5.0 from 129 votes
Perfect Sautéed Eggplant [+ Maple Soy Glaze]
This Sautéed Eggplant is tender in the middle, slightly 'meaty', crisp/caramelized on the outside, is easy to prepare, ready in 20 minutes, and a versatile vegan side dish – made even more delicious with a simple maple soy glaze!
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
19 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 88 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of agave or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons of water
- 1 eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes (not peeled)
- 3 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- 3 prings green onions, thinly sliced
- Crushed red pepper for garnish, optional
- sesame seeds for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, agave or maple syrup, and water.
- In a large pan with a lid, over medium-high heat, add the oil.
- Carefully add the cubed eggplant to the pan and cook for 2 minutes each side or until golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until the garlic is nice and brown, but not burned.
- Turn off the heat, add the sauce, black pepper, mix well and cover with a lid. Let it sit covered for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Garnish with green onions, and optional crushed red pepper, or sesame seeds.
- Serve hot.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Cut even-sized pieces: This will ensure they cook at an even rate.
- Use fairly high heat: Just like deep-frying, hot heat will stop the eggplant from overly absorbing oil (since it’s like a sponge!). Instead, you’ll end up with delicious, caramelized eggplant morsels that crisp on the outside while tender in the middle. Delicious!
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Otherwise, the eggplant will steam and not crisp up (which is lackluster at best!). Cook in batches if needed.
- Don’t move the eggplant too much: You want to make pan-seared eggplant rather than moving it around. Only touch it when flipping. This is crucial to achieving a wonderful golden brown crust.
Nutrition Information
Calories
88kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
12g
(4%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
0.5g
(3%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
Sodium
506mg
(21%)
Potassium
297mg
(8%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
35IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
22mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 88
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 88kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g | 3% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Sodium | 506mg | 21% |
| Potassium | 297mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 35IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 22mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.