Butternut Squash and Eggplant Stir Fry

Name: Butternut Squash and Eggplant Stir Fry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 2 cups diced butternut squash; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 eggplant (diced); 2 cups broccoli florets; 3 green onion (sliced, with white and green parts separated); 3 garlic cloves; 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (roughly chopped); 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce or coconut aminos; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon sesame oil

by Lisa Bryan — September 14, 2021 18 Comments

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Butternut squash, eggplant, and broccoli are quickly sauteed in a veggie-forward stir-fry, then doused in a sweet-and-savory balsamic soy sauce. It’s one sensational vegetarian side dish.

A bowl of butternut squash and eggplant stir fry

I’ll admit, this was a bit of a throw-together idea with fridge leftovers. But somehow these ideas always surprise me and turn into the best meals, like my Mediterranean ground beef stir fry. Who knew butternut squash, eggplant, and broccoli could make for one heck of a vegetable stir fry!

The veggies are perfectly cooked in a giant wok, then coated in a sticky sweet sauce that honestly tastes like restaurant quality (but even better). It’s lighting fast, makes for one tasty side dish, and bonus – can be turned into a full meal with a few simple additions (which I’ll show you below).

Ingredients for butternut squash and eggplant stir fry on a table

Ingredients For The Best Stir Fry Vegetables

This stir fry shines bright with a few of fall’s favorite vegetables. Here’s what’s in it.

Butternut Squash: You’ll need about two cups of diced butternut squash, which you should be able to get from one small to medium-sized squash.
Eggplant: Just one eggplant is needed for the perfect ratio with butternut squash.
Broccoli: When it comes to a veggie stir fry, you can never go wrong with adding broccoli florets for additional crunchy greens!
Green Onion & Garlic: This pairing always gives a fresh and delicious punch of flavor.
Thyme: Fresh thyme leaves add that little something extra. You could also swap in sage or rosemary.

It’s All About the Stir Fry Sauce

A good stir-fry sauce is a solid balance of tangy, sweet, and savory. Here’s my version that perfectly compliments this group of vegetables.

Soy Sauce: Since I’m gluten-free, Tamari is always my first choice for soy sauce. But you can also use coconut aminos for a soy-free version.
Balsamic Vinegar: Just one tablespoon is needed for a mellow tart kick.
Honey: A key ingredient to help thicken the sauce and give it a hint of sweetness.
Sesame Oil: Helps to tie all the flavors of this sauce together.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to Make this Butternut Squash and Eggplant Stir-Fry Recipe

Did I mention this stir fry recipe only takes about 30 minutes to make? The only hard part is chopping up the vegetables (especially the butternut squash). If you need some guidance on how to do that, I’ve got a post on how to peel and cut butternut squash. Otherwise, grab your wok (or large pan), and let’s get to it!

Sauteing butternut squash in a wok for a stir fry — Caramelize the butternut squash

Sauteing butternut squash and eggplant in a wok for a stir fry — Caramelize the butternut squash

Make the sauce. Stir together the soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and set aside.
Caramelize the butternut squash. Heat some oil in your wok and stir fry the butternut squash for about 5 minutes, until it has slightly caramelized edges.

Sauteing veggies in a wok for a stir fry — Add in the broccoli, green onion, and garlic

Stir fry veggies in a wok including butternut squash, broccoli, and eggplant — Add in the broccoli, green onion, and garlic

Add in the other veggies. Stir fry the eggplant with a bit of oil first, then add the broccoli, white parts of the green onion, and garlic. Continue cooking until the broccoli is perfectly tender.
Finish it off! Add in the sauce, rest of the green onions, thyme, and give it all a stir.

A Few Ways to Turn this Into a Hearty Dinner Idea

There’s endless possibilities when you’ve got a stir fry. All you need is a little creativity. Give one of these options a try!

Add vegetarian proteins into the mix. Chickpeas, lentils, or tofu chunks are great ways to add a hearty dose of protein.
Serve over grains. Top a large spoonful of this onto a bed of white or brown rice. You’re going to love how the rice tastes when it soaks up some of the sauce.
Turn it into a wrap. Trust me, this makes for one delicious stuffing. Especially if you plan ahead and chop the vegetables on the smaller side. And yes, you can use both lettuce or tortilla wraps.

A wok with butternut squash and eggplant stir fry

How to Store this Stir Fry

Leftovers of this stir fry taste just as good fresh (honestly). So count your lucky stars if you have leftovers. Here’s two ways you can store this.

To store: This will last in the fridge for 4 to 5 days in an airtight container.
To freeze: Although the eggplant might get a little soft, freezing this is an option. Just store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

Oh Yes, There’s More Easy Vegetable Side Dishes

From roasting to sauteing, here are delicious (and speedy) ways to get veggies onto the dinner table.

And if you have leftover cubed butternut squash, you can roast the butternut squash and toss into other meals throughout the week!

If you make this butternut squash and eggplant stir fry, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.

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