Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Thai Eggplant Recipe (2024)

Posted Recipes

Looking for the best homemade Thai Eggplant recipe?

Thai Basil Eggplant is one of our favourite easy stir fry recipes to cook at home when craving a tasty vacation to Thailand.

This quick & easy Thai Eggplant recipe features common ingredients you’ll find in your pantry and is ready to serve in under an hour.

You’ll love cooking our flavourful Thai Eggplant recipe featuring cornstarch, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, Maggi sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, Thai basil leaves, That red chili and scallion.

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Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Thai Eggplant Recipe (1)

Travel to Thailand by Cooking Thai Basil Eggplant at Home

I love traveling to Asia.

My first visit had me living inSouth Koreafor a year as a teacher and it’s where I was first introduced tofermented vegetableslikekimchi.

After my contract ended in Seoul I travelled throughout southeastAsiafor 6 months, visiting India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Macau and the Maldives.

On my first visit I spent over a month backpacking through Thailand. I’ve revisited Thailand two times since as a food and travel journalist and always love to discover new regional dishes. Over the years I’ve explored Thai destinations such as Ko Phi Phi, Krabi, Chiang Khong, Chang Mai, Sukothai and Bangkok.

What I found most fascinating is Thailand’s distinct regional food cultures. Much like the regional cuisines found in Germany,ItalyorSpain, each town in Thailand had its own local speciality.

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Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Thai Eggplant Recipe (2)

Where To Eat A Traditional Thai Eggplant Recipe

If you live in a large city inCanadaorAmericayou’ll likely have access to a local Thai restaurant that serves traditional Thai Basil Eggplant Stir Fry.

Haven’t traveled to Thailand before? It may be helpful to first sample authentic eggplant stir fry at a local Thai restaurant to better understand how the dish is served. You can also assess the ideal texture of the eggplant, sauce to eggplant ratio and spiciness level.

I spent months researching the best Thai restaurants in Toronto, visiting popular restaurants that serve authentic Thai dishes such as Sabai Sabai, Sukothai, Khao San Road, Pai, Kiin, Bangkok Garden, Mengrai Thai and Favorites Thai BBQ. If you’re looking to feast on a yummy Thai eggplant recipe in Toronto try visiting one of these award-winning restaurants for inspiration.

Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Thai Eggplant Recipe (3)

My Family Loves Thai Basil Eggplant Stir Fry

I love cooking Thai food for my family!

I knew my family would love this healthy Thai side dish as we’re always looking for creative ways to get more vegetables into our diet.

Important to note that this meatless stir fry is not vegan or vegetarian as the sauce is prepared with fish sauce and oyster sauce.

If you’re hosting friends or family for a dinner party this Thai Eggplant recipe is an excellent vegetable side dish to be served alongside rice, noodles and curry.

We love enjoying Thai Basil Eggplant leftovers as a healthy lunch simply served with steamed jasmine rice.

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Health Benefits

Our homemade Thai eggplant recipe is packed full of healthy ingredients!

Eggplants are a nutrient dense food that contain a good amount of vitamins, minerals and fibre in few calories. It’s a good source of manganese, folate, potassium, vitamin K and C.

A useful source of copper, calcium, manganese, and phosphorus, sesame seeds help support circulatory, digestive and skeletal health.

It is only recently that scientists have begun to identify the components responsible for garlic’s myriad health benefits. Rich in phytochemicals and potassium, garlic helps boost your immune system, fight cancer and protect your heart.

Ginger contains at least 14 phytochemicals, many of which have impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has a good source of copper, which supports your bones, blood and nervous system.

The eugenol in basil can block calcium channels, which may help to lower blood pressure. The essential oils in the herb can help to lower your cholesterol and triglycerides. Basil also contains magnesium, which can help to improve blood flow by allowing muscles and blood vessels to relax.

Scallions are a humble vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Regular consumption of onions can help boost digestive health and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

Chili has been proven to help reduce the duration of sickness, prevent heart disease, and promote weight loss.

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Cooking Tips

This easy Stir-Fried Thai Eggplant recipe is quick and easy to make at home.

  • We have used long and slender Japanese eggplants in this dish. When sliced they are the perfect size to pick up with chopsticks. You can also prepare the recipe with Thai eggplants if you can find them at your local Asian supermarket. They are the world’s smallest eggplant variety and typically served in Thai Green Curry.
  • We suggest using a large wok to stir fry Thai Basil Eggplant.
  • We’ve used a Thai red chili in this recipe to give it a little heat. If you can’t handle spicy food feel free to remove the chili seeds or omit the ingredient entirely.
  • We suggest doubling the recipe so you can enjoy leftovers later in week. The dish keeps in the fridge for 4-5 days in an airtight container.
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What To Serve with Thai Basil Eggplant

We love serving this homemade Thai eggplant recipe simply with steamed rice or noodles.

If you’re hosting a large dinner party or Thai-inspired potluck you might want to serve our Thai Basil Eggplant Stir Fry with other dishes from Thailand like Thai Pork Rib Soup with Vermicelli, Egg Tofu Soup with Pork Meatballs, Grabong Northern Thai Pumpkin Fritters, Gai Pad Med Mamuang Thai Cashew Chicken, Gaeng Masaman Beef Curry, Nam Tok Authentic Thai “Waterfall Beef” Salad, Gaeng Keow Wan Thai Green Curry Chicken, , Chiang Mai Noodles “Khao Soi”, Pad Kra Pao Thai Basil Stir-Fry and Thai Beef and Pumpkin Curry.

After dinner why not dazzle your guests with one of our popular desserts such as Oat Flour Cookies with Chocolate Chips, Dark Chocolate Lindt Lindor Cookies, Maraschino Cherry Cupcakes Recipe or Cinnamon Babka.

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  • Filipino Spicy Coconut Chicken Wing Stew
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Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Thai Eggplant Recipe (8)

How To Make The Best Thai Eggplant Recipe

Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Thai Eggplant Recipe (9)

Print Recipe

3.58 from 26 votes

Basil Garlic Stir-Fry Thai Eggplant Recipe

How to make a traditional Thai eggplant recipe. Our easy healthy Thai Basil Eggplant stir fry is the best side dish for curry and rice.

Prep Time45 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time55 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Thai

Keyword: Thai Eggplant Recipe

Servings: 6

Calories: 118kcal

Equipment

  • Wok

  • Spatula or Wooden Spoon

  • French knife

  • baking sheet

  • measuring spoons

  • measuring cups

Ingredients

  • 2 lb Chinese or Japanese Eggplant
  • Kosher Salt
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
  • 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
  • 10 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 2 tsp Fresh Ginger grated
  • 1 tsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tsp Maggi Sauce
  • 1 tsp Oyster Sauce
  • 1 tsp Fish Sauce
  • 1 cup Thai Basil Leaves
  • 1 Thai red chili sliced
  • 1 Scallion sliced

Instructions

  • Slice Japanese eggplant on the diagonal 3/4 to 1 inch thick, larger pieces cut in half lengthwise.

  • Put the eggplant in a colander in the sink or over a bowl, toss with approximately tablespoon of salt, and set aside to drain for about 45 minutes. Rinse the eggplant thoroughly, pat dry, and transfer to a large bowl.

  • Sprinkle the cornstarch over the eggplant and toss to coat. Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add just enough eggplant to create a single layer so that no slices overlap. Cook, flipping once, until the eggplant is golden and a bit charred in places, 2-1/2 to 3 minutes total. Transfer the eggplant to a paper-towel-lined rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining eggplant, adding more oil to the pan as needed.

  • Wipe the pan clean, then add the sesame oil over low heat. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Return the eggplant to the pan.

  • Add the Thai basil leaves, red chili, soy sauce, Maggi sauce, oyster sauce and fish sauce then toss to combine, about 1 minute.

  • Serve topped with the sliced scallion.

Nutrition

Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 13.3g | Protein: 2.3g | Fat: 7.2g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 422mg | Fiber: 5.8g | Sugar: 5.1g | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

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Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Thai Eggplant Recipe (10)
Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Thai Eggplant Recipe (11)
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Stir-Fried Garlic Basil Thai Eggplant Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is Thai eggplant good for you? ›

The Health Benefits of Thai Eggplant

It is low in calories and contains essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B1, B6, and C, potassium, and dietary fiber. The vegetable is also packed with antioxidants, which help protect the body against oxidative stress and chronic diseases.

How do you know when a Thai eggplant is ripe? ›

These Eggplants are ready to harvest once they reach 1.5-2 inches in diameter. The skin should still be glossy, as dull skin indicates overripe fruit.

What does Thai eggplant taste like? ›

Description/Taste

The vivid green hues begin at the fruit's stem and then fade to a creamy white in a striping pattern. The inner flesh is pale green to white and contains many small, brown, edible seeds. Thai eggplants are crunchy and mild with a slightly bitter taste.

How long does Thai eggplant last? ›

Thai eggplants should last for 5 to 7 days in the fridge. But, ideally you should eat them as soon as possible for the best flavor and least amount of bitterness.

What organ is eggplant good for? ›

Eggplants come with antioxidants and other possible benefits related to heart and brain health. They are also a low-carb option with fiber. There are risks of eating eggplants, like potential allergic reactions, kidney stone formation, and increased inflammation.

Can too much eggplant be bad for you? ›

Solanine is a natural toxin present in eggplants. Excess intake may cause vomiting, nausea and drowsiness which are all symptoms of solanine poisoning. Every edible that we consume has both benefits and side effects. Therefore, moderation in consuming anything is important.

How do you know when eggplant is cooked enough? ›

When it's cooked, “it should turn fully tender, all the flesh should be somewhat custardy. If you have to, hammer it a bit, knock it around, let it start to collapse.” When you're roasting eggplant, like in YuChen's recipe, “make sure you give them enough space so they can cook evenly,” she says.

Is it okay to eat eggplant that is brown inside? ›

Answer. Eggplant flesh will have tan to brown colored spots around the seeds. If this is the color you are referring to, it is edible. If the flesh is more brown than white, the eggplant may be spoiling and should be discarded.

How to care for Thai eggplant? ›

Water regularly and consistently to maintain moisture for the Thai Purple Ball to thrive. Water deeply once or twice a week, depending on the daily weather and soil conditions. Fertilise regularly as Thai Purple Ball is a heavy feeder and requires regular fertilisation to produce a healthy crop.

What is the difference between eggplant and Thai eggplant? ›

Thai Eggplant

These small eggplant orbs common in Thailand aren't always green—they come in purple and white, too—but they definitely have a tendency to be more bitter than other types of eggplants. To minimize this, be sure to remove their seeds before cooking.

How do you make Thai eggplant less bitter? ›

Cut off the stem and nearby areas before cooking. The stem and area near the stem tend to be where bitter compounds collect. Slice or chop the eggplant and sprinkle the pieces with salt. Allow them to sit for about 30 minutes, then pat dry before cooking.

What is the tastiest eggplant? ›

One of the most popular was the long, thin, purple eggplant from Taiwan known as Ping Tung. This is an exceptional eggplant with sweet, pleasant tasting flesh. The plants are incredibly prolific and produce throughout the entire season.

When not to use eggplant? ›

Bad eggplant looks wrinkly and dull-colored. Squishy texture and a rotten odor are other common signs of bad eggplant. Fresh eggplant lasts 2-3 days at room temperature, 5 days in the refrigerator, and 8-12 months in the freezer. Eggplant that turns brown after you slice it is okay to eat.

Why is it called Thai eggplant? ›

By its name, one would assume this eggplant variety hails from Thailand. However, it grows wild and commercially in India and traveled across Asia, eventually making its way to the US through trade routes.

Can I eat eggplant that is green inside? ›

With eggplants, however, color and gloss aren't everything. Ripe eggplants should be firm but not hard. Flesh should be white with a slight green tint (orange eggplants ripen orange/green inside). If you are unsure of your eggplant's ripeness, cut one crosswise and check the seeds.

What are the benefits of Thai round eggplant? ›

Eggplants are a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, thiamine, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium, and manganese. They also contain almost no cholesterol or saturated fat.

Is Thai eggplant the same as regular eggplant? ›

Thai Eggplant

This small, round variety has a green and white exterior and a pale pink flesh, although they can also be purple. They're more bitter than other varieties, so if you'd like to avoid that, completely remove the seeds.

Is Thai eggplant a nightshade? ›

Thai eggplants, are members of the nightshade family, along with potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. Also known as Round eggplant, Makua pot, and Ma keua praw, Thai eggplant varieties are known for containing some of the smallest cultivated eggplant. Thai eggplants are usually round, sometimes elongated.

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