19 Best Okra Recipes

Okra is an extremely popular ingredient in southern cooking, and after trying these recipes it will be easy to see why! Many people shy away from it because they don’t know how to cook okra, but there are lots of easy ways to prepare it!

From fabulous fried appetizers to hearty gumbos and curries- there are recipes with okra to satisfy everyone’s taste!

If you’re wondering what to do with okra, these okra recipes have you covered!

1. Garlic Roasted Okra

If you are new to Okra or serving it to guests who may not have tried it before- this is the best okra recipe to start with!
This tasty and tender Garlic Roasted Okra is full of flavor, seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, and salt.

To add a little heat, try adding a little cayenne pepper! For another interesting spin, use Berbere seasoning instead of paprika.

The okra can be cut in half into two lengthwise pieces or chopped into small discs- cooks choice!

Leaving them whole may result in a slimmer texture, so it is recommended to cut them for a crispy yet tender finished product.

2. Fried Okra

Fried Okra is a true southern favorite, and this is one of the most popular methods of cooking okra! This is just as good (if not better!) than any of the fried okra dishes you can get at a restaurant!

Slice up your fresh okra pods, coat them in deliciously seasoned cornmeal, and fry to a perfect, golden crisp!

Not a cornmeal fan? Feel free to substitute a breadcrumb/flour mixture or half flour/half cornmeal! Add some cayenne pepper if you want some spice or any other seasoning you love!

3. Pickled Okra

Are you a big pickle fan? If so-this will be one of the best okra recipes you’ll ever try!

With pickling spices like celery, coriander, and mustard seeds combined with garlic, lemon, and vinegar- the mouthwatering flavor is sure to please any pickle lover’s palate.

Feel free to use your own pickle-spice combination if you have already mastered your favorite!

This recipe will make 4-pint jars of pickles that can last up to a year when properly sealed and stored in a cool closet!

4. Easy Baked Okra

If you’re in search of easy okra recipes, this is the one for you! With prep time and cook time totaling only 25 minutes, this is the perfect, quick and easy side dish for dinner!

Seasoned with paprika, salt, and a pinch of cayenne, then baked- the Okra comes out perfectly flavored, tender, and delicious.

You’ll know it’s done when it is lightly browned and tender, with a pleasant seared aroma.

Try adding some peppers onions, and garlic for a more robust dish!

5. OKRA AND TOMATOES — A SOUTHERN CLASSIC

The okra and tomato stew is a classic southern dish, and it’s easy to see why so many make it a staple in their meal rotation!

Fresh okra and tomatoes are flavored with bacon, onion, garlic, and cider vinegar, all simmered together to create one of the most delicious okra dishes you will ever try!

You can even use frozen tomatoes and canned tomatoes in the off-season, or for a shortcut.

The bacon adds a fabulous smoky flavor, balanced perfectly by the fresh herbs and pinch of sugar.

Best of all, this dish comes together in just 40 minutes! Serve with some cornbread to make the meal complete.

6. Grilled Okra Recipe

This is the perfect side dish for your next cookout! Simple yet scrumptious, grilled okra will take your Barbeque to a whole new level.

Grill the okra until the skin begins to caramelize, then flip and do the same to the other side.

Delicious with a little simple salt and pepper, but add any other seasoning that you love or dip in your favorite condiment!

Grilled okra goes great with pulled pork, sausage, burgers, or whatever else the grill-master is grilling up!

7. Southern Fried Okra

If you’re in the mood for something deliciously crispy- this is one of the tastiest recipes for okra!

This Southern Fried Okra recipe is super easy to make.

Dipped in an egg wash, then a combination of cornmeal, flour, and cayenne pepper- the fresh okra is then fried in piping hot oil, just for a few minutes until the coating is perfectly crisp.

Serve warm with a pinch of salt, and enjoy before the rest of your family devours them!

8. Okro Soup with Spinach

Okro soup is a very popular and well-loved West African stew, and it’s easy to see why!

Okra soup is often classically made with beef and fish, depending on what is local and in season.

This recipe uses smoked turkey wings, dry fish, crawfish, and shrimp. Simmered along with red bell peppers, onions, habanero peppers, locust beans, and okra- the resulting flavor is absolutely marvelous.

Try adding butter beans or white beans for a less vicious, or mince your okra for more viciousness!

9. Easy Creole Okra and Shrimp

If you are thinking of trying one of the easy okra recipes- how about whipping up a quick and easy Cajun-style stew for your next gathering?!

Shrimp and andouille sausage is simmered with peppers, onions, diced tomatoes, and okra, then seasoned with a fiery Cajun seasoning.

Try adding chopped celery and minced garlic, using Rotel tomatoes, or adding a splash of tobacco sauce for an extra kick!

10. EASY & AUTHENTIC BHINDI MASALA (OKRA CURRY)

If you’ve been looking for Pakistani and Indian-style recipes for Okra, this Bhindi Masala recipe will blow you away!

Fresh Okra is stir-fried and mixed into a savory onion and tomato curry, flavored with a delicious combination of garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric and red chilli.

Pro tip: let the onions fully caramelize for optimal flavor! Garnish with cilantro and a squeeze of lemon, and serve with naan or a side of rice!

11. Seafood and Okra Gumbo

Gumbo is one of the most popular fresh okra dishes, and once you taste this Seafood and Okra Gumbo, you’ll see why!

A flavorful roux is filled with fresh shrimp, crabmeat, and oysters and seasoned with Creole seasoning, hot sauce, thyme, and white pepper.

Okra is the key ingredient in this gumbo, acting as a thickener and adding a tasty flavor.

While stirring the roux may seem like a lot of work, be patient! The end result is beyond worth it.

12. Okra Stew

Warm up with a comforting, hearty bowl of Yakhnit Bamyek- AKA Okra Stew.

This tasty one-pot Lebanese-style dish is made with savory stewed tomatoes, sautéed onions, garlic, cilantro, tomato sauce, beef, and okra.

To cut down on the sliminess of the okra, try adding fresh lemon juice!

With so many delicious vegetables, you could even make this one vegan by leaving out the meat.

13. Southern Okra

If you are trying out some new healthy okra recipes- this is a great one to start with! It is not only easy to prepare but ready in just 30 minutes!

Green bell peppers, onions, fresh tomatoes, and okra are sautéed to perfection with a little sugar mixture to cut down on the acidity.