spicy eggplant

This spicy eggplant stir fry is an easy, flavorful side dish that is great for dinner. Feel free to adjust the amount of spice specified below to suit your taste. You can usually find doubanjiang in large Asian supermarkets or Chinese grocers. For pan-frying directions, see notes.

Spicy Eggplant Stir Fry

eggplant

canola oil (or any neutral oil)

water

cornstarch

garlic

ginger

doubanjiang ((see note 2))

Sichuan peppercorn (ground (optional, see note 3))

red chili

sugar ((see note 4))

salt

scallions

sesame seeds

Slice the eggplant into 2.5 to 3-inch sections. Then, slice each section into batons (or strips) that are about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. You don’t need to salt the eggplant for this recipe (see note 5 for more info). Set the eggplant aside.

Add 3/4 cup of oil to a wok and heat it over medium-high heat. (See note 5) Once the temperature reaches about 375ºF, it is ready for frying. You can test the temperature with a thermometer or by taking a small piece of eggplant and adding it to the wok. If the oil around the eggplant bubbles rapidly, the oil is ready for frying. 

Working in batches, add a large handful of eggplant batons to the wok. Flash fry for about 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, flipping the batons halfway. Using tongs, transfer the eggplants into a spider spatula. Give the spider spatula a gentle shake to shake off any excess oil from the eggplant. Then, transfer the flash-fried eggplant to a plate and flash fry another batch of eggplant batons. 

Eggplant absorbs oil like a sponge. After about 2 or 3 batches of frying, you’ll notice that there’s less oil in the wok. As a result, you’ll want to fry in smaller batches for the remaining eggplant. You can also add more oil to the wok. 

Once all the eggplant has been flash fried, turn off the heat. Pour some of the excess oil into a heat-safe bowl, leaving about 2 tablespoons of oil in the wok. (See note 7)

In a small bowl, make the cornstarch slurry by whisking 1/2 cup water with 1/4 teaspoon of cornstarch. This slurry will thicken the sauce later. 

Heat the wok over medium-high heat again. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant. Next, add the doubanjiang and swirl the paste into the hot oil. Cook for another 30 seconds. Then, add the ground Sichuan peppercorn (if using), red chili flakes, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine.

Whisk the cornstarch slurry again before pouring it into the wok. Bring the liquid to a rapid boil and let the sauce simmer for 30 seconds to a minute to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. 

Add all the flash-fried eggplant back into the wok and stir to combine with the sauce. Turn off the heat and transfer the eggplant to a serving plate. Garnish the spicy eggplant with sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve the spicy eggplant stir fry with jasmine rice.

You need to make this 20 minute Chinese eggplant with garlic! The soft eggplant (not mushy) soaks up the umami sauce balanced by a hint of sweetness from the oyster sauce.

Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce

neutral oil

Chinese eggplants (sliced)

chili oil

garlic (minced)

sugar

soy sauce

oyster sauce oyster sauce too)

green onions (sliced)

Thai chili, sliced (optional)

sesame seeds (sliced)

Mince garlic.

Peel the skin off of the Chinese eggplants leaving spaces in between. This helps maintain the shape of the eggplant and ensures that this dish is not too mushy.

Slice eggplant in 2 inch pieces.

Make sauce by mixing cornstarch, water, sugar, soy sauce and oyster sauce. Set aside.

Heat pan with oil on medium heat. When the pan is hot, add your eggplant and grill on sides until golden brown (takes 3-4 minutes).

Add some more oil in the pan. Then, add your minced garlic and chili oil. Mix everything together for 1 minute.

Then, add your sauce you made earlier (step 3) into the pan. Cook for 3 or more minutes, the eggplant should soften. If you like it softer, cook it longer.

Garnish with sliced green onions, thai chilis (optional), and sesame seeds. Serve with white rice!

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Spicy Eggplant Stir Fry

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Top 2 spicy eggplant recipes from across the web

The most viewed spicy eggplant recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Spicy Eggplant Stir Fry

Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce

The most viewed spicy eggplant recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine