Indonesian Spicy Eggplants - Sambal Terong Balado

Premium Side 10 ingredients or less
4.5 · 2 ratings
Sambal Terong Balado is a dish from West Sumatra, Indonesia, where tender, pan-fried eggplants meet a bold chili paste of shallots, tomatoes, garlic, and hot red chilies. This dish strikes the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and savoury depth—one bite, and you’ll be hooked!
  • Total: 25 min
  • Prep: 10 min
  • Cook: 15 min

Premium recipe

This recipe is in the app

It's one of our premium recipes, made for the Pick Up Limes app. Start your free trial to cook it, along with over 1,900 others.

Try 7 days free

This recipe is in the app

Start your free trial to cook it, along with over 1,900 others. If it's not for you, cancel before it ends and you won't pay a thing.

Welcome back

Your membership has ended. Renew it to cook this recipe and pick up right where you left off.

No membership found

We couldn't find one for this account. Maybe you signed up with a different email? If not, you can start one below.

Something went wrong

We couldn't check your account just now. Please refresh the page and try again.

Enjoy the recipe!

Similar recipes

Leave a comment

Rate this recipe


Nino - Nov. 1, 2026, 4:59 p.m.

The best eggplant ever!


Antonija - Oct. 21, 2026, 9:11 p.m.


Mi - Oct. 7, 2026, 12:22 p.m.

Paired them up with some fava beans to add protein, really good!


Filippa Andersson - Sept. 24, 2026, 1:22 p.m.

Hi! Do you have any tpis on a protein sores to par whit this?

Bjarn Rothert - Sept. 24, 2026, 9:42 p.m.

I'd add some crispy tempeh chunks. Maybe toss them in a ketjap manis based glaze

PUL small logo PUL Team - Sept. 24, 2026, 10:01 p.m.

Thanks for the question, Filippa, and ooh yes, crispy tempeh would be such a yummy pairing, Bjarn! Our "Sambal Goreng Tempeh" or "Tempeh Bacem" are two ideas 🤤 Alternatively, you could serve it with some edamame or crispy tofu. In case it helps for more inspiration, our “Taste of Indonesia” recipe collection also has more recipe ideas ☺️

Filippa Andersson - Sept. 24, 2026, 10:02 p.m.

Thank you!


Jonathan - Sept. 23, 2026, 7:24 a.m.

This dish looks absolutely delicious. I have a question: in the description of says to use dried Kaffir lime leaves but on the image the fresh frozen ones seem to be used. I never tried the dry leaves but I understood that the fresh frozen leaves have much more flavor as well.

PUL small logo PUL Team - Sept. 23, 2026, 5 p.m.

Oohh, great question, Jonathan, and great eye! Indeed, the leaves shown in the photo are fresh kaffir lime leaves. I've updated the recipe accordingly, though worth mentioning that dried works too (I'd just add a little more if dried is what you have on hand, as the flavour is a tiny bit less aromatic than fresh). Thanks so much for pointing this out and helping us improve our recipes ☺️🌿

Free mini eBook

Quick Start to Plant-Based Eating

40+ pages with 15 fan-favourite recipes, a pantry essentials list, and beginner tips to kick-start your plant-based eating journey.

By signing up, you agree to receive emails from us and accept our terms of use and privacy policy.