Thai Eggplant Curry Recipe

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This Thai Eggplant Curry Recipe features thai eggplant (or Thai aubergine, depending on where you are from!), as well as peppers, onions, and aromatics like ginger and garlic. This recipe is also naturally gluten free and vegan.

thai eggplant curry plated on a white plate.

Recently I came across these little cuties in the store, and I knew that I had to use them in a recipe! Generally my go to with any new to me vegetable is a stir fry or a curry, and today I went with the later. This Thai eggplant recipe is a little spicy from jalapeno or thai chilies, but feel free to leave that out!

I love how the thai eggplant soaks up all of the delicious flavors of the sauce, just like a sponge.

For another simple curry recipe, try Easy Chickpea and Spinach Curry or Spicy Cauliflower Soup.

What are Thai Eggplants?

Thai eggplants, also called aubergines, are little green orbs, about the size of a golf ball and are either green or yellow depending on their ripeness. These baby eggplants are often darker near the stem and fade to a creamier white color at the other end.

They are slightly bitter in flavor, but otherwise mild and they have a crunchy texture. Their botanical name is Solanum melongena, and they are members of the nightshade family (like a tomato!). They are technically a berry but are most often eaten in savory dishes.

Differing from japanese eggplant and chinese eggplant, these eggplants are not purple or elongated shape. For a traditional eggplant dish, try Olive Gardne Eggplant Parmesan. Here are some great eggplant recipes!

Ingredient Notes

Coconut oil: Use this or another neutral oil that can handle high heat to saute your vegetables.
Thai eggplant: Pick ones free of blemish that are firm and smooth. When preparing trim steams and slice into wedges.
Red curry paste: Curry pastes can vary a lot in taste and heat level- pick your favorite. Red curry is a staple ingredient in Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup and Spicy Cauliflower Soup as well.
Red bell pepper: Any color pepper works, but red adds a nice color.
Coconut milk: Coconut milk makes this curry vegan but makes it deliciously creamy.
Fresh cilantro or thai basil leaves: Add the fresh herbs at the end of the dish so they remain pungent.
Jalapeno: Add a bit of extra heat to make this thai eggplant curry spicy with added jalapeno or thai chili.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1. Dice up all of your veggies into bite sized pieces.

peppers and onions in a skillet with curry paste added.

Step 2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add in onions, garlic and bell peppers. Allow to cook for 3-4 minutes. Add curry paste.

Step 3. Add in your eggplant, salt and minced jalapeno. Stir to coat.

coconut milk poured into stir fried vegetables.

Step 4. Allow to cook for 3-4 more minutes and then pour in the coconut milk.

Step 5. Let the eggplant mixture simmer and stew in the liquid for 10-15 minutes, until they are tender.

Step 6. Top with fresh cilantro or basil and serve over rice.

Recipe Tips

Curries and stir frys cook quickly, it's best to have all of your ingredients laid out and ready to go before you begin.
If you have never cooked with coconut milk before, you may be surprised by it's texture. It separates and solidifies when at room temperature. Once it heats, it immediately becomes liquified and can easily be stirred into the dish.

finished thai eggplant dish on a large plate.

Recipe FAQs

Where can you find Thai eggplants?

They are not as readily available as traditional eggplants, but many Asian markets will stock them. I found them at my local supermarket, but they are a specialty item that comes and goes. Be on the lookout and you may be pleasantly surprised to see them stocked some day!

Can you eat thai eggplant raw?

You certainly can! This is something that sets them apart than other eggplant varieties, in that they can be eaten as crudite or raw in salads. They are really tender and easy to eat. Aside from preparing in curry and spicy basil dishes, they are actually most commonly eaten raw. Simply slice them up and serve them with your favorite dip.

Can you eat thai eggplant seeds?

Yes, you can. Thai eggplant have a lot of seeds in them and it can be difficult to remove them while still retaining the meat. When the fruit is less mature, the seeds are lighter in color and more tender. The more ripe the fruit (it tends to turn yellow on the outside as it ripens) the harder and less palatable the seeds. They also become darker in color and turn brown. You can remove them in you would like, but cooking them should be enough for most people to enjoy.

Do you have to peel this eggplant?

Not at all! The skin of thai eggplant is soft and thin. There is no need to peel.

Looking for more delicious Thai dishes?

If you tried this Thai Eggplant Curry Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below, I really appreciate it!

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