This Baby Eggplant Coconut Curry is so incredibly delicious! The baby eggplants melt in your mouth, in every bite, there is the flavor of the aromatic coconut curry sauce.
Eggplant coconut curry is vegan, gluten, and delicious. I’m always serving curry recipes, check out Kidney Bean Curry, Coconut Lentil Curry, Jamaican Spicy Potato Curry, Tofu Tikka Masala, and Zucchini Green Peas Coconut Curry.
Baby Eggplant Coconut Curry
On my recent trip to Alabama, I got the opportunity to visit the local Asian supermarket in Huntsville, Alabama. There were so many exotic fruits and vegetables. I plan to share some creations with you soon.

What Is A Baby Eggplant?
Baby eggplants are known as Indian eggplants, are small round eggplants with purple skin, soft and tender cream-colored flesh. They are sold in Asian supermarkets, farmers’ markets here in the USA. They are popular in Japanese, Italian, Indian, and cuisine, they are usually served in curries, stews, roasted, soups, and dips.
Baby Eggplant Coconut Curry Ingredients
Marinade
- Baby Eggplants – substitute with globe eggplant cut into 2-inch chunks.
- Coconut Cream- substitute with coconut milk.
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Paprika
- Turmeric
- Cumin
- Salt
Sauce
- Oil
- Coconut Milk
- Onion
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Cardamon
- Turmeric
- Tomato Sauce
- Water
- Salt
- Cilantro

How To Make Baby Eggplant Coconut Curry?
- Mix coconut cream, ginger, garlic, paprika, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic, salt in a small bowl. Set aside.

- Wash eggplants and cut into quarters lengthwise, but not going all the way to the stem, stop about 1/2 inch from the stem.
- Gently open each eggplant and spoon the marinade into the crevices making sure you coat the flesh completely.
- Allow the marinated eggplant to marinate for at least 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce.

- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion and cook until soft, about 2 minutes.
- Add garlic, ginger and cook stirring for a minute.
- Stir in cumin, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, cook until fragrant stirring, about a minute.
- Add tomato sauce, remaining coconut cream, water, and salt to taste. Bring it to a simmer.
- Arrange marinated eggplants in the sauce, cover, and cook eggplants until soft and tender, about 20 minutes.

Can I Use Coconut Milk Instead Of Coconut Cream?
Yes, you can use full-fat coconut milk for a creamier curry. If you are using coconut milk from a can, you can also chill the can in the refrigerator, this will separate the white coconut milk from the translucent liquid. Use the white milk for the marinade and all the remaining portion later.
Can I Remove The Stems Of The Baby Eggplants?
Yes, you can remove the stems if you want, make sure to still slit your eggplant and still add the marinade so your eggplant will be flavorful.
What Should I Serve My Baby Eggplant Coconut Curry With?
- Turmeric Coconut Rice
- Gluten-Free Vegan Flat Bread
- Baked Tortilla Samosa
- Steamed Quinoa
- Brown Jasmine Rice
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Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Indian
Cook Time
- Preparation: 20 min
- Cooking: 25 min
- Ready in: 45 min
- For: 6 Servings
Ingredients
- 12 baby eggplants
For The Marinade
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
For The Sauce
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Cilantro for garnishing
Instructions
- Mix coconut cream, ginger, garlic, paprika, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic, salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Wash eggplants and cut into quarters lengthwise, but not going all the way to the stem, stop about 1/2 inch from the stem.
- Gently open each eggplant and spoon the marinade into the crevices making sure you coat the flesh completely.
- Allow the marinated eggplant to marinate for at least 20 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion and cook until soft, about 2 minutes.
- Add garlic, ginger and cook stirring for a minute.
- Stir in cumin, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, cook until fragrant stirring, about a minute.
- Add tomato sauce, remaining coconut cream, water, and salt to taste. Bring it to a simmer.
- Arrange marinated eggplants in the sauce, cover, and cook eggplants until soft and tender, about 20 minutes turning gently halfway.
Delicious, I added fresh tomatoes instead of sauce, doubled the recipe and added 2 cut up whole eggplants in addition to the baby ones. Also added some tamarind and a tablespoon of sugar.
Very easy recipe, tastes amazing!
Absolutely superb and I’ll try it
I like this version of eggplant coconut curry because of the standard used to prepare it
Very delicious!
(Added potato for starch, and a little ground hot pepper for heat.)
Looks really delicious and healthy
I used slender baby eggplants and after about 20 minutes, I wound up with too much delicious sauce to eggplant ratio so I threw in a thickly sliced onion and zucchini, covered the pan and cooked for an additional 20-30 minutes. It was delicious! Thank you!!
Denise, I’m happy you enjoyed it. I also loved how you added the onion and zucchini for the extra sauce. Thank you for sharing you feedback.
Amazing recipe Michelle, thank you! We made this last night and it was wonderful. Served it with curried split peas/chana dal I had made earlier.
Emily, I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.
My family loved this recipe, we found baby eggplants at our local Asian food store!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.