This sautéed eggplant recipe is a tasty and healthy side dish to accompany your next meal! Sliced into rounds and seasoned with garlic powder and onion powder, this eggplant is sure to impress. And the best part? It's topped with crumbled feta cheese and fresh basil, making it a flavorful side dish or light main course.
About the Recipe
This sautéed eggplant is a great addition to a summer barbecue, a weeknight dinner, or a potluck party. It's also a great dish to make ahead of time and serve cold as a salad. With its delicious combination of garlic and onion powder, tangy feta cheese, and fresh basil, this dish is sure to please any palate.
We love eggplant for it's soft texture, mild flavor, and versatility. You can cook eggplant in so many different ways. Once you start making it, it will become one of your favorite vegetables!
If you are looking for more side dish recipes, check out our: Easy Cheesy Au Gratin Hasselback Potatoes, Colcannon or Peach Caprese Salad.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Healthy and Delicious - This recipe is a flavorful and nutritious dish that is perfect for anyone looking for a healthy meal option.
Versatile - Sautéed eggplant can be served as a side dish or used as a filling for sandwiches and wraps for a simple lunch. It can be served warm or cold and you can also choose if you would like it cut - sliced into round or strips or cut into chunks.
Easy - This recipe is quick and easy to prepare with simple ingredients, making it a great option for busy weeknights when you want a healthy and satisfying meal without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Here are the fresh ingredients you will need for this sautéed eggplant recipe:
- Fresh Eggplant: I used regular eggplant in this recipe, but you could use Chinese eggplant or Japanese eggplant. I like to pat the eggplant dry with a paper towel to remove excess liquid before cooking.
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Feta
- Basil: Use fresh basil leaves for a garnish. You could also use other fresh herbs like thyme or oregano.
Directions
Let's make this easy eggplant recipe together!
Step 1: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and eggplant slices. Mix well until the eggplant is coated.
Step 3: Add half of the eggplant to the hot pan in a single layer. Sauté for 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown. Repeat with the remaining eggplant, adding more olive oil to the pan if needed.
Step 4: Place the sautéed eggplant in a large bowl or on a serving platter.
Step 5: Top with crumbled feta, a drizzle of olive oil and fresh basil. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this perfect side dish:
Non-stick pan: Use a non-stick pan to prevent the eggplant from sticking and burning.
Don't overcrowd the pan: This can cause the eggplant to steam rather than sauté, resulting in a mushy texture.
Leave it alone: Let the eggplant cook undisturbed for a few minutes to allow it to develop a nice sear and avoid breaking it apart while flipping.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this sauteed eggplant recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
NonStick Pan - A good non-stick pan will not only last, but it will make cooking a breeze!
Serving Tray - This set of serving trays is perfect for a variety of different dishes.
Serving Spoons - I get compliments on my gold serving spoons every time I use them. This set is super similar to the ones in the photos!
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this eggplant side dish.
Eggplant: Feel free to cut the eggplant in whatever shape you prefer. You can slice it into rounds, strips or cut into chunks.
Spices: Instead of using garlic powder and onion powder, you could use fresh garlic and chopped onion for a more pungent flavor. For a little heat, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
Cheese: If you don't have feta cheese, you could use goat cheese, ricotta cheese, or grated Parmesan cheese instead.
Additions: You could serve this dish with sautéed cherry tomatoes or bell peppers and a splash of balsamic vinegar.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this versatile side dish recipe:
Air Fryer Eggplant - This healthy recipe for easy air fryer eggplant is quick and perfect for meal prep!
Burrata Salad - This simple and very delicious Burrata Salad is a combination of crispy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and creamy burrata cheese. Topped with a tangy vinaigrette dressing, it is a refreshing and satisfying salad that is perfect as a meal or a side dish to your main course.
Pan Seared Scallops - These easy to make pan seared scallops with a beautiful golden brown sear will be your new favorite go-to seafood dish. They are simply seasoned with salt and pepper and get a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
Herby Artichoke Pasta - You'll love this delicious Herby Artichoke Pasta! With a light cream sauce, fragrant herbs, and Reese Artichokes, this pasta is a hit for weeknight dinners or great for holiday entertaining!
Frequently Asked Questions
Be sure to pick an eggplant with shiny skin that is firm but not hard. When you press on it with your fingers, you want it to give a bit but not too much.
Yes. Feel free to substitute the feta for a different cheese. Some great options would be goat cheese or parmesan cheese.
A large skillet or sauté pan is going to work best. Using a non-stick pan will help ensure an easy clean up!
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for leftover eggplant.
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight sealed container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
Reheating: You can reheat this in the air fryer, in the microwave or with a little olive oil in a frying pan.
Other Recipes to Try
Sautéed Eggplant
Ingredients
- 1 eggplant sliced into rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons feta for serving
- Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for serving
- Fresh basil for serving
Instructions
- Heat a pan over medium heat.
- Combine olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and eggplant in a large bowl. Mix well, until all the eggplant rounds are coated.
- Add half of the eggplant to the skillet. Sauté 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown. Repeat with remaining eggplant, adding more olive oil to the skillet as needed.
- Place sautéed eggplant in a large bowl or serving platter. Top with crumbed feta, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh basil and serve.
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