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 create an irresistible taste experience.

Stir-Fried Japanese Eggplant with Ground Meat is a dish in which Japanese eggplant and ground meat are stir-fried and seasoned with traditional Japanese flavors. 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 bold seasoning pairs especially well with rice. The natural flavors of each ingredient are preserved, resulting in a dish that is robust yet well-balanced. Enjoy the taste of eggplant infused with rich Japanese flavors.

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 this type is how well it absorbs flavors. Its tender and porous 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, they may take longer to absorb flavors, and the texture can be quite different. Therefore, it is best to try this dish with Japanese eggplant (or you can also use Chinese eggplant) for the best results.

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, as chicken breast tends to be drier due to its lower fat content. For pork and beef, there is no need to stick to a specific cut—just use your favorite and enjoy how well it pairs with eggplant.

Ingredients

---

---

Instructions

🕒 Total: 10 mins mins

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

---

Step 2
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add ground pork and cook it, breaking it up continuously to prevent lumps, until cooked through.

---

Step 3
Transfer the cooked ground pork to a plate and set it aside. Add a bit more oil to the pan, then add the eggplant and sauté until it is lightly browned.

---

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

---

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

---

To store

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