Eggplant Substitute

What’s the Best Eggplant Substitute? Here Are 8 To Choose From!

Eggplant is one of the most delicious vegetables in the whole world. It’s heavily used in French, Italian, Turkish, and Greek cuisines. It’s also very popular in the kitchens of South East Asia and the Middle East. It’s cooked in a wide range of dishes all over the globe.

Eggplants are available in a wide variety of colors such as purple, white, red, pink, or yellow. They’re known for both their tenderness and sweetness. Yet, their taste is considered to be mild and a little bit bitter. Eggplant pairs well with cheese.

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Plus see our substitute home page which outlines the theory and the “how-to” for food substitution.

How to choose an eggplant substitute

The best way to find out if something tastes like eggplant is to try it. If you don’t know what it tastes like, then it probably won’t taste like it.

If you’re looking to substitute it for another vegetable, here are five to choose from.

Can You Substitute Summer Squash for Eggplant?

Yes, you can summer squash is a slightly milder alternative. Are you making some French ratatouille? Or are you making a casserole? If you’re missing eggplants for either of those dishes, then you should consider replacing it with some summer squash. It can be a good mild option and a great addition to your dish.

Summer squash shares a lot of similarities with eggplant. For example, they’re both a bit sweet and have a thin soft layer on the outside. This is why replacing them with one another won’t make you feel any difference.

Yellow Squash Is a Good Substitute for Eggplant
Yellow Squash Is a Good Substitute for Eggplant

Can You Substitute Zucchini for Eggplant?

Zucchini is a perfect substitute for eggplant especially for stir-fries, teppanyaki, and stews. Zucchini is a type of summer squash that resembles eggplants in terms of texture and taste. They share a similar mild flavor that a lot of people love. They’re also known for their hint of sweetness that’s also present in aubergines.

Zucchini is perfect for making stews, stir-fried meals, and baba ganoush. It tends to add a lot of flavor to whatever dish you’re cooking. Yet, most people don’t like eating it alone or raw. They prefer it to be more tender, which is what it becomes when it’s cooked.

Can You Substitute Tofu for Eggplant?

Tofu is known for being the ultimate vegan and vegetarian favorite. It tastes even milder than eggplants, and some people would say that it’s almost tasteless. But, the good thing about tofu is that it soaks up the flavor of all the other components in your dish.

You can add it to your soup, eat it raw, or mix it with your favorite vegetables. Tofu will probably never disappoint your taste buds. You should definitely try replacing your eggplants with it.

Can You Substitute Mushrooms for Eggplant?

Mushrooms might have the same texture as eggplants, but they certainly don’t have the same flavor. However, they’re still a very good substitute. They’re considered to be a superfood because they enhance brain and bone health. They’re also packed with a lot of vitamins.

Mushrooms can easily replace eggplants in moussaka, pizza, pasta, and eggplant parmesan. They’ll provide the same consistency, but they won’t really provide the same sweet taste.

Can You Substitute Turnips for Eggplant?

Turnips are a great replacement for eggplants when it comes to soups or sauces. Their texture turns softer when they’re cooked, which resembles the texture of eggplants. They deliver the same mild taste you’re expecting to find.

They also share the same sweet-tasting nature as eggplants. Turnips are very rich in flavor and are a wonderful source of vitamins. This is why, like mushrooms, they’re also considered to be a superfood.

Also, compare a Turnip versus a Radish.

Can You Substitute Yellow squash for Eggplant?

Squash has long been used as a vegetable in cuisines across the world, but it’s only recently become popular in North America. The yellow variety is particularly versatile, making it a great choice for stir fries, soups, and casseroles. 

Can You Substitute Rutabagas for Eggplant?

Rutabagas are members with turnips in the Brassicaceae family. Rutabagas are a cross vegetable but can still be used as an alternative for eggplant. This includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, arugula, radicchio, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, rutabaga, and kohlrabi. They grow well in cool weather and are often available year-round.

Can You Substitute Roast Bell Peppers for Eggplant?

Roast Bell Peppers are one of my favorite alternatives for eggplants, they work in stir-fries and Roasting brings out the natural sugars in the pepper, creating a sweeter taste. It also helps soften the skin so it’s easier to peel off.

Are eggplants and aubergines the same?

Eggplants and aubergine are the same vegetables.  They both come from the nightshade family. The main difference between them is the size, or at least according to some locations hence the name difference. For others, they say they are identical.  Eggplants are generally smaller than aubergines, with some varieties reaching around 1kg. Both have thick skin and a fleshy interior.

Eggplant Pizza
Eggplant Pizza

How Do I Cook Egg Plant

It’s a very versatile vegetable that can be cooked in many ways. It’s often used as an ingredient in stews and curries. You can also bake it or grill it.

Other Varieties of Eggplant Are

  • Indian Eggplants
  • Italian Eggplants
  • Chinese Eggplants
  • White Eggplants
  • Japanese Eggplants
  • American Eggplant
  • Bitter Eggplant
  • Globe Eggplant

graffiti eggplant

Thai eggplants