This simple Chinese Aubergine Stir-Fry recipe is my favourite way to cook aubergine. It's packed with melt-in-your-mouth aubergine coated in a rich, garlicky, savoury, umami sauce. Perfect with a bowl of steamed rice!

A white plate containing stir fried aubergine with red bell peppers slices and spring onions with a pair of chopsticks on the side.

If you think aubergine is boring, this stir-fry would change your mind very quickly!

It’s one of the best aubergine dishes, turning a simple vegetable into something incredibly delicious. Aubergine often appeared at our home because it could be cooked in so many ways.

Sometimes my mum made it spicy with chilli, other times with minced meat or tofu, and always with lots of rice because the sauce was too good not to spoon over everything. Aubergine Bhaji is also our readers' favourite and must-try for aubergine lovers!

Choosing Right Aubergine

Known as aubergine in the UK, eggplant or brinjal in others. Chinese, Japanese, Italian, or Indian, most varieties of aubergine work well for this recipe, as they're naturally sweeter and more tender. Regular globe aubergines are also a great choice and are easy to find in most local supermarkets.

I wouldn't recommend using the small round aubergines for this dish, as they have a firmer texture and slightly different flavour that's better suited to curries rather than stir-fries.

When choosing an aubergine, look for one that feels firm and heavy for its size, with smooth, glossy skin and a fresh green stem. Avoid aubergines with wrinkled skin, soft spots, bruises, or dull patches, as these are signs that they're past their best.

Ingredients You'll Need

Labelled ingredients of making aubergine stir fry displayed on the white table.

2 medium aubergines
1 red bell pepper
3 cloves garlic
2 spring onions
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Vegetarian stir fry sauce or oyster sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp cooking oil
Salt and white pepper
1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
1 tbsp cornstarch to coat the aubergine
A splash of water for the sauce

How to Stir Fry Aubergine Perfectly

Large white bowl containing aubergine slices and sprinkling salt over it.

Wash and cut the aubergine into thick strips. Add them to a bowl and sprinkle salt over them, toss well and let it rest for 10 minutes.

An image showing how to dry aubergine on the wooden chopping board with a paper towel.

Then rinse with cold water and squeeze out the excess water. Then gently pat dry with kitchen paper.

An image showing how to coat the aubergine slices with cornstarch.

Toss and coat with 1 tbsp of cornstarch.

Pan frying the aubergine in the black non-stick pan.

Heat oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add the aubergine and stir fry until softened and lightly golden.

Then, remove the aubergine from the pan and set aside.

A black pan containing minced garlic and red bell peppers.

Stir Fry Garlic and Pepper: In the same pan, add minced garlic and sliced red bell pepper and stir fry for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly softened but still vibrant.

Cooking peppers and garlic with the stir fry sauce.

Add Seasonings and Sauces: Pour in a small splash of water along with the soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, and white pepper. Stir well and bring everything to a gentle simmer.

An image showing black non-stick pan containing stir fried aubergine, bell peppers, and sauce.

Return the aubergine to the pan and toss gently so everything is coated in the sauce.

Combining all the vegetables and seasonings in the black pan.

Add Finishing Ingredients: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another minute until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Turn off the heat and finish with spring onions and sesame oil.

Khin's Stir Fry Tips

Aubergine absorbs oil quickly at first, but once it softens, it becomes silky and tender.
Do not overcrowd the pan or the aubergine may steam instead of getting brown.
If the pan becomes too dry while cooking, add a splash of water instead of extra oil.
If you do not have vegetarian stir fry sauce or oyster sauce, you can substitute with a pinch of chicken powder, chicken bouillon, MSG, or Japanese dashi seasoning.

Yes! You Can Tweak This Dish

This dish is easy to adapt with whatever you have on hand. Minced chicken, beef or pork pairs especially well with aubergine, while tofu makes it extra comforting and soaks up the sauce beautifully.

You can also add mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions for extra texture and flavour. If you enjoy a bit of heat, a spoonful of chilli oil or some fresh chillies works great too.

Stir fried aubergine and vegetables displayed on the white plate.

Most Asked Questions

Do I need to salt aubergine before cooking?

Not always. Smaller Asian aubergines are usually mild and tender already, but larger aubergines can benefit from a light salting to remove excess moisture.

Why is my aubergine oily?

Aubergine absorbs oil quickly at first. Use a non-stick pand and cooking over medium high heat and not overcrowding the pan helps prevent it from becoming greasy.

Can I air fry or roast the aubergine first?

Yes, bsolutely. This is a great way to use less oil while still getting soft caramelised aubergine.

Why is my aubergine mushy?

It may have been overcooked or cut too small. Slightly larger pieces help keep a better texture.

What We Love Having It With

My favourite way is honestly just aubergine stir fry, hot rice, and a fried egg on the side.We also love it alongside Steamed Cod Fish, Chinese Cabbage Rolls, Vegetable Mei Fun, Fish Tempura or simple soups like Egg Drop Soup.

More Tasty Asian Vegetable Recipes

Raw Carrot Salad ( Try my tasty refreshing viral raw carrot salad! )
Morning Glory Stir Fry ( Classic Asian morning glory with spicy chillies and garlic. )
Thai Vegetable Stir Fry ( Stir fried mixed vegetable with savoury sauce. )
Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry ( Simple quick one-pan dinner, perfect with rice. )
Chicken and Cabbage Stir Fry ( A humble tasty stir fry everyone loves! )

Tried this Recipe?

If you’ve tried out and enjoyed this aubergine recipe, drop a comment below, leave a ⭐ rating, and let me know your own twist.

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Aubergine Stir Fry