How to Cook Okra Like a True Southerner
Updated: Jul. 11, 2022
Whether for its subtle, delectable flavor or its many health benefits, knowing how to cook okra just right is a skill you need for the summer.
It’s officially summer—and that means it’s okra season! This highly-underrated Southern side dish deserves more love, so we’re breaking down how to cook okra and reap all the rewards it has to offer.
What is Okra, Anyway?
For the unfamiliar, okra looks like a thick, long green pod. (It’s been nicknamed “ladies’ fingers” in some parts of the country.) The veggie is chock-full of vitamins and minerals like vitamin B, vitamin C, calcium and potassium, making things like this delicious roasted fresh okra recipe a fantastic addition to any meal.
Typically, May through September is the best time to pick up fresh okra, so keep your eyes peeled next time you’re at your local farmers market or grocery store. (You might have good luck at a farmer’s roadside stand, too.) You’ll want to look for smallish, firm okra pods that are free from blemishes or discoloration. To keep your okra at its freshest, be sure to put it in the fridge once you get home. Need an off-season okra fix? You can also buy this delicious member of the mallow family pre-chopped and frozen.
How Does Okra Taste?
If you haven’t had okra before, many people describe it as having a “grassy” flavor, or compare it to green beans.
Okra is more well known for its texture, which can simply be described as slimy. When you cut it open, you’ll find a viscous, gel-like substance that comes out, thanks to all the mucilage in the plant. But the slime doesn’t have to be a bad thing—it’s best to embrace it and harness its powers for good. Specifically, okra’s sliminess can really come in handy for thickening up a gumbo. (Don’t miss this seafood gumbo recipe—wow.)
But you can avoid the sliminess if you want, depending on how you prepare it. Many chefs recommend not cutting it too thinly, so you won’t have to deal with it as much. Plus, cooking okra at high temperatures effectively gets rid of the slime, which is why grilling and frying are popular options when considering how to cook okra.
Okra is most commonly found in gumbo recipes and fried up on its own and paired with another classic Southern dish, but can be included in stews, curries, vegetable side dishes and so much more.
Southern Okra Recipes
Southern Fried Okra
Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, this fried okra recipe is crunchy and addicting! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas
Corn Okra Creole
This dish is representative of my area of the country, and particularly the Texas-Louisiana border. The okra, corn and Creole seasonings are all popular here. —Ruth Aubey, San Antonio, Texas
Seafood Gumbo
Gumbo is one dish that makes Louisiana cuisine so famous. We live across the state line in Texas and can’t seem to get enough of this traditional gumbo recipe that features okra, shrimp, spicy seasonings and what is called the holy trinity—onions, green peppers and celery. This recipe calls for seafood, but you could also use chicken, duck or sausage. —Ruth Aubey, San Antonio, Texas
Roasted Fresh Okra
If you have picky eaters who worry about texture, roasted okra is marvelous. It's OK to crowd the pan. Okra shrinks as it cooks. —Anna Katsoulis, Greenville, North Carolina
Bayou Gulf Shrimp Gumbo
This recipe skips the traditional hard-to-find spices yet still delivers the true seafood flavor that’s beloved in the Louisiana bayou. —Wolfgang Hanau, West Palm Beach, Florida
Zesty Garbanzo Sausage Soup
Even the busiest home cooks will have time to prepare this Cajun-inspired soup. If your family prefers spicier flavors, use medium salsa instead of mild.
Okra Roasted with Smoked Paprika
When you want to cook okra without frying it, roast it with lemon juice for a lighter version. The smoked paprika gives it even more roasty oomph. —Lee Evans, Queen Creek, Arizona
Southern Seafood Gumbo
I tasted a similar dish at a local restaurant and later duplicated it pretty closely. I trimmed it down a bit and no one in my family seemed to mind. —Susan Wright, Champaign, Illinois
Shrimp Gumbo
A crisp green salad and crusty French bread complete this shrimp gumbo meal. I always have hot sauce available when I serve this and have found that the instant microwave rice packages make the process a little easier. —Jo Ann Graham, Ovilla, Texas
Authentic Cajun Gumbo
I learned to cook in Louisiana and I love to cook Cajun food. This cajun gumbo recipe is one of my favorites. —Paul Morris, Kelso, Washington
Creamy Sweet Corn with Okra
A bit of cream and a few crumbles of bacon lightly coat these delightful veggies the whole family will love. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sausage & Chicken Gumbo
This recipe for classic southern comfort food was the first thing I ever cooked for my girlfriend. It was simple to make but tasted gourmet—definitely love at first bite. —Kael Harvey, Brooklyn, NY
Turkey Shrimp Gumbo
This slimmed-down version of gumbo tastes just as hearty as the classic version. —Michael Williams, Westfield, New YorkHow to Cook Okra
There are plenty of ways to cook okra. You can serve it pickled, boiled, steamed, fried or even chopped up and served raw as a healthy, low-cal snack.
