Stir-Fried Japanese Eggplant with Ground Meat

If you are looking for a recipe featuring Japanese eggplant, Stir-Fried Japanese Eggplant with Ground Meat is highly recommended. The combination of Japanese eggplant, which readily absorbs flavors, and traditional Japanese seasonings offers an irresistible taste experience.

Jump to:

• What is Stir-Fried Japanese Eggplant with Ground Meat?
• Why use Japanese eggplant?
• Choosing ground meat
• 📋Step-by-step recipe
• Recipe card

What is Stir-Fried Japanese Eggplant with Ground Meat?

Stir-Fried Japanese Eggplant with Ground Meat is a dish in which Japanese eggplant and ground meat are stir-fried and flavored with traditional Japanese seasonings. Japanese eggplant is known for its ability to absorb flavors, making it a perfect match for the sweet and savory profile of Japanese seasonings. The addition of ground meat offers richness to the dish.

It is delicious on its own, but its robust seasoning pairs exceptionally well with rice. The natural flavors of each ingredient are preserved, creating a dish that is bold yet harmonious. I hope you enjoy the taste of eggplant infused with rich Japanese flavors.

Why use Japanese eggplant?

Japanese eggplant is generally slender, with thin skin and a vibrant purple color. It has tender flesh that is high in moisture and subtly sweet.

There are many varieties of eggplant around the world, but one major advantage of using this type is how well it absorbs flavors. The spongy texture of the flesh soaks up seasonings and oils exceptionally well, making it ideal for stir-fries, stews, and deep-fried dishes.

Although you can use other varieties of eggplant, it may take longer for the flavors to penetrate, and the texture could be quite different. Therefore, I highly recommend trying this dish with Japanese eggplant (or you can also use Chinese eggplant) for the best results.

Choosing ground meat

The ground meat used for this dish can include chicken, beef, or pork. I chose pork for this recipe, but you can enjoy different flavors by using other types of meat.

When using ground chicken, it is better to use thigh meat rather than breast meat because breast meat tends to be drier due to its lower fat content. Additionally, you can make this dish without ground meat if you prefer. Ground meat is recommended because it enhances the richness of the dish, but if you don't have any on hand or if you are vegetarian, feel free to try this dish without it.

📋Step-by-step recipe

Ingredients

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Instructions

🕒 Total: 10 mins mins

Step 1
Cut eggplant into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice green onion. Mix seasonings (sake, mirin, sugar, and soy sauce) in a small bowl.

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Step 2
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add ground pork and stir-fry, breaking it up constantly to prevent lumps from forming, until it is no longer pink.

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Step 3
Transfer the cooked ground pork to a plate and set aside. Add more oil and the eggplant to the pan, then stir-fry until the eggplant is tender.

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Step 4
Return the ground pork to the pan, add the seasoning mixture from the bowl, and stir-fry everything until most of the liquid is absorbed.

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Step 5
Serve on a plate and top with the green onions.

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To Store

You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Recipe card