A while back, Trader Joe’s used to have a cool frozen product called eggplant cutlets that were sadly discontinued in 2019. Luckily, we’ve been lucky enough to find a faithful recreation of this recipe that reproduces these cutlets down to seasoned breadcrumbs. If you’re looking to experience the eggplant cutlet flavor that TJs offered years ago, you’ll love this recipe idea we’ve rediscovered for you.
Not your average copycat cutlet
It used to be that years ago, the internet was a wondrous place to share ideas and compare products. When it comes to Trader Joe’s, some things struck a nerve for being memorable for all the right reasons. To our dismay, it’s hard to forget how TJs eggplant cutlets got the final ax all too soon way back in late 2019. Yet for some innovative internet chefs, a recipe had surfaced long before it was discontinued.
According to the legend, this recipe recreation had been floating around for many years from recipe websites that have all disappeared. Now, this is the only recipe leftover that captures the Trader Joe’s flavor as faithfully as possible. If you remember how crazy people became over recreating the perfect McRib copycat, there used to be a time when getting the exact flavors was a near-science.
Aside from that, once you’ve created this amazing eggplant cutlet, what can you make with it? Here is one incredible recipe that is fast and effective. It’s perfect for lunches on the go or just for a personal snack. Either way, you can freeze these cutlets until you want to use them for future recipe ideas.
The Eggplant Cutlet Sandwich
Equipment
- Cooking sheet
- Pan
Ingredients
- 1 Panini roll (Rustic ready-to-bake version or Pita/tortilla)
- 3 Eggplant cutlets
- 2 One-quarter inch slices Ovoline Mozzarella (fresh)
- 1 Fire-roasted red pepper (half a pepper)
- 3-4 Basil leaves (fresh)
Instructions
- You want to take your Panini roll, and then slice it into one half down the center and put it on a cooking sheet. Put this into a heated (400 degrees Fahrenheit) oven until the top gets golden brown.
- Reheat your eggplant cutlets in a skillet using a lightly oiled pan on medium-high heat until nice and hot. If they are frozen, let them thaw beforehand and then place them in the skillet.
- Place your bottom half of the roll onto a serving place and put your fire-roasted red pepper (tomato/etc.) followed by one eggplant slice in the middle and two overlapping on each side.
- Top this with mozzarella cheese (add mayo or olive oil if you like) and then lay your basil leaves over this. Now you can crown your sandwich with the top of the roll and enjoy!
Nutrition
Breaded, fully cooked eggplant cutlets (for sandwiches or a very easy eggplant parmesan).
Customer Reviews of Trader Joe’s Frozen Eggplant Cutlets
Yvonne Feisty
One of my favorite appetizers is to cook these on a cookie sheet till golden and a bit crispy, sprinkle with a bit of parmesan, then serve with warm marinara to dip. I do wish they were a bit thicker though to use in an eggplant parmesan.
Lisa1966
One of our favorite items. No need to use extra oil, just heat up a pan or bake. Great just as they are, on pizza, in a sandwich or with cheese and tomato sauce. Simple after-school snack! I just wish they had a bigger box because I have to buy three at a time.
Christina Marie
This is not my favorite TJ product… be careful when using oil, the eggplant is already oily, so this can easily become a heavy dish.
Nancy Keeler
Very handy to use to make Eggplant Parmigiana when you don’t want to go to all the trouble of salting, rinsing, breading and frying the eggplant yourself.
Dianne Davis
My youngest daughter loves this!! I can’t eat eggplant any more (food allergies really stink!) and this makes her very happy because she makes her own mini eggplant pizzas out of these.
Christine N. Arroyo Feb 07, 2012
These are great and taste home made.
