Karniyarik (Stuffed Eggplant)
A Turkish dinner built around eggplants and ground beef — on the table in 60 minutes.
✓ USDA-verified nutrition data
420 calories
24g protein
22g carbs
28g fat
6g fiber
Ingredients
- 4 Eggplants
- 0.75 lb Ground beef
- 1 Onion
- 3 Tomatoes
- 1 Bell pepper
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 0.33 cup Olive oil
- 0.25 cup Parsley
- 2 tsp Salt
Steps
- Halve the eggplants lengthwise and score the flesh deeply without piercing the skin. Salt generously and rest 20 minutes to draw out bitterness, then pat dry.
- Fry the eggplant halves in the olive oil, flesh-side down, until golden and collapsing — about 6 minutes. They should be soft enough to dent with a spoon.
- Brown the beef with the chopped onion, pepper, and garlic. Stir in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and salt, and simmer 10 minutes into a thick, savory filling.
- Scoop the eggplant flesh gently to make boats, keeping the shells intact. Pile the meat filling high into each one — karniyarik means “split belly,” and it should look generously stuffed.
- Top each with a tomato slice and a strip of pepper. Pour 1 cup of hot water around (not over) the eggplants in a baking dish.
- Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes, basting once, until the tops caramelize. Serve with rice to catch the rich pan juices.