Eggplant Spread Recipe (2024)

This eggplant spread is one that can make practicallyanyone fall in love with eggplant! This creamy, roasted dip can be enjoyed in so many ways—it’s truly a versatile, healthy dish.

If you are ready to enjoy even more eggplant, you will also love Ikra, my eggplant caviar spread. Plus, you’ve got to taste this grilled eggplant made in a sweet chili garlic sauce!

Eggplant Spread Recipe (1)

Eggplant Spread Recipe

Let’s be honest: eggplant is definitely not a vegetable that many people call a favorite. A lot of people think they don’t like the vegetable, just because they have either never tried it, or they never tried it in this particular eggplant spread recipe.

The good news is, this eggplant spread recipe that will convert practically anyone to an eggplant lover! I have not had one person try it and say that they don’t like it, on the contrary, people who thought they hated eggplant were seriously surprised that it tasted this good.

The “secret” to making an eggplant taste fantastic is to remove the bitter flavor. This is easily done by draining out the excess liquid after the vegetable is roasted and peeled. I find it easiest to place the eggplant in a colander, then adding a plate on top. Next, place something heavy on top of the plate so that there is a weight pressing down on the eggplant. Leave it to drain for about an hour. Trust me, this will make a HUGE difference!

Eggplant Spread Recipe (2)

Make-Ahead Roasted Eggplant Spread

I like this roasted eggplant spread so much that I actually can/preserve peeled roasted eggplants when they are in season. This way, anytime I want this spread, I just open the jar, add some sautéed onions and I’ve got myself an appetizer.

This comes really handy when you have unexpected visitors. You can also pass this around at the party, while you’re finishing up on your dinner preparations.

How to Make Eggplant Spread

For detailed recipe instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Roast the eggplant, turning it halfway so both sides are evenly cooked.
  • Peel the eggplant. To make this easy, place the roasted eggplant in a bowl. Then, cover with saran wrap and a layer of aluminum foil.
  • Press the eggplant and drain out the extra liquid to remove any bitter flavor. After, chop the eggplant.
  • Meanwhile, sautee onions, then add the onions along with the rest of the ingredients to the eggplant.
  • Serve and enjoy!

How to Serve this Dish

This dish is highly versatile and you will find many pairings that work well with it. A few of my favorites include roasted peppers, feta cheese, bacon bits, or sliced eggs. Sliced tomatoes also work well when they are in season.

I enjoy this spread best when it is spread over a freshly baked baguette. However you eat it, you’ll be sure to love this veggie dish!

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe with precise ingredient amounts.

Check out these other great Appetizer recipes:

Eggplant Spread

Eggplant Spread Recipe (3)

Thiseggplant spreadis one that can make practicallyanyonefall in love with eggplant! This creamy, roasted dip can be enjoyed in so many ways—it's truly a versatile, healthy dish.

Author: Marina | Let the Baking Begin

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian

Keyword: eggplant spread

Calories: 88 kcal

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1large eggplant
  • 1large onionpeeled, cubed
  • 2tbspmayonnaise
  • 1garlic cloveminced (or powdered garlic)
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions

  1. Place the eggplant into a roasting pan lined with foil and bake it at 350F for an hour, turning it over so that each side is baked throughout (at the end of the oven, it should be pretty soft when pressed).

  2. Put the eggplant in a bowl and cover with plastic and then foil. This will help with peeling the eggplant.

  3. Peel the eggplant, removing the stem and the outer skin.

  4. Place it in a colander, put a plate on top, then some kind of weight on top of the plate, letting the liquid drain (the liquid contains the bitterness) for about an hour.

  5. Meanwhile, sauté the onion in some olive oil, over medium heat until golden.

  6. After the liquid has been drained, finely chop the eggplant and place it in a bowl.

  7. Add browned onions, leaving out the oil; minced/powdered garlic, mayo, salt, pepper and mix together.

  8. Serve on a fresh sliced baguette, sprinkled with some feta cheese/bacon bits/sliced egg and sliced tomatoes as an appetizer.

  9. Will keep in the fridge tightly covered for up to 3 days.

Recipe Notes

For healthier version of this spread, substituting mayo for olive oil.

Nutrition Facts

Eggplant Spread

Amount Per Serving

Calories 88Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 3mg1%

Sodium 47mg2%

Potassium 302mg9%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 25IU1%

Vitamin C 4.8mg6%

Calcium 17mg2%

Iron 0.3mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Eggplant Spread Recipe (4)

Thank you for following me on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest!

Hashtag your photos #LetTheBakingBeginBlog so I can see your creations and for a chance to be featured!

Eggplant Spread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What dip is made from roasted eggplant? ›

Classic baba ganoush is made by roasting eggplants until soft, scooping out the insides, and mashing with tahini, garlic, and spices. Served with pita or cracker, this eggplant dip is a great snack or party appetizer.

