FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Chinese Eggplant Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Cook Chinese Eggplant
• My Stir Fry Tips
• Storage & Meal Prep
• Serving Ideas
• My Favorite Skillet For This Recipe
• Chinese Eggplant Stir Fry Recipe card
• Gratitude Moment
• Recipe Reviews

This is the latest of my eggplant adventures this summer. I love this vegetable and have cooked it in so many ways, but this dish was my first time creating a Chinese eggplant recipe. When I spotted this veggie at the store, it was meant to be. It’s got lot of the same flavors I love in my other Asian-inspired stir fries (like chicken stir fry and vegetable stir fry ), but the eggplant has it standing out from the others. Make this eggplant stir fry with me for something new and different!

Why You Need My Chinese Eggplant Recipe

• Sweet and savory flavor – I absolutely loved the sweeter, more delicate flavor of the Chinese eggplant compared to American varieties. And my garlic sauce made with coconut aminos, ginger, and a touch of honey (I use my sugar-free honey , of course) is the perfect balance of sweetness and umami.
• Variety of veggies – Many Chinese eggplant recipes cook the vegetable by itself, but I also add bell peppers and onions.
• Simple, natural ingredients – Aside from the Asian eggplant, everything else is common grocery store staples. There’s no added sugar, and you don’t need any cornstarch or thickeners.
• Quick and easy – This recipe takes me just 15 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my Chinese eggplant recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

Eggplant Stir Fry:

• Chinese Eggplant – Ironically, I had no issues finding it when I tested this recipe a few times, but when it came time for pictures, I couldn’t find any! My husband finally spotted it at an Asian market, so I recommend checking there if your regular grocery store doesn’t have it. If you’re still out of luck, Japanese eggplant is almost the same, or you can use a small to medium-sized globe eggplant. (See my tips on this below.)
• Bell Pepper – I used red, but go with any color you like.
• Aromatics – Onion, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger. In a pinch, you can substitute 2 teaspoons of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, but it’s just not the same. If you still want to go this route, whisk the spices together with the sauce ingredients below.
• Avocado Oil – For sauteing the vegetables. I use avocado oil , because it can withstand the high heat of stir frying and has a neutral flavor. You can use any heat-safe oil.

The Sauce:

The stir fry sauce only needs a few ingredients, as the aromatics above add extra flavor once you combine everything.

• Coconut Aminos – If you avoid soy like I do, this is my go-to soy sauce substitute . I actually prefer it over soy sauce, because it’s a little sweet, but you can use low-sodium soy sauce if you like.
• Honey – This is totally optional, but I recommend a tablespoon for a touch of sweetness and balance. While I use my Wholesome Yum sugar-free honey , regular honey works fine.
• Rice Vinegar – Its tangy flavor brightens up the dish. White wine vinegar would be the closest substitute, but you can also use apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – If you like a more intense kick, add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes, or even crushed dried Thai chilis (you can use them to make my hunan beef for your main dish).

Optional Garnishes:

While these are not required, I think they really elevate this Chinese eggplant dish!

• Toasted Sesame Oil – I don’t recommend cooking with it, because it burns easily, but it’s perfect at the end for a rich, nutty taste.
• Green Onions – Sometimes these are called scallions at the store.
• Sesame Seeds – For a light crunch and extra texture.

VARIATION: Use Thai peanut toppings!

Replace the sesame oil and sesame seeds with peanut oil and chopped peanuts. Thai basil instead of green onions also pairs nicely with this combo.

How To Cook Chinese Eggplant

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Cut the eggplant strips. To cut Chinese eggplant into bite-size pieces, first slice it into circles about 1/3 inch thick. Stack a few circles and cut them into strips of the same thickness. See my picture below for a visual!
2. Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients: coconut aminos, honey (if using), rice vinegar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

1. Saute the aromatics. Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet (or a wok) over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger, and saute until fragrant.
2. Stir fry the veggies. Add the eggplant, onions, and bell peppers. Increase to medium-high heat, and stir fry eggplant until tender.

1. Simmer the sauce. Pour the sauce over the eggplant stir fry. Stir well, then simmer until the sauce absorbs into the vegetables.
2. Garnish. If you like, stir in toasted sesame oil, and top your Chinese eggplant with green onions and sesame seeds.

My Stir Fry Tips

• If you use a regular globe eggplant and it’s large, it’s more likely to be bitter. To fix this, sprinkle the pieces with salt and let them sit for 30 minutes before cooking, then rinse and pat dry. I prefer this eggplant stir fry recipe with Chinese eggplant, but when I have to use globe eggplants, I look for small to medium ones to avoid this step. They are less bitter and less seedy. Chinese eggplant is even better — sweeter and almost seedless!
• To prevent burning, stir fry rather than sauté. This means stir often! Since the temp is pretty high, frequent stirring ensures even cooking.
• If the pan is dry or the veggies start to stick, add a bit more oil. Sometimes I need to do this after sauteing the garlic and ginger, or while I’m stir frying the Chinese eggplant. It’s not usually an issue once you add the sauce.
• You may need to adjust the heat while stir frying. You want the heat high enough to avoid any moisture accumulating, but low enough to avoid burning. It can vary a bit depending on your stove and the pan you use.
• Where does the sauce go? Since eggplant is very spongy, it absorbs most of the sauce. If you want your Chinese eggplant with garlic sauce that isn’t fully absorbed, simmer the sauce with the garlic and ginger before adding the vegetables. Pour into a bowl, then stir fry the veggies separately. Toss with sauce at the end.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as it will likely be mushy afterward.
• Meal prep: You can chop the onions and bell peppers, mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and make the sauce in advance. Store them separately in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. It’s best to cut the Chinese eggplant right before cooking, as it will turn brown if you store it raw.
• Reheat: My preferred way to reheat stir fried eggplant is in a skillet over medium heat.

