Aubergine salad

Tips: Making the perfect aubergine salad

Explore our hand-picked tips to improve your aubergine salad. Each suggestion aims to make the salad as pleasing to taste as it is to look at.

Selecting the best aubergines

Choose aubergines that are firm with smooth, shiny skin. A consistent colour indicates freshness and quality. Opt for smaller aubergines, as they are usually sweeter and less bitter than larger ones. Check the weight of the aubergines. Those that feel heavier for their size tend to have more flesh and fewer seeds, giving a meatier texture that withstands griddling. Avoid any with discolouration or bruises, which can signal spoilage and affect taste and texture.

Enjoy a refreshing chilled aubergine salad

For a refreshing salad on warm days, let the couscous and grilled aubergines cool before you start to put the salad together. This keeps everything fresh and crisp. Spread the couscous and aubergines on a wide, shallow dish to cool them faster, or briefly place them in the fridge. Once they are cool, combine them with the other ingredients.

Try our delightful aubergine salad

Our lovely aubergine salad promises Mediterranean-inspired flair with every bite. Salads in the Mediterranean kitchen are celebrated for their use of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains. Our rendition of the aubergine salad specifically builds on the taste and texture of fluffy couscous and grilled aubergines. With a slight char, aubergines add sweet, earthy goodness and subtle smoky notes. The aubergine is joined by a selection of crisp vegetables, crunchy nuts, and crumbled white cheese.

While the aubergine salad can easily be enjoyed on its own, it is also great with juicy stuffed meatballs and tender meatballs with white cheese. Or try our crisp new potato salad and fresh spinach potato salad.

Served on a bed of soft and fluffy couscous

This aubergine salad is served on a bed of soft and fluffy couscous. These small grains with a mild nutty flavour pair brilliantly with the crisp and crunchy vegetables. The couscous absorbs the zesty lemon flavours and the tasty juices from both grilled and fresh vegetables.

Cheerful colours of red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber

The bold colours of red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber make this salad so much more appetising. Together, they almost form a rainbow of colours, giving you the confidence to present the aubergine salad as something more than just a simple side dish. Deep purple red onion slices contrast with the bright red tomatoes and crisp green cucumber. As a bonus, the sharpness of the red onion pairs well with the juicy and crisp bite of tomato and cucumber.

Crunch and flavour from pistachios and fresh flat-leaf parsley

Toasted pistachios and fresh parsley really are the cherry on top. Pistachios offer a satisfying bite and a deep, nutty flavour with a slight sweetness. They add a delicious contrast to the flat-leaf parsley, ensuring fresh, herby flavours with a bit of crunch in every bite.

With Za’atar to enhance the flavour

Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend known for its earthy and tangy flavours. When sprinkled over the aubergine and onion, it adds a distinct aromatic flavour with a lemony brightness. The spice blend typically combines thyme, oregano, and marjoram, which offer a woodsy flavour. The addition of toasted sesame seeds provides a subtle crunch and nuttiness, while sumac contributes a bright, tart note.

Add a personal touch

Variations breathe new life into your dishes, and our aubergine salad is no exception. Instead of parsley, try using mint for a cool taste, basil for sweetness, or coriander for a citrusy flavour. We use lemon juice to dress the salad, but for something with a bit more power, try a honey-mustard dressing, balsamic reduction, or a yoghurt-based dressing. 

Add more roasted vegetables to emphasise the deep, smoky flavours. Roasted red peppers impart a delightful sweetness and a subtle smoky undertone. You can also mix in fresh courgette ribbons, which introduce a crisp texture that contrasts beautifully with softer ingredients.

Toasted walnuts or almonds introduce a delightful nutty aroma and a satisfying crunch. The rich, buttery notes of walnuts make a splendid pairing with the smoky aubergine, while almonds add a subtle sweetness and a firm, crisp bite. Choosing between different nuts allows you to make subtle changes without altering the recipe too much.