Eggplant salad is a healthy and delicious Mediterranean-inspired recipe with juicy tomatoes, pan-fried or grilled eggplant, arugula, quinoa, fresh herbs - and plenty of flavor! Omit the quinoa and make it low carb and keto.

Eggplant salad made with quinoa served in a white bowl.

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Why You'll ❤️ Eggplant Salad
🥘 What You'll Need
🔪 How To Make It
🥗 How To Serve
📖 Variations
💭 Top Tips
❓FAQs
✔️ More Salad Recipes
📋 Recipe

Why You'll ❤️ Eggplant Salad

"Eggplant is such a versatile vegetable, and it just doesn't get enough attention. It has wonderful flavor especially when grilled, pan-fried, or roasted. I think you'll love it in this salad."

Looking for more ideas on what to make with eggplant? Be sure to try Eggplant Lasagna, Low Carb Eggplant Parmesan, Mini Eggplant Pizza Recipe, or this other eggplant salad: Grilled Eggplant Caprese Salad. Enjoy!

Mediterranean

The Mediterranean diet typically includes mostly vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, mainly olive oil. This recipe is made up primarily of fresh vegetables, fresh herbs, olive oil, and seasoning, making it the perfect dish to enjoy.

Convenient

Fire up the grill and prepare your eggplant. Don't feel like grilling? No worries! You can easily do this in a saute pan indoors as well. Mix up the salad and dressing in a bowl, top off your eggplant "filet, " and enjoy it guilt-free!

low carb and keto eggplant salad without quinoa, served in a white bowl. — Eggplant salad made low carb and keto with quinoa omitted.

Healthy

This eggplant salad is vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and Whole30! Omit the quinoa, and it is a great keto, low-carb meal as well. It's also perfect if you're following a Mediterranean diet.

🥘 What You'll Need

Here are the ingredients you will need to make tomato and eggplant salad:

ingredients needed for making eggplant salad

Large Eggplant - eggplant is a mild flavor comparable to zucchini or summer squash. It is spongey in texture when raw, but it is best enjoyed when cooked.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - you can substitute your preferred oil.

Kosher Salt

Ground Black Pepper

Arugula - this green is loved for its slightly peppery flavor.

Roma or Cherry Tomatoes - I use either one I have on hand. You could also cut a larger tomato into one inch bites.

Cooked Quinoa - This healthy grain is an excellent substitute for rice! High in fiber and protein, plus it's gluten-free. If following a low carb or keto diet, do not use.

Parmesan Cheese - grate your own or purchase already grated cheese.

Fresh Parsley - fresh parsley is best for the color and flavor.

Fresh Dill - fresh dill is best for the flavor of this fresh salad.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - you can substitute your preferred oil.

Apple Cider Vinegar - vinegar is great for a salad dressing for its bright, tangy flavor. Apple cider vinegar adds a little sweetness to it, also!

Lemon Juice - fresh lemon juice always has the best flavor.

For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!

🔪 How To Make It

Here are the step-by-step instructions for making this tomato and eggplant salad:

Grill or Pan Fry the Eggplant

Generously brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Preheat a grill pan, grill, or skillet to medium-high heat.

Place eggplant slices on the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side. Work in batches if needed.

Set eggplant aside to cool slightly.

Salad Dressing

Mix the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl and set aside.

Assemble The Salad

Place quinoa (if adding), arugula, tomatoes, and eggplant on a salad plate or bowl and top with parsley, dill, and parmesan cheese.

Drizzle and Serve

Drizzle with salad dressing and serve immediately. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.

Tomato and eggplant salad served in a white bowl.

🥗 How To Serve

Here are a few ways to serve this tomato and eggplant salad:

This salad is served best right away to prevent the eggplant and arugula from getting soggy.

Adjust the amount of dressing to your liking; if you aren't adding quinoa start by making half the amount of dressing.

Add any additional ingredients you may like, such as toasted walnuts or pine nuts, dried cranberries (not keto), or crumbled feta or goat cheese. Olives are nice as well as

Add grilled chicken, pork, or beef and make this a full meal.

Dinner idea! Serve as a side to Grilled or Baked Marinated Pork Chops or Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs.

📖 Variations

Here are a few ways you can vary or make substitutions to this recipe:

Make it low carb and keto by omitting the quinoa. Start by using only half of the dressing and add more to taste. Adjust salt and pepper until you have the perfect combination.
Make this a Mediterranean eggplant salad by substituting feta cheese for parmesan cheese. You could also add some olives or diced lamb.
Substitute eggplant with zucchini! It's a great replacement.
Spice it up by adding your favorite hot sauce to your salad dressing, or use this Chipotle Seasoning on your eggplant before grilling to add some extra flavor and spice!

💭 Top Tips

Feel free to prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but store them separately until you're ready to throw your salad together. Eggplant, however, will turn brown if sliced too soon.
Fully cool the quinoa and eggplant before adding them to the salad.
Do not overcook the eggplant, as it will become mushy and fall apart. Remove when it just starts to become tender, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.

❓FAQs

How To Store

This salad should be served immediately and eaten within 24 hours.

How To Freeze

This recipe cannot be frozen.

✔️ More Salad Recipes

Here are more delicious salads for you to try!

If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give it a 5-star rating and/or a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please share photos of your creations with me and others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!

Healthy Tomato and Eggplant Salad