Steamed Eggplants with Garlic Sauce

Steamed Eggplants with Garlic Sauce is a beloved dish in Chinese home cooking. Light, flavorful, and easy to make, it’s perfect for a weeknight side or part of a plant-based meal. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your eggplants looking vibrant purple instead of turning brown, this method will change your game. With fragrant garlic, tangy soy-vinegar sauce, and a sizzling oil pour, this dish is a sensory delight.

Recipe

Serving: 2 to 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

For the eggplants:
2 large Chinese eggplants
1 tablespoon white vinegar or rice vinegar
8 cloves garlic, minced
1 stalk scallions, thinly sliced
1 finger hot pepper
3 tablespoons avocado oil or other high-smoking point oil

For the sauce:
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons Chinkiang vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar

Instructions

1. Prepare the eggplants:

• In a large container of water, add the vinegar and whisk. This step helps preserve the eggplants’ purple color.
• Trim the ends off each eggplant, quarter lengthwise, and cut in half crosswise. Repeat for all pieces.
• Soak the eggplants in the vinegar water for 5 minutes, using a plate to weigh them down so they stay submerged. Drain.

2. Make the sauce:

• In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, Chinkiang vinegar, and sugar.

3. Steam the eggplants:

• In a steamer over high heat, bring water to a boil. Place the eggplants inside and steam for about 6 minutes until soft and fully cooked.

4. Finish and serve:

• Place steamed eggplants on a serving plate. Top with garlic, hot pepper slices, and scallions.
• Heat the oil until smoking hot. Carefully pour it over the eggplants to release the aroma.
• Drizzle the sauce around the eggplants and serve warm.

Tips & notes

• Keep the color vibrant: Soaking in vinegar water before steaming helps prevent browning and preserves the eggplant’s bright purple color.
• Use high-smoke-point oil: Avocado oil works well here for pouring hot over garlic — it won’t burn easily and adds richness.
• Eggplant nutrition: While technically a fruit, eggplants are packed with fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins, making them a great addition to any healthy meal.