Better than Chinese takeout! Kung Pao Eggplant is a vegan twist on a classic, bursting with savory, rich umami flavors and packed with nutrients.Better than Chinese takeout! Kung Pao Eggplant is a vegan twist on a classic, bursting with savory, rich umami flavors and packed with nutrients.Happy Thursday!

I’m getting ready to head off to Buffalo tomorrow for my bridal shower weekend so I can channel my inner 10-year-old and awkwardly open gifts in front of a bunch of people. Can you tell being the center of attention isn’t my thing? I am looking forward though to see family and friends and celebrating our upcoming wedding which is 5 weeks away! AHHHHH. So crazy. And still so much to do. Steve and I were joking with each other the other day saying what the hell are we going to do with our lives once this wedding is over?

Maybe make more recipes. Like this one I made for Food Network using one of my favorite vegetables that’s in-season right now, eggplant! I especially love eggplant for its meaty texture – it’s a great vegetarian substitute to use on sandwiches, in pasta sauce or in stir-fries. I created this Kung Pao Eggplant dish because I was craving Chinese takeout food one night but didn’t want a processed meal that was high in fat and sodium. So, enter my stab at a vegetarian twist on a classic Chinese takeout dish: Kung Pao Eggplant.

The eggplant adds more vitamins and minerals to the plate, not to mention a boost of fiber. You’ll love how flavorful this dish is too – bursting with savory, umami flavors with a bit of heat and spice.

Kung Pao Eggplant

Ditch the takeout menu and try this dish for your next weeknight meal. Click here for the full Kung Pao Eggplant recipe!

Better than Chinese takeout! Kung Pao Eggplant is a vegan twist on a classic, bursting with savory, rich umami flavors and packed with nutrients.

You May Also

For other vegan friendly dinners, check out the recipes below


Vegan Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos

Turmeric Chickpea Salad Avocado Boats

Grilled Cauliflower Hummus Sandwich

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13 Comments

  1. Lilly

    Looks amazing! I love eggpplants but sometimes I don;t know how to cook them.
    And because I use Fitatu calorie counter I know how valuable this veggie is <3

  2. I don’t even love eggplant and this looks so delicious and elegant that I want to try it! 🙂

  3. I rarely tackle eggplant in the kitchen but this looks totally worth the effort!

  4. What a great idea! This dish looks so satisfying. I bet carnivores wouldn’t even miss the chicken!

  5. What a great way to use eggplant. And it looks absolutely gorgeous!

  6. Love good eggplant. I just had an egg plant and shrimp dish at a dim sum place last night. Awesome – http://www.dudeletseatla.com/

  7. Rachel @ Delicious Balance

    YUMMMM! Your recipes get me every time! This looks SO good!!!!! I need to try this one on my hubby soon! Have fun at your bridal shower this weekend!!!

  8. Love that you used eggplant to replace the meat for a tasty meatless dinner! YUM!

  9. I love eggplant! Looks delicious!

  10. Oh goodness, that looks amazing!

  11. Katie Cavuto

    I am literally drooling! This looks so delicious – I wish you could deliver,lol!
    Your photos are beautiful, as always! 😉

  12. Oh Kara this seriously caught me eye – it looks absolutely delicious! definitely checking out the recipe! What a great healthy Chinese alternative!

  13. Wedding planning is seriously a part time job so it will be nice to have more relaxing time together after the big day. I’m normally not the biggest Chinese food fan but I definitely need to go check out this veggie packed king pao recipe now! PS loved reading your Switzerland recaps- I feel like for a lot of European cities the smallest ones are the best ones.