How to Freeze Eggplant

Homegrown eggplant is delicious and then some. When you have more than you can eat, learn how to freeze eggplant for later use.

May 07, 2020

Photo by: Shutterstock/Nataly Studio

Shutterstock/Nataly Studio

Fresh eggplant is fabulously tasty and so versatile in the kitchen. The only problem is that it keeps just a few days before it turns bitter. Freezing eggplant is really the only option for preserving this colorful favorite. The flesh is too dense to can safely — even for pressure canning — without pulverizing it beyond recognition. So forget your canner, and learn how to freeze eggplant using several different methods.

Freeze Vegetables From Your Garden

See All Photos

Shop This Look

Steps to Freezing Eggplant

Eggplant 'Patio Baby'

Eggplant 'Patio Baby'

No space? No problem. Grow dwarfvarieties of your favorite purple foods. Eggplant ‘Patio Baby’ produces small, dark purple fruits early in the season and bears all summer. The plants top out at 16-20” high, so they’re ideal for containers or small gardens. In eggplants, the antioxidants are found in the skins, which are best eaten when the fruits are young. Later, the skins become tough and bitter.

Photo by: Ball Horticultural Company

Ball Horticultural Company

Pick the Best Produce

The secret to freezing eggplant successfully is starting with the freshest fruits you can find. For homegrown crops, pick eggplants before seeds mature (as seeds mature, the fruit turns bitter). You can also watch for fresh eggplant at your local farmers' market. Always choose eggplants with a uniform color.

Eggplant Varieties to Freeze


While all eggplants become more watery after freezing, some types freeze better than others. Black varieties usually hold up better after freezing than Chinese and Thai eggplants. Think about the final use before becoming overly concerned that you've grown or purchased the wrong type. Thawed, watery eggplant works fine in dips, pasta sauces, soups, or Indian spiced eggplant (baingan bharta). If you intend to fry the eggplant later or layer it into vegetable lasagna, you can bread it before freezing.

penguin belly.jpg

Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, remove the peel from the front of the eggplant to make your penguin's white belly. Also peel two round shapes near the top on either side to create the white shapes found on emperor penguin's necks.

Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, remove the peel from the front of the eggplant to make your penguin's white belly. Also peel two round shapes near the top on either side to create the white shapes found on emperor penguin's necks.

Wash and Peel the Eggplant

Can you freeze eggplant using traditional blanching methods? Yes — begin the process with washing and peeling the fruits.

Photo by: viniciusfrp / Shutterstock.com

viniciusfrp / Shutterstock.com

Slice the Eggplant

Slice peeled eggplants into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Peel and slice enough eggplants for one blanching batch at a time. Work quickly; eggplant starts to turn brown if the slices are exposed to air for more than about 30 minutes.

Photo by: Debbie Wolfe

Debbie Wolfe

Blanch the Eggplant

For blanching, add one-half cup of lemon juice to one gallon of water, and bring it to a boil. Blanch the eggplant slices for 4 minutes, cool, and package in freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing bags.

Prep and Freeze


If you plan to use the frozen slices for making vegetable lasagna or eggplant parmesan, you can batter and bread the slices after blanching, wrap in wax paper, and freeze. Simply use your favorite batter and breading recipe. To fry or bake slices later, pack them in layers separated by wax paper before loading into freezer bags.

You can also tackle freezing eggplant by cooking it prior to freezing. Cooking methods to use include grilling eggplant slices or roasting whole eggplants. Oven-roasting is easy. Prick whole eggplants multiple times with a fork, and roast them at 400ºF until they collapse. Cool, then scoop out the flesh and stash it in freezer bags or containers. Use this eggplant in stews, chili, dips, or ratatouille.

Cook and Freeze Finished Eggplant Dishes



If time and freezer space permit, go ahead and prepare your favorite eggplant dishes, such as caponata, moussaka, eggplant-infused tomato sauce, roasted eggplant soup, or ratatouille. Freeze appropriate serving-size portions of these items in air-tight containers. For best flavor, use frozen eggplant within nine to 14 months.

Next Up

How to Freeze Okra

Okra is a Southern favorite, thanks to its heat-loving disposition. Stock up on okra in season and freeze it for later use.

How to Freeze Tomatoes From Your Garden

Extend your garden harvest by putting your tomatoes in the deep freeze.

Freezing Cherry Tomatoes

Keep fresh cherry tomato flavor on your meal-time menu well beyond the garden season by preserving excess fruits in the freezer.

Freezing Cabbage

Scratch store-bought cabbage off your grocery list—and fill your freezer with homegrown cabbage instead.

How to Freeze Corn on the Cob

Whether you're freezing your garden crop or just want to preserve the bounty from the farmers' market, this easy step-by-step guide will give you the tips you need to freeze corn on the cob.

5 Ways to Freeze Fresh Herbs

Learn how to prepare chives, parsley and other herbs for the deep freeze.

How to Freeze Apples

Save that apple bounty for the months ahead.

Can You Freeze Watermelon?

Leftover watermelon doesn't have to spoil. Preserve the excess in the freezer for a summery treat this winter. We'll show you how.

3 Ways to Freeze Peaches

Get our step-by-step tips for freezing fresh peaches so you can enjoy them year-round.

3 Ways to Store and Preserve Fresh-Picked Carrots

Enjoy the flavor of garden-fresh carrots all year long by learning how to freeze, pressure cook and store them properly.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.