5.0 from 33 votes
How to Salt Eggplant
The secret to delicious, quickly-cooking eggplant is just one basic ingredient and a little time. Here’s how to salt eggplant before cooking to draw out moisture and condense its flavor.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 38 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds eggplant sliced or cubed, peeled if desired (about 12 cups)
- 1 tablespoon salt kosher or table salt
Instructions
- Add the eggplant to a colander and sprinkle with salt. Toss well to coat, then let sit to drain for at least 40 minutes. If salting the eggplant more than 1 hour, transfer the colander to the refrigerator.
- Rinse the eggplant well, then spread on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Press down hard with a second kitchen towel to push out any excess liquid, as if you were pushing down on and squeezing a sponge.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Buying: Look for an eggplant that has firm skin and has a substantial heft in your hand. Heavier fruit is a sign that the eggplant is fresh and hydrated. Avoid eggplant with any soft spots, discoloration, or wrinkling.
- Storing: Store unwashed, uncut eggplant at room temperature for up to 2 days (keep it away from other fruits and vegetables). For longer storage, wrap in a paper towel, place in a container, and store in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Peeling: If the recipe calls for it, or if you want to, peel the eggplant before cutting.
- Salting: Salting removes excess liquid and some of the bitterness. Today’s eggplants are bred for mildness, though, so it’s not as important as it used to be (if you are frying eggplant, salting will ensure a creamy texture and rich flavor). This method works for eggplant slices, cubes, or planks.
- Yield: 1 pound eggplant = 6 cups cubed, raw (3 cups cooked). Serving size is about 2 cups raw, 1 cup cooked.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1cup
Calories
38kcal
(2%)
Carbohydrates
9g
(3%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
1166mg
(49%)
Potassium
346mg
(10%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
35IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
14mg
(1%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 38
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 38kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 1166mg | 49% |
| Potassium | 346mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 35IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 14mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.