Eggplant Adobo

By Kay Chun

Published January 18, 2024

  • Two servings of eggplant adobo are in pink bowls with white rice.
    Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne.
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
40 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Rating
5(2,476)
Comments
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This superpunchy, one-skillet vegetarian meal is inspired by chicken adobo, a beloved Filipino dish. Here, eggplant cooks in rich, tangy adobo sauce — a blend of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, black pepper and bay leaf — absorbing the savory flavors as it simmers. Coconut milk is added in some versions of adobo, creating a rich, silky texture to balance out the sauce’s tart notes. This recipe includes a shower of fragrant basil, which brings a fresh hit that lifts the dish. (Thinly sliced scallions would also be great.) Serve the eggplant over rice to catch all of its flavorful drippings.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 5 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or safflower

  • 1 ½ pounds eggplant (preferably small Italian eggplant), cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups)

  • Kosher salt and pepper

  • ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce

  • ¼ cup unsweetened coconut milk

  • 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon turbinado or light brown sugar

  • ½ white onion, thinly sliced

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 fresh or dried bay leaf

  • ¼ cup chopped basil, plus additional small leaves for garnish

  • Steamed jasmine rice, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

29 grams carbs; 315 calories; 11 grams monosaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 21 grams fat; 6 grams fiber; 675 milligrams sodium; 5 grams protein; 9 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium. Add half of the eggplant, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and repeat with 2 tablespoons of the oil and the remaining eggplant.

  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine soy sauce, coconut milk, vinegar, sugar, ½ teaspoon pepper and 2 tablespoons of water; mix well.

  3. Step 3

    Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, 3 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, 1 minute.

  4. Step 4

    Add the browned eggplant, soy sauce mixture and bay leaf and toss to evenly coat. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook, stirring every 5 minutes, until the eggplant is tender but still has structure, about 10 minutes. Uncover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and nicely coats the eggplant, about 2 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the chopped basil.

  5. Step 5

    Divide the eggplant mixture over rice among bowls. Garnish with basil leaves and serve warm.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
2,476 user ratings
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Comments

Archdruid 1

Eggplant with little oil. Take eggplant slices, put on a paper towel lined plate. 4 to 5 minutes in your microwave (depends on the power of your microwave). Almost all water is gone and sponge barriers are collapsed. Now start your recipe.

Jens

I suggest you use the rest of the can of coconut milk to make coconut rice! It would be a perfect pairing with this dish. Just sub the coconut milk for water 1:1

Alex

I'd toss the eggplant cubes in oil and salt and put in a hot 450f oven for 15 mins (on a tray with baking paper - no cleanup). Brown onions etc in parallel on the stove. It's my go to method for eggplant these days - less oil; can go hotter if you want to get a bit of charring going.

Angela B

We often have the Lucky Peach chicken adobo for a weeknight dinner. This is a great version (very similar sauce) that is all veggie. I added some zucchini to round out my small garden eggplants and sautéed some beet greens in the sauce as well. Very tasty and the recipe will go in our rotation for sure.

Daisy

I followed the drill roasting. I thought it was quite good as is. There was only full soy sauce available so I watered it down a little and added a bit more coconut milk just in case. I could see this done with mushrooms and for non-vegetarians, maybe a fish.

Dolores

Instead of cooking the eggplant cubes on the stovetop, I tossed them with salt, pepper, and olive oil and cooked them at 400 degrees in a preheated air fryer for 12 minutes. I didn’t have bay leaves or fresh basil to use, but it was still tasty and a great way to use up some extra coconut milk I had in the freezer. Will definitely make again.

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