Sichuan-Style Spicy Eggplant with Chili Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-11 · Updated 2026-04-11

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Velvety eggplants simmered in a fiery chili oil sauce with garlic and Sichuan peppercorns for a deeply flavorful vegetable side. This Chinese-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs eggplant, Sichuan peppercorns, doubanjiang for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 210 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 medium eggplant
1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
2 tbsp doubanjiang
4 cloves garlic
3 tbsp chili oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup water

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Instructions

Step 1: Slice eggplant into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Toss with 1 tbsp vegetable oil and roast in a 400°F oven for 15 minutes until tender and slightly golden.
Step 2: Heat remaining oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add crushed Sichuan peppercorns and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 3: Add minced garlic and doubanjiang, stirring for 1 minute until oil turns red and fragrant.
Step 4: Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Step 5: Add roasted eggplant and simmer for 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until sauce clings to eggplant.
Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 3 tbsp chili oil. Let sit for 5 minutes to absorb flavors before serving.