Is Freezing Eggplant Possible? Here's What You Should Know

Wondering if eggplant can be frozen? Absolutely! This versatile nightshade vegetable is typically in season from July to October, but freezing some of your eggplant stash allows you to enjoy it throughout the year.

There are several methods to freeze eggplant, and your choice will depend on how you plan to use it after thawing. Read on for advice on how to freeze eggplant—whether sliced, roasted, or pureed—for a variety of eggplant-based recipes.

How to Pick a Fresh Eggplant

When selecting an eggplant, choose one that feels firm and heavy. (Surprisingly, eggplant is a fruit!) It should yield a bit when pressed with your fingers, but if it’s overly soft, it’s best to pass on it.

Regardless of the freezing technique you use, frozen eggplant remains good for 8 to 12 months in the freezer. While it’s safe to eat after a year, expect a decline in texture and flavor past that point.

Is Freezing Raw Eggplant Possible?

Don’t even think about freezing a whole eggplant! Its high water content and tendency to oxidize (turn brown) when sliced make raw eggplant a poor candidate for freezing. It loses texture, flavor, and color, so it's best to cook it—at least partially—before freezing.

You can freeze raw eggplant if you blanch it first, which is a quick and easy cooking technique that halts the browning process and kills bacteria. Blanching followed by flash-freezing is an ideal way to preserve a summer eggplant harvest for later use.

What Is Flash-Freezing?

How to Blanch Raw Eggplant for Freezing

To maximize your frozen eggplant, we recommend cooking it before freezing. If you don’t want to bake or roast it, blanching is a great alternative.

1. Bring a gallon of water to a boil with ½ cup of lemon juice.
2. Add sliced or cubed eggplant and boil for 4 minutes.
3. While the eggplant blanches, prepare a large bowl of ice water.
4. After 4 minutes, transfer the eggplant into the ice bath.
5. Once the eggplant cools (around 5 minutes), remove it from the ice water and dry it off.
6. Flash-freeze the eggplant on a baking sheet for 1 to 2 hours, then store in freezer bags and freeze.

How to Freeze Baked Eggplant Slices

If you're a fan of eggplant Parmesan—or enjoy it breaded and then baked or fried—freezing cooked eggplant slices is a great option. Having a stock of pre-cooked slices in the freezer makes preparing eggplant dishes quick and easy.

1. Slice eggplant into ½-inch thick rounds.
2. (Optional) For breaded rounds, dip in egg and coat with seasoned breadcrumbs.
3. Arrange slices on baking sheets and bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the eggplant is tender when pierced with a fork. (Baking time will vary based on the size and thickness of the slices.)
4. Let the eggplant cool, then store in a freezer-safe container, layering parchment paper between rounds to prevent sticking. Freeze until ready to use.

How to Freeze Roasted Eggplant Cubes

Freezing roasted eggplant cubes is perfect for using in side dishes or adding to soups, stews, stir-fries, or hearty meals like eggplant shepherd's pie.

1. Peel and cube the eggplant.
2. Toss the cubes with olive oil, salt, and minced garlic (optional), then spread them out on a baking sheet.
3. Roast at 375°F for about 45 minutes, or until the pieces are slightly browned and tender inside.
4. Let the cubes cool, then spread them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Flash-freeze the cubes for 1 to 2 hours (or until solid), then transfer to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer.

How to Freeze Eggplant Puree

If you enjoy using eggplant for making dips, sauces, or fillings, freezing eggplant puree is a clever and time-efficient solution.

1. Slice the eggplant in half lengthwise and place the halves, cut-side up, on a baking sheet.
2. Roast at 400°F for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the eggplant flesh is tender.
3. Allow the eggplant halves to cool, then scoop out the soft flesh.
4. Blend the flesh in a food processor until smooth.
5. Transfer the eggplant puree to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer until needed.

How to Defrost Frozen Eggplant

Once thawed, the possibilities with frozen eggplant are endless! The freezing method you use will influence how you incorporate this nutritious food after it's defrosted—and the reverse is also true.

Using Slices

If you've frozen eggplant slices (breaded or not) and plan to use them in a baked dish, there's no need to thaw them. Simply add the frozen rounds directly to your eggplant Parmesan before baking. For serving as standalone slices, take them from the freezer, place them on a baking sheet, and bake in the oven—or sauté them in a pan with a little oil—until fully cooked.

Using Cubes

To thaw roasted eggplant cubes for adding to soups, ratatouille, or stir-fry—such as a spicy chicken and eggplant dish—just drop the frozen pieces directly into the cooking dish. To serve the roasted cubes on their own, heat them either on the stove or in the oven until they are properly warmed through.

Using Puree

To defrost eggplant purée, move it from the freezer to the fridge and let it thaw overnight. Once it's thawed, incorporate it into a recipe, such as eggplant dip with feta and crudités, and use it as you normally would.