef, mushrooms and bacon, and can be served as it is or with a side of green vegetables. There is a sweetness to the tomato sauce, but this can be adjusted to suit your taste.
Paleo Lasagna with Eggplants (Dairy-Free)
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: ground pork, ground beef, onion, garlic cloves, diced or crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, fresh basil, fresh parsley, fresh oregano, fresh thyme, fennel seeds, eggs, coconut oil, salt, eggplant.
It can be difficult to find a healthy paleo alternative to using traditional pasta, so this recipe would be a great one to try with your family. The eggplants don’t have a strong flavor so they take on the tastes of the meat and fresh herbs and give the dish that well-known layered look of lasagna. If you don’t like eggplants, this dish works well using leeks instead, just slice the leek lengthways and flatten out the individual sheets.
Paleo “Lasagna”
– Paleo Flourish
Ingredients: eggplants, zucchinis, onion, olive oil, garlic cloves, white button mushrooms, ground beef, diced tomatoes, gluten-free tamari sauce or coconut aminos, sesame seeds, spinach, sea salt, pepper, basil leaves.
For this paleo version of traditional lasagna, we are using sliced eggplant instead of the pasta, and the best way to start is to salt the eggplant first, otherwise the dish will be watery. You can use this recipe as is, or try variations – swap the beef for ground turkey, chopped chicken, or make it a vegetarian option with added squash or sweet potatoes.
Keto Eggplant and Beef Casserole
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: eggplants, avocado oil, onion, bacon, white button mushrooms, ground beef, tomato sauce, salt, freshly ground black pepper, parsley, sesame seeds.
Casseroles are comfort food, but they can sometimes contain dairy products and loads of extra carbs. No need to worry with this great keto recipe as you get the comforting food but without the nasties! It is worth taking the time to construct it so that you have the spiral effect as this makes it look as good as it tastes, especially if you are entertaining. Simply garnish with parsley and tuck in!
Easy Keto Vegetable Ratatouille
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: eggplant, zucchinis, bell peppers, tomatoes, onion, fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, fresh thyme leaves, olive oil, salt, pepper.
With the lovely tastes of garlic and thyme, this vegetable dish can be a fantastic Keto side with all sorts of meats, or a main for non-meat eaters. The ratatouille is colorful and full of flavor and can either be cooked on the stovetop or in the oven. This dish is really low in carbs and calories and can be a tasty way to enjoy your daily intake of vegetables.
Keto Eggplant Chicken Enchiladas
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: chicken breasts, eggplant, coconut cream, onion, bell pepper, garlic cloves, tomato sauce, coconut oil, cumin powder, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, pepper.
Although when we are following a specific eating plan, we have to watch the ingredients, there is no need to miss out with healthier alternatives to wraps and pasta. For these tasty keto enchiladas, we are using thin strips of eggplant which hold everything together, but also adopt all the flavors of the dish.
Keto Eggplant and Zucchini “Lasagna”
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: eggplants, zucchinis, onion, olive oil, garlic cloves, white button mushrooms, ground beef, diced tomatoes, gluten-free tamari sauce or coconut aminos, sesame seeds, sea salt, pepper, flat leaf parsley.
If you are following the keto diet for weight loss, this is the meal for you! The calorie count is super-low and the lasagna is low in carbs and dairy free. lasagna can be a great meal if you are on a tight budget as you can add in more mushrooms and onions to make the beef go further – great for big families too. If you prefer, this dish can be made with just zucchini or eggplant instead of both.
Keto Creamy Chicken and Eggplant Casserole
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: coconut oil, chicken breasts, eggplant, garlic cloves, cherry tomatoes, spinach, Italian seasoning, fresh parsley, can of coconut milk, salt, pepper.
In this dairy free creamy casserole, you have keto comfort food, and best of all, an entire dish in one pot! As the cooking time is quite short, this would make a tasty midweek dish, especially on a chilier day when you want something warming and hearty. To make this casserole go further, feel free to add in extra vegetables.
Keto Eggplant Lasagna
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: ground pork, ground beef, onion, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, fresh basil, fresh parsley, fresh oregano, fresh thyme, fennel seeds, garlic cloves, eggs, coconut oil, salt, eggplant.
Here is another helpful recipe for a healthy lasagna that uses eggplant instead of pasta. It uses all the traditional herbs associated with Italian cuisine, like oregano, basil and thyme, and the meat mixture can be used as it is or with added vegetables for an even more filling keto dish that is low carb and full of flavor.
Keto Eggplant Coconut Curry
– Keto Summit
Ingredients: avocado oil, eggplants, white button mushrooms, onion, garlic cloves, fresh ginger, coconut cream (from the top of cans of refrigerated coconut milk), ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, chili powder, salt, freshly ground black pepper, cilantro.
The flavors involved in this amazing vegetarian curry are straight from Indian cuisine and it smells and tastes so authentic that you won’t even miss the meat! The coconut cream gives a wonderfully rich texture to the sauce and a hint of coconut flavor to complement the spices. This meal is also low in carbs and calories, making it ideal for those of you who are eating keto for weight loss.
“Fried” Eggplant Marinara (on a bed of greens)
– Cavegirl Cuisine
Photo Credit: Michelle from Cavegirl Cuisine
Ingredients: eggplant, almond meal/flour, marinara sauce, eggs, lettuce/greens, macadamia nut oil (or preferred oil).