Serving Ideas

I usually serve this Chinese eggplant recipe as a side dish , but it can also work as a light main. Here are some tasty ideas:

• Chicken – Pair it with my teriyaki chicken or honey garlic chicken for an easy meal.
• Beef – My favorite option is a Korean beef bowl , even though it’s not Chinese, because I can add the Chinese eggplant as a topping. It also goes well with my pepper steak recipe or Thai beef salad .
• Pork – Try my honey garlic pork chops and egg roll in a bowl . For a savory crunch, my crispy pork belly is perfect.
• Vegetarian – If you want to serve this as a main dish, I recommend adding a drained can of chickpeas to the eggplant stir fry for protein. Then, serve over your favorite rice (or my go-to quick option, frozen cauliflower rice ) or even shirataki noodles . You can also serve any of the main dishes above over these.

My Favorite Skillet For This Recipe

Of course you can use a wok for this Chinese eggplant recipe, but I prefer my cast iron skillet . It heats up well, and doesn’t require me to buy a specialty pan for just one type of dish.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

Stir Fry:

• 1 lb Chinese eggplant (or American globe eggplant if you can’t find Chinese) ▢
• 3 tbsp Avocado oil ▢
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 1/2 tbsp Ginger (grated) ▢
• 1/2 large Onion (cut into thin quarter moons) ▢
• 1/2 large Bell pepper (cut into thin strips) ▢

Sauce:

• 1/4 cup Coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce) ▢
• 1 tbsp Honey (or my natural zero sugar honey ; optional) ▢
• 1 tbsp Rice vinegar ▢
• 3/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢

Optional Garnishes:

• 1/2 tsp Toasted sesame oil ▢
• 3 tbsp Green onions (sliced) ▢
• 1/2 tbsp Sesame seeds ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. To cut the eggplant into strips, slice it crosswise into circles first, about 1/3 inch thick (bigger than 1/4 inch but smaller than 1/2 inch). Then, stack the circles (a few at a time) and cut into strips of the same thickness.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients: coconut aminos, honey, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
3. Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger, and saute for 1-2 minutes , until fragrant.
4. Add the eggplant, onions, and bell peppers. Increase the heat to medium-high. Stir fry for 6-8 minutes , until the eggplant is tender.
5. Pour the sauce over the eggplant stir fry. Stir well. Simmer for 1-2 minutes , until the sauce absorbs into the veggies.
6. Remove from heat. If you like, stir in toasted sesame oil, and top with green onions and sesame seeds.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition info does not include the optional honey.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Eggplant Stir Fry

Gratitude Moment

Chinese eggplant is at its peak from July through October, and I photographed this recipe in June, so that might explain why I had trouble finding it. I’m so grateful that I did, because it’s truly unique compared to American eggplant.

Now I’m excited to try my roasted eggplant and air fryer eggplant recipes using Chinese eggplant. I can see it working with any eggplant recipe, really, but I’ll bet there are more Asian recipes that it’s best for.

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Chinese Eggplant Stir Fry

Stir fry my Chinese eggplant recipe with bell peppers, onions, and a sweet honey garlic sauce in just 15 minutes. It’s so easy and flavorful!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/chinese-eggplant/

Ingredients

Stir Fry:

• 1 lb Chinese eggplant (or American globe eggplant if you can’t find Chinese)
• 3 tbsp Avocado oil
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1/2 tbsp Ginger (grated)
• 1/2 large Onion (cut into thin quarter moons)
• 1/2 large Bell pepper (cut into thin strips)

Sauce:

• 1/4 cup Coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)
• 1 tbsp Honey (or my natural zero sugar honey ; optional)
• 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
• 3/4 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Optional Garnishes:

• 1/2 tsp Toasted sesame oil
• 3 tbsp Green onions (sliced)
• 1/2 tbsp Sesame seeds

Instructions

1. To cut the eggplant into strips, slice it crosswise into circles first, about 1/3 inch thick (bigger than 1/4 inch but smaller than 1/2 inch). Then, stack the circles (a few at a time) and cut into strips of the same thickness.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients: coconut aminos, honey, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
3. Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger, and saute for 1-2 minutes , until fragrant.
4. Add the eggplant, onions, and bell peppers. Increase the heat to medium-high. Stir fry for 6-8 minutes , until the eggplant is tender.
5. Pour the sauce over the eggplant stir fry. Stir well. Simmer for 1-2 minutes , until the sauce absorbs into the veggies.
6. Remove from heat. If you like, stir in toasted sesame oil, and top with green onions and sesame seeds.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition info does not include the optional honey.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)