Editor’s tip: For minimal slime, make fewer cuts as you’re prepping your dish.
How to Cook Okra: Roasting
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh okra, trimmed and cut lengthwise in half
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Toss okra with oil, salt and pepper. Arrange in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan, cut side up.
- Roast 12-15 minutes or until tender and bottoms are lightly browned.
Editor’s tip: Want a pop of flavor? Toss with lemon juice, olive oil, smoked paprika and garlic powder before roasting.
How to Cook Okra: Frying
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups sliced fresh or frozen okra, thawed
- 3 tablespoons buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornmeal
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic herb seasoning blend
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- Oil for deep-fat frying
- Additional salt and pepper, optional
Directions
- Pat okra dry with paper towels. Place buttermilk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, seasoning blend and pepper. Dip okra in buttermilk, then roll in cornmeal mixture.
- In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat 1 in. of oil to 375°. Fry okra, a few pieces at a time, for 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Editor’s note: No need to worry about slime here! When okra is deep-fried, the high heat zaps the mucilage.
How to Cook Okra: Grilling
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium okra pods
- Metal or soaked wooden skewers
- Half a lemon
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Your favorite dipping sauce (we recommend remoulade or a zippy curry dip)
Directions
- Depending on the size of your okra, you can likely skewer the okra whole. For very large pods, thread the skewer lengthwise through the entire okra. If you want to fit more than one large okra on each skewer, you’ll need to slice the pods in half. With small- or medium-sized pods, things are easier; you can thread the skewer through the middle of the okra, fitting about eight pods per skewer.
- Prepare a gas or charcoal grill on the hottest heat setting, turning all the burners on high for a gas grill or lighting a full chimney of charcoal. Close the lid and allow the heat to build for 15 minutes.
- Place the okra skewers on the hottest part of the grill. Cook until they are lightly charred, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the okra from the grill and squeeze the lemon half over the skewers. Sprinkle the okra with kosher salt and serve hot with the dipping sauce of your choice.
Editor’s tip: If you’re weirded out by the slime, avoid chopping the okra and letting the liquid out. Don’t even trim off the stems. Your fears will soon be neutralized by the high heat of the grill, so keep the okra whole until you get there.
More Ways to Cook Okra
Okra’s mild flavor makes it a good canvas for bolder spices and flavorings, so feel free to sneak several okra pods into a curry. Whether you’re using okra to thicken up stews or gumbo, for home canning or roasted as an easy appetizer, you won’t regret incorporating these lovely little pods into your regular cooking routine.
More Southern Side Dish Recipes
Moist Corn Spoon Bread
Enjoy this easy take on a southern specialty that utilizes the convenience of a slow cooker. Here’s an excellent side dish for your next summer party or any special feast. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Southern Black-Eyed Peas
I find pork the secret to a good black-eyed pea recipe. A double dose of ham for flavor and slow and gentle cooking creates this perfect side dish. —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia
Hush Puppies
A fish dinner isn’t complete without a side of hush puppies, and my mom is well-known for this recipe. It's the best! —Mary McGuire, Graham, NC
Mom's Buttermilk Biscuits
These fluffy biscuits are so tasty slathered with butter or used to mop up every last drop of gravy off your plate. I can still see Mom pulling these tender gems out of the oven. —Vera Reid, Laramie, Wyoming
Old-Fashioned Green Beans
Mom would prepare homegrown green beans using this recipe and, boy, did they ever taste good! The bacon provides rich flavor and the brown sugar a touch of sweetness. This is one irresistible side dish. —Willa Govoro, St. Clair, MissouriSouthern Fried Okra
Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, this fried okra recipe is crunchy and addicting! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas
Make-Ahead Cornbread Dressing
Being from California, my family has always been big veggie eaters. I wanted to share a little taste of home with my in-laws so I created this dish for Thanksgiving. You don't have to let it sit overnight, but it's a nice make ahead Thanksgiving option and the flavors mesh more that way. —Patricia Broussard, Lafayette, Louisiana
Grilled Tomato with Fresh Corn