This recipe gives you a lighter alternative to a patty, using coated slices of eggplant to serve with the fresh marinara sauce. You can either enjoy this on some greens, but it also tastes great served over some zucchini noodles, as the marinara sauce is rich with the flavors of Italian cuisine. This recipe is low in carbohydrates and totally paleo.
Other Paleo Eggplant Recipes
Ensaladang Talong – Filipino Eggplant Salad
– Low Carb Yum
Photo Credit: Lisa from Low Carb Yum
Ingredients: eggplant, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper, toasted minced garlic, parsley.
This low carb recipe is based on a traditional salad with the common flavoring of apple cider vinegar and garlic. It is normally served as a side dish and I think it would taste great served with grilled chicken, steak or pork chops. If you are worried about the smell of garlic after you eat this, chew a few fennel seeds and that will get rid of the garlic breath!
Roasted Mushrooms, Zucchini and Eggplant with Rosemary
– Peace, Love and Low Carb
Photo Credit: Kyndra from Peace Love and Low Carb
Ingredients: eggplant, zucchinis, cremini mushrooms, garlic cloves, sprigs fresh rosemary, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, onion, sea salt, ground black pepper.
Here is another great Paleo recipe for a filling and nutritious side that is full of flavor, enhanced by the balsamic vinegar. This vegan dish can be made AIP-friendly by omitting the black pepper, which won’t alter the flavor much. This dish also works well with thyme or tarragon, depending what you are serving the vegetables with, as this goes well with all meats and fish.
Instant Pot Achari Aloo Baingan (Potato and Eggplant in Pickling Spices)
– My Heart Beets
Photo Credit: Ashley from My Heart Beets
Ingredients: eggplants, mustard oil or oil of choice, onion, garlic, ginger, dried mango powder (amchur), fennel powder, coriander powder, garam masala, paprika, roasted cumin powder, salt, turmeric, fenugreek seed powder, black pepper, carom seeds (ajwain), nigella seeds (kalonji), cayenne, potatoes, water, cilantro.
This traditional Indian dish has its roots in the North of India and is a vegetarian meal that can be eaten with breads or cauliflower rice, but can also be used as a side to curries. There is a wide range of spices used here, but they can all be used in other Indian dishes so nothing goes to waste. This low carb dish tastes even better second day!
Baba Ganoush
– Empowered Sustenance
Photo Credit: Empowered Sustenance
Ingredients: eggplants, garlic cloves, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, parsley.
Baba Ganoush is an eggplant-based dish that is commonly found in Arabic countries and has a similar texture to hummus. It is normally served as a dip, but could also be eaten on its own. It is gently spiced and has an earthy note from the cumin, so next time you have friends round or are laying on party food for a celebration, this would give you something new to try!
Eggplant and Wild Mushroom Stuffing
– The Paleo Mom
Photo Credit: Sarah from The Paleo Mom
Ingredients: eggplants, salt, assorted mushrooms, reduced-sodium uncured bacon, yellow onion, celery stalks, fresh parsley, dried (whole leaf) savory, coconut oil, turkey.
When it comes to big, celebration meals like Christmas and Thanksgiving, the sides can be a bit of an unfriendly path for paleo people, so this recipe gives you a wonderful tasty option that everyone can enjoy. You can cook this inside the turkey, or separately in a casserole dish, or even enjoy it on its own!
Instant Pot Baingan Bharta (Mashed Spiced Eggplant)
– My Heart Beets
Photo Credit: Ashley from My Heart Beets
Ingredients: eggplants, oil of choice, cumin seeds, onion, garlic, ginger, coriander powder, salt, garam masala, black pepper, cayenne, paprika, turmeric, tomatoes, water, clantro.
This is another traditional Indian side dish which adds a level of sweetness to curries, or enjoyed along with paleo naan or cauliflower rice. This is a gently seasoned dish that is suitable for children and adults, and can help to give an authentic taste to paleo friendly food.
Baba Ganoush
– Slim Palate
Photo Credit: Josh from Slim Palate
Ingredients: globe eggplants, tahini, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, cumin, red chile powder, fresh parsley, avocado oil.
Baba Ganoush is an eggplant-based dish that is commonly found in Arabic countries and has a similar texture to hummus. It is normally serve as a dip, but could also be eaten on its own. It is gently spiced and has an earthy note from the cumin, so next time you have friends round or are laying on party food for a celebration, this would give you something new to try!
skinnymixer’s Paleo Eggplant Cake
– Skinnymixers
Ingredients: eggplant, raw almonds or almond meal, raw honey, macadamia oil, vanilla essence/extract, cinnamon, eggs, baking soda, baking powder, fresh lemon juice, salt.
This paleo eggplant cake is easy to make, provided you precook the eggplant. It is there to give the cake that richness and moist texture, and it is up to you how you serve it. I like to scatter it with fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sweetener. This cake keeps for a few days in an airtight container.
Chocolate Eggplant Cake
– Mummy Made It
Ingredients: eggplant, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, salt, eggs, cocoa, coconut flour, arrowroot, baking powder.
When you see how this cake turns out, you will be amazed at its richness and the decadent texture, and none of your family or friends will be able to guess that the richness is thanks to the humble eggplant! This chocolate cake is dense, sweet and so delicious, it could even become your go-to healthy celebration cake!
