This is the best way to peel and cut eggplant for your next recipe, according to experts.

How to Choose the Best Eggplant

Cutting eggplant like a pro means choosing eggplant like one too.

Start with size: smaller eggplants are typically more tender, have fewer seeds and are less bitter.

Different types of eggplant on a wooden cutting board

Photo:Preethi Venkatram

What about adding vinegar or lemon juice to keep eggplant from browning?

it’s possible for you to peel eggplant with a paring knife or a vegetable peeler.

Here’s how:

Looking for a great dish to use peeled eggplant in?

Hands cutting an eggplant on a wooden cutting board

Preethi Venkatram

Try our Sicilian Caponata recipe.

Step 1

Lay the eggplant on your cutting board and cut off both ends.

Step 2

Stand the eggplant on its end.

An eggplant getting sliced the long way on a wooden cutting board

Preethi Venkatram

Carefully slice into planks from the top down, as thick as your recipe recommends.

Step 3

For shorter planks, cut the eggplant across in half and stand up each half.

Lay the eggplant on its side and cut off the stem.

An eggplant getting sliced the long way on a wooden cutting board

Preethi Venkatram

Work your way down the eggplant, slicing each round as thick as your recipe recommends.

Start by cutting your eggplant into slices as thick as recommended by your chosen recipe.

Stack the slices and cut them lengthwise into strips, keeping the same thickness.

Hands cutting the top of an eggplant on a wooden cutting board

Preethi Venkatram

Keeping them stacked and maintaining the same thickness, cut your strips crosswise to create cubes.

(OurEggplant Parmesan, Vegan Eggplant Parmesan andGluten-Free Eggplant Parmesanrecipes are ready when you are.)

Slice off the stem and bottom.

An eggplant getting sliced on a wooden cutting board

Preethi Venkatram

Cut into planks about 1/2 inch thick.

Strips can also be made intoCrispy Eggplant Parmesan Fries.

Pair with your fave marinara when you’re in the mood for a super-easy snack!

An eggplant getting sliced on a wooden cutting board

Preethi Venkatram

An eggplant getting sliced the long way on a wooden cutting board

Preethi Venkatram

An eggplant getting cut into long spears on a wooden cutting board

Preethi Venkatram

An eggplant getting diced on a wooden cutting board

Preethi Venkatram

Eggplant slices on a baking sheet getting brushed with oil

Preethi Venkatram

An eggplant getting sliced on a wooden cutting board

Preethi Venkatram

An eggplant getting cut into spears on a wooden cutting board

Preethi Venkatram