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Spiced Indian Eggplant Bharta with Charred Onions

Name: Spiced Indian Eggplant Bharta with Charred Onions
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 3 large eggplants; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 large onion — finely chopped; 2 cups tomatoes — chopped; 3 cloves garlic — minced; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; 1 teaspoon red chili powder; 1 teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 tablespoon garam masala; Salt to taste; 1 large onion — thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; Pinch of salt; Fresh cilantro — chopped; Lemon wedges

A traditional Indian dish featuring smoked eggplant mashed with spices and topped with sweet, charred onions.

4(819 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 1, 2025

Spiced Indian Eggplant Bharta with Charred Onions — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Eggplant

For the Masala

For the Charred Onions

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 182 kcal
Protein: 3.8 g
Carbs: 21.2 g
Fat: 11.3 g
Fiber: 7.6 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 728 kcal
Protein: 15 g
Carbs: 84.6 g
Fat: 45.2 g
Fiber: 30.2 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
3 large eggplants	120	5	30	1	15
2 tablespoons vegetable oil	240	0	0	28	0
1 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
1 large onion — finely chopped	60	2	14	0	3
2 cups tomatoes — chopped	64	4	14	1	4
3 cloves garlic — minced	13	0.5	3	0	0.2
1 teaspoon cumin seeds	8	0.4	1	0.4	0.6
1 teaspoon red chili powder	6	0.3	1	0.3	0.9
1 teaspoon turmeric powder	8	0.3	1	0.3	0.8
1 tablespoon garam masala	20	1	4	1	2
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 large onion — thinly sliced	60	2	14	0	3
1 tablespoon vegetable oil	120	0	0	14	0
Pinch of salt	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh cilantro — chopped	3	0.3	0.6	0.1	0.4
Lemon wedges	6	0.2	2	0.1	0.3

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Roasting the Eggplant

1
Pierce eggplants
Pierce eggplants with a fork to prevent bursting.
2
Roast eggplants
Roast eggplants directly over a medium flame until the skin is charred and the flesh is soft.
Tip: Roast the eggplants directly over the flame for an authentic smoky flavor.
3
Cool and mash
Let them cool, then peel and mash the flesh in a bowl.
Tip: Ensure the eggplants are fully cooked and soft before mashing.

Preparing the Masala

1
Heat oil and cumin
Heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds until they crackle.
2
Sauté onions
Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
3
Cook spices
Stir in garlic, tomatoes, and spices. Cook until the mixture thickens.
Tip: Add a splash of water to prevent spices from sticking while cooking.