Beef Eggplant Hash

8 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 1 h 45 m Total: 2 h Beginner
Eggplants—or as Cajuns say, brahams! This hearty beef and eggplant hash combines ground beef, tender eggplant, the holy trinity, and stewed tomatoes into a one-dish oven-baked meal that’s perfect over rice. Question—do you use a potato peeler or a paring knife to peel your eggplants?

Ingredients

8 servings
  • 1 1/2 pounds beef, diced
  • 1 1/2 pounds eggplant, peeled and diced
  • 1 1/2 ribs celery, chopped
  • 1 medium bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can stewed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • Salt and cayenne pepper to taste
  • Water

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Dice the beef into bite-sized pieces and season generously with salt and cayenne pepper.
  3. Peel and dice the eggplant into 1-inch cubes. Chop the celery, bell pepper, and onion. Mince the garlic.
  4. Place the seasoned beef and all chopped vegetables (celery, bell pepper, onion, garlic, and eggplant) in a 9.5x14-inch oblong baking dish.
  5. In a small bowl, mix the sugar into enough water to reach level with the ingredients in the dish. Pour the can of stewed tomatoes and the sugar water over the ingredients in the dish.
  6. Stir everything together to evenly distribute the ingredients and liquid throughout the dish.
  7. Bake uncovered in the preheated 400°F oven for 1 hour 45 minutes. Stir several times during baking to prevent drying out and ensure even cooking.
  8. Check periodically—if the mixture seems too dry, add more water to achieve desired thickness.
  9. Serve hot over rice.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my eggplant mushy?

A: Eggplant releases a lot of water as it cooks. Make sure you're stirring several times during baking and check the liquid level—if there's too much water, leave the dish uncovered and let some evaporate. The long baking time should concentrate the flavors.

Q: Can I use ground beef instead of diced beef?

A: Absolutely. Ground beef will work just fine and cook even faster. Just brown it slightly before adding to the dish if you want more texture, or mix it in raw and it'll cook through during the baking time.

Tips and Techniques

Don’t skip the sugar—it balances the acidity of the tomatoes and brings out the natural sweetness of the eggplant. Also, cutting the eggplant into uniform 1-inch cubes ensures even cooking.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • diced beef: ground beef
  • stewed tomatoes: diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes
  • fresh eggplant: frozen eggplant cubes

Equipment Needed

  • 9.5x14-inch oblong baking dish
  • Mixing bowl
  • Knife and cutting board

Historical Context

Eggplant became a staple in South Louisiana cooking, where it thrives in the hot climate. Cajuns affectionately call it “braham” (a regional term), and it shows up in everything from casseroles to fried side dishes.