15-Minute Garlic Sautéed Eggplant
Cooked to tender perfection in just 15 minutes, this sautéed eggplant is simple to make, full of flavor, and a delicious veggie side that is a perfect addition to almost any meal.

I feel like there are two kinds of people in the world: those who love eggplant and those who passionately avoid it. Until a few years ago, I was a strong eggplant avoider. Not so much anymore….
TNNers, I practice what I preach when it comes to vegetables. I sit here telling you to be openminded about veggies and try them in all sorts of ways before writing them off….so you better believe that I am doing that for myself. And eggplant used to be a big veggie hurdle for me.
Through the years of veggie-loading, I have found ways that I love eggplant. These Vegetarian Eggplant Meatballs are truly amazing and Roasted Eggplant Dip might be my favorite thing to add to a summer snack plate. And through more and more positive eggplant exposures, I have actually started to like eggplant in much simpler forms….like this Garlic Sautéed Eggplant.
Done in just 15 minutes, this sautéed eggplant is a simple and scrumptious addition to any dinner table. The added garlic, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper makes this simple side dish sing with flavor and the eggplant (peeled or not, you pick) is cooked to tender perfection in a little oil. While this veggie side is delicious all on its own, it also pairs beautifully with all kinds of of proteins such as chicken, beef, and fish, as well as with other veggies like tomatoes, zucchini, and onions. It is so simple to make and thanks to my visual guides below, even the newest of cooks can confidently make this easy eggplant recipe.
Bonus: this side is made in one skillet and is vegan, vegetarian, plant based, nut free, dairy-free, Whole30, macro friendly, and Paleo. See? The perfect recipe for just about everyone, no matter your eating style or needs.
How to cut your eggplant for this recipe
If you are new to cooking eggplant and are feeling a little lost about how to cut one for this recipe, here is a quick visual step-by-step guide…
How to make this recipe: visual guide
Okay, so now your eggplant is diced to the perfect size, this is how you cook up your sautéed eggplant to tasty perfection.
Other eggplant recipes you will adore
- Vegetarian Eggplant Meatballs
- Roasted Eggplant Dip
- Baked Pasta with Eggplant
- Miso Green Bean and Eggplant Stir Fry
Did you try this simple eggplant recipe and now you’re hungry for more?
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15-Minute Garlic Sautéed Eggplant
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large eggplant, cut into 1/2 pieces
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Fresh parsley, optional garnish
Instructions
- Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet oven medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the diced eggplant and season with onion powder, salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Cook the eggplant, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until the eggplant is soft and lightly browned.
- Add the garlic and oregano to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook until garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Enjoy the sautéed eggplant warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
My new favorite way to eat eggplant! SO good and SO easy!!
Delighted to hear you enjoyed this as much as we do!
Such a quick and easy way to use up our garden eggplant. Thanks for another great recipe!
So glad you loved it!