This Smothered Eggplant Rice Dressing is a popular Southern Louisiana recipe. It’s diced eggplant smothered with onions, garlic, pork, and rice.
This recipe is a favorite of mine from my childhood. I can remember being mesmerized as I watched my Maw-Maw stand over her big pot stirring the contents inside like she was making something magical.
I always loved the way her house smelled when she was cooking, especially when she made this Eggplant recipe.
Once my grandmother passed away, and I became an adult I started calling my Mom for the recipe.
This recipe has become one of my family’s favorite summertime meals. I use fresh Eggplants from our Garden .
I have found even though the Smothered Eggplant Rice Dressing tastes great, it still doesn’t taste like my Maw-Maw’s.
Ingredients for Smothered Eggplant Rice Dressing
- 3- Large Eggplants, peeled and cut into cubes
- 2 lbs. Ground Pork (can use Italian Sausage or Ground Meat)
- 1/2 Cup fresh parsley plus 1 tablespoon for garnish
- 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 – Medium onion diced
- 2- Cloves garlic minced
- 1- Cup cooked rice
- 1/2 – Cup water
- salt & pepper to taste
- optional: Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning (to your liking)
How to Make Smothered Eggplant Rice Dressing
1. Cook rice and set aside.
2. Brown ground pork in a large pot then pour meat into a bowl and let sit.
3. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pot, where you just removed ground pork, lightly saute 1/2 cup parsley, onions, and garlic.
Once cooked remove from the stove top and set aside.
Kim’s note – add a little more water while cooking the eggplant down if needed.
5. Stir eggplant often cooking all the water out. Smother it down, scrape off any that sticks to the bottom of the pot.
Once the water is cooked out add the remaining olive oil. Stir until the eggplant is completely mashed up.
6. Add all the saute vegetables, meat, seasoning, and rice to the eggplant stirring until the food is completely mixed together.
Sprinkle with remaining parsley. Serve hot.
PIN ME:
KimSeghers says
I can't believe you never used eggplant. It's not weird the vegetable just may be more popular in my region. Try peeling it and slicing it into circles and frying it you might be surprised!!! Kim
KimSeghers says
Thank you Nicole! You could use Italian sausage instead of ground pork and add more than one cup of rice. Kim
KimSeghers says
Yes, we love using ground pork I think it tastes better that ground meat. Nothing like grandma's cooking. Have a nice weekend, Kim
KimSeghers says
Hope you like the recipe if you decide to try it. Some people add more than one (1) cup of rice . Also this recipe tastes great with Italian sausage. Kim
KimSeghers says
Oh Takisha I was raised eating fried eggplant too! But, it's nice to have an alternative. My maw-maw would always cook eggplant fried or smothered!!! Have a great week, Kim
KimSeghers says
Thank you, Emily I hope you like it! Kim
Brooke Knipp says
That does look great! I rarely cook with eggplant, but I would love to incorporate it more. Gonna have to try this. Pinning!
KimSeghers says
Thank you, Brooke. I hope you like this recipe if you try it. You could use ground Italian sausage instead of ground pork and use more rice if you wanted. I always add my rice a little bit at a time. also you could always peel and slice your eggplant into thin medallions and fry it. Kim
Agy Lee says
That looks yummy. I love eggplant and I love rice!
KimSeghers says
That's awesome Agy you should try this recipe! Have a great week, Kim
Sara says
Looks awesome!!! I miss my great grandma's cooking so much. Ohhhh the memories. I always feel stuck when it comes to cooking with eggplant, ya know besides the normal…. Def gonna try this!
KimSeghers says
Hi Sara, I miss my grandmothers cooking too. It seems like her food always tasted better. You should try peeling the eggplant and slicing it into circles and frying it or give this recipe a try. You could use Italian sausage instead of ground meat if you wanted. Hope you like this recipe . Kim
Michele says
Ok, I confess that I have never cooked eggplant. I tried it once at a restaurant but I didn't like it. I really need to give it another try. It is so pretty and healthy.
KimSeghers says
Hi Michele, I really think the taste depends on how the eggplant is cooked. I was raised where it was either fried or smothered with rice. I think Fried eggplant tastes great too. I hope you give the vegetable another try. You could soak it first in a little salt bath after you peel it, try slicing it thin and frying it or make this recipe. You could use Italian sausage instead of ground pork. And, add more rice if you want. Kim
orana velarde says
Eggplant has always been so complicated for me, always coming out too soggy or bitter. I usually stay away from it. I will have to try your recipe and see if its nicer that way! thanks
KimSeghers says
I know Orana sometimes it comes out soggy for me too. My grandmother's eggplant use to make hers perfectl . Mine is a hit or miss! Hope this recipe works for you. Just add more rice if you need. Kim
Karyl Henry says
Oh, and my parents love eggplant, so I'm going to share this recipe with them!
KimSeghers says
Hope your parents love this recipe! Have a great week, Kim
Karyl Henry says
I've never been a fan of eggplant, but I have to say this looks good! I may have to give it a try
KimSeghers says
I only love eggplant the way I grew up eating it smothered or fried. Hope you like this recipe. You could add more rice and use Italian sausage . Kim
gunjan says
A complete new idea. Loved it!!
KimSeghers says
Thank you, Gunjan! Hope you like the recipe. Kim
lesliesholly says
I think that looks delicious! The only eggplant recipe I have is vegetable chili. I am definitely going to make this. I love that it's a whole meal, not just a side dish.
KimSeghers says
Hi Leslie, I have never eaten eggplant in a chili before that sounds interesting! If you try this recipe let me know if you like it. Kim
Jen says
Looks great! I pinned it to try later. Love eggplant.
KimSeghers says
I love Eggplant too! Hope you like the recipe if you try it. Kim
KimSeghers says
Well Jacquelyn dear you should be in bed instead of stalking my site ..lol . And, that's what my recipe is suppose to do distract you and make you hungry so you will want to whip up your own. Thank you for stopping over and leaving me this lovely message! Have a great Sunday!!!!
Nikki says
This is awesome! I'll have to give it a try. Eggplant is so nutritious but my kids hate it as eggplant Parmesan. This looks like a crowd-pleaser for sure.
KimSeghers says
Thank you Nikki! And, you could add more rice to it and more spice however you like it! Well if you decide to make this recipe I hope your kids like it, my little one does but you never know with kids!! Have a great weekend, Kim