Grilling the tomatoes and corn makes this side dish feel special and it's so simple to do. I like to serve it with French bread, but it's "killer" dished up on its own. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Bacon Collard Greens
Collard greens are a staple vegetable of southern cuisine. This side dish is often eaten alongside smoked or salt-cured meats, such as ham hocks, pork or fatback. —Marsha Ankeney, Niceville, Florida
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
The recipe for these four-ingredient homemade buttermilk biscuits has been handed down for many generations. —Fran Thompson, Tarboro, North Carolina
Southern Green Beans with Apricots
Green beans and apricots have become a family tradition. Enhanced with balsamic vinegar, this dish will make your taste buds pop. —Ashley Davis, Easley, South Carolina
My Mother's Mac and Cheese
I remember my mother sending me to the store for 15 cents worth of cheese. The butcher would cut off a slice from a gigantic wheel covered with a wax-coated cloth. Mother would then blend that cheese into this tasty dish. Today, the memory of her cooking is like food for my soul. —Phyllis Burkland, Portland, Oregon
Black-Eyed Pea Tomato Salad
Spending time in the kitchen with my late aunt was so much fun because she was an amazing cook and teacher. This black-eyed pea salad was one of her specialties. It is easy to make and is a nice alternative to pasta or potato salad. Add cooked cubed chicken breast to make it a meal on its own. —Patricia Ness, La Mesa, California
Lemon-Garlic Lima Beans
When I was growing up on Cyprus, my mother would often make this side dish to have with roast lamb. Although I hated lima beans when I was a kid (who didn't?), I love them now. They always remind me of home. —Paris Paraskeva, San Francisco, California
Grilled Corn Medley
Who knew a store-bought dressing could add so much flavor? This medley tastes delightful with garden-fresh veggies. Feel free to sub in your favorites and let the grill and the dressing do the rest! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Easy Biscuit Muffins
These simple biscuits are made with readily available ingredients—you’d never know there’s mayonnaise in them! If you adapt this recipe for jumbo-sized muffin tins, be sure to give them a little more baking time. —Taryn Ellis, Wyoming, Michigan
Spring Onion Pimiento Cheese Grits
Grits were a breakfast staple when I was growing up. Even today, we still have them about three times a week. The trick with grits is the more you whisk, the creamier they'll be. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Zesty Sugar Snap Peas
Lemon pepper and garlic make these crisp-tender sugar snap peas flavorful and a nice accompaniment to a variety of entrees. You'll come to rely on this six-ingredient recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Buttery Horseradish Corn on the Cob
For a July Fourth barbecue, I whipped up a butter and horseradish topping for grilled corn. People actually formed a line to get seconds. —Trish Loewen, Bakersfield, California
Pickled Green Tomato Relish
When I'm left with green tomatoes at the end of summer, I reach for this recipe. Friends and family are so happy to receive the sweet-sour relish that they often return the empty jar and ask for a refill! —Mary Gill, Florence, Oregon
Sour Cream Cut-Out Biscuits
After trying different ways to make biscuits without being completely satisfied, I decided to incorporate sour cream. Success! Split while warm, butter and enjoy. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, ON
Truly Tasty Turnips with Greens
These savory greens are a hit at every church dinner I take them to. Adjust the seasonings as you please to make this recipe your own. —Amy Inman, Hiddenite, North Carolina
Fried Green Tomato Stacks
This dish is for lovers of red and green tomatoes. When I ran across the recipe, I just had to try it and it proved to be so tasty! —Barbara Mohr, Millington, Michigan
Chipotle Lime Corn Cobs
In Mexico, grilled corn sometimes comes slathered in mayonnaise, rolled in grated cheese and served with lime and chili powder. This is my family's take on the dish, with our own flavor enhancements. —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California
Warm Tasty Greens with Garlic
My farm box had too many greens, so I had to use them up. This tasty idea uses kale, tomatoes and garlic in a dish that quickly disappears. —Martha Neth, Aurora, Colorado
Green Tomato Chowchow
My grandmom’s long-cherished chowchow has Pennsylvania Dutch roots. The pickled relish of cabbage, onions and peppers is tart and sweet with a smidge of spice. —Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida
Colorful Cornbread Salad
When my garden comes in, I harvest the veggies for potluck dishes. I live in the South, and we think bacon and cornbread make everything better, even salad! —Rebecca Clark, Warrior, Alabama
Beans 'n' Caramelized Onions
Brown sugar, bacon and cider vinegar season this simple side. I often make it for family and friends, and it never fails to please!—Jill Heatwole, Pittsville, Maryland