What is baba ganoush made of? ›

Baba ganoush is a Mediterranean eggplant dip made from roasted or grilled eggplant, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Like hummus, it's delicious with pita or fresh veggies, but its silky texture and irresistible smoky flavor set it apart.

Is baba ganoush high in carbs? ›

Eggplant dip (Baba Ghanoush) (2 tablespoon) contains 3.4g total carbs, 2.2g net carbs, 4g fat, 1.2g protein, and 50 calories.

What is the secret to cooking eggplant? ›

Eggplants are known to absorb a lot of fat while cooking. A useful tip to prevent sogginess and greasiness is to salt sliced or diced eggplant and let it sit for an hour. This helps to draw out moisture. Next, rinse and drain any liquid from the sliced eggplant, then pat dry before cooking.

What happens if you don't salt eggplant before cooking? ›

It helps draw out moisture from the eggplant. You don't have to salt eggplant though, it depends on the texture your looking for. Salting gives it a more creamy texture when cooked and not salting helps the eggplant hold up and be a little firmer after cooked.

How do you eat Trader Joe's eggplant spread? ›

Based on a traditional Bulgarian recipe (and made in Bulgaria to boot), our Eggplant Garlic Spread is stellar on sandwiches, toast, crackers, and crostini, to be sure. But it also makes for a mighty flavorful addition to a traditional ratatouille—particularly when said ratatouille is paired with penne pasta…

Why is my eggplant dip bitter? ›

Undercooked eggplant is often bitter, especially if you're using a thick-skinned globe eggplant commonly found at most grocery stores. Peel the skin or taste and cook the eggplant for a little longer if that's the case.

How do you get the most flavor out of eggplant? ›

Salting: One common method is salting the eggplant slices or cubes before cooking. This process helps draw out the bitter compounds and excess moisture. Here's how to do it:Slice or cube the eggplant as desired. Sprinkle salt over the eggplant pieces and let them sit for about 30 minutes.

Which is more fattening hummus or baba ganoush? ›

Both have 0% cholesterol and are high in fiber and protein content. Nonetheless, hummus has higher calorie content than baba ganoush, and baba ganoush contains vitamins B and E, which are nonexistent in hummus.

Which is healthier hummus or baba ganoush? ›

3) Health – Both dishes are very healthy, but baba ganoush has a slight edge here with more vitamins from the eggplant and a lower calorie count. 4) Big meal to come – Get baba ganoush, it's less filling than hummus.

What can I do with too much eggplant? ›

Aubergenius ways to use up the eggplant in your fridge
  1. Eggplant mesa'a'ah (Egyptian spiced eggplant) ...
  2. Ottolenghi's aubergine dumplings alla parmigiana. ...
  3. Eggplant papoutsakia (stuffed eggplant) ...
  4. Melanzane alla parmigiana (eggplant parmigiana) ...
  5. Sicilian eggplant rolls. ...
  6. Slow-roasted butter eggplant curry.

What does Baba mean in baba ganoush? ›

Etymology. The word bābā in Arabic means 'father' and is also a term of endearment, while ġannūj could be a personal name. The word combination is also interpreted as "father of coquetry" or "indulged/pampered/flirtatious daddy" or "spoiled old daddy".

Why is baba ganoush so good? ›

Central to Baba Ganoush is the eggplant, charred to perfection to imbue the dip with its characteristic smoky flavor. Combined with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs, the result is a richly layered dip that's both complex and comforting.

Is baba ganoush healthy or unhealthy? ›

Yes, baba ganoush is healthy. The main ingredient is eggplant, which is low in calories and carbohydrates and high in fiber. It's also a good source of vitamins and minerals like potassium and vitamin K. It's also lower in calories than hummus since it's mostly made of eggplant versus chickpeas.

How long should eggplant be soaked for? ›

Submerge the pieces in the salted water. Use an upside-down plate or pot lid to weigh down the eggplant so it is fully submerged in the water. Let the eggplant sit in the brine for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour. Drain the eggplant and pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or layers of paper towels.

Should eggplant be soaked in water? ›

Brining (soaking in salted water) will do the same job but also make the flesh super creamy. To brine, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt in 1 cup of boiling water, stir in 1 litre of cold water, and drop in the sliced eggplant. Place a saucepan lid on top to keep it submerged, leave for 1 hour, then drain and pat dry.

Should you soak eggplant in milk or salt water? ›

Soak it in milk.

Soak eggplant slices or cubes in milk for about 30 minutes before cooking. The milk not only tempers the bitterness, but it actually makes for eggplant that is extra creamy, since the vegetable acts like a sponge and soaks up a good amount of milk in its flesh.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Last Updated:

Views: 5986

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Fr. Dewey Fisher

Birthday: 1993-03-26

Address: 917 Hyun Views, Rogahnmouth, KY 91013-8827

Phone: +5938540192553

Job: Administration Developer

Hobby: Embroidery, Horseback riding, Juggling, Urban exploration, Skiing, Cycling, Handball

Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.