Grilled Street Corn
Mexican food is my grandmother’s favorite. I wanted a perfect side for her legendary tacos, and this chile-lime grilled corn turned out to be just right. —Ashley Crainshaw, Shawnee, Kansas
Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon
A real Southern favorite, black-eyed peas are traditionally served on New Year's Day to bring good luck. The bacon and thyme in my mom’s recipe make them extra special. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Fresh Tomato Relish
My two grown sons actually eat this as a salad, but that's a bit too hot for me! The recipe's from my late husband's mother, and I haven't varied it over the years. I usually make a batch as soon as the first tomatoes of the season are ready. —Lela Baskins, Windsor, Missouri
Tangy Bacon Green Beans
My grandmother’s Pennsylvania Dutch-style recipe turns plain old green beans into a tangy cross between three-bean and German potato salads. —Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, Florida
Cheddar Corn Biscuits
Everyone asks for these cheesy corn biscuits, especially when I serve soup. If you're lucky and have leftovers, rewarm them and pass the butter and jam. —Susan Braun, Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Fire and Ice Tomatoes
You won't miss the salt in this refreshing tomato salad! It's well-seasoned with cayenne pepper, mustard seed and vinegar but not the least bit spicy. This dish is always a hit at potlucks. —Nan Rickey, Yuma, Arizona
Chili 'n' Cheese Grits
Although I live in a big city, I'm really a country cook. Most of our friends laugh about eating grits, but there's never any leftovers from this recipe. —Rosemary West, Las Vegas, Nevada
Summertime Tomato Salad
My crazy good salad has cherry tomatoes, squash and blueberries together in one bowl. Then I layer on the flavor with fresh corn, red onion and mint. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
Pickled Green Beans
This recipe produces zippy little pickled green beans, preserving my veggies for months to come ... if they last that long. I crank up the heat a bit with cayenne pepper. —Marisa McClellan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cherry Tomato Salad
This recipe evolved from a need to use the bumper crops of delicious cherry tomatoes we grow. It's one of my favorite cherry tomato recipes, especially at cookouts. —Sally Sibley, St. Augustine, Florida
Grandma's Southern Collard Greens
My grandmother made the best southern collard greens recipe in the world. Eating them with a slice of buttermilk cornbread is pure bliss. —Sherri Williams, Crestview, Florida
Marina's Golden Corn Fritters
Just one bite of these fritters takes me back to when my kids were young. Nowadays for our get-togethers, I sometimes triple the recipe. Serve fritters with maple syrup or agave nectar. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Zesty Garlic Green Beans
These green beans travel so well because they can either be served at room temperature or reheated at the party. —Christine Bergman, Suwanee, Georgia
Creole Cornbread
Cornbread is a staple of Cajun and Creole cuisine. This version is an old favorite, and it really tastes wonderful. I found the recipe in the bottom of my recipe drawer. —Enid Hebert, Lafayette, Louisiana
Artichoke Tomato Salad
For a little zip, crumble feta over the top of this artichoke salad. Add shredded rotisserie chicken for a beautiful main dish. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, ArizonaRoasted Fresh Okra
If you have picky eaters who worry about texture, roasted okra is marvelous. It's OK to crowd the pan. Okra shrinks as it cooks. —Anna Katsoulis, Greenville, North Carolina
Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits
In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I'm sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tomato-Onion Green Beans
Fresh green beans are the stars of this healthy side. Serve with grilled chicken, pork tenderloin or seafood for a delicious end to a busy day. —David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Tomatoes with Buttermilk Vinaigrette
We make the most of tomatoes when they are in season and plentiful, and I love an old-fashioned homemade dressing with summery taste. —Judith Foreman, Alexandria, Virginia
Collard Greens & Beans
I never tried collard greens until a friend gave me this recipe that calls for bacon and pinto beans. Now I look forward to serving this Southern staple on Thanksgiving. —April Burroughs, Vilonia, Arkansas
Garden Tomato Salad
For as long as I can remember, Mom made a salad of tomatoes and cucumbers. Now I make it whenever beautiful tomatoes are in reach. —Shannon Arthur, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Quick Buttermilk Cornbread
The tattered recipe card for this buttermilk cornbread proves it's been a family favorite for years. It's my daughter's top request. —Judy Sellgren, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Originally Published: July 27, 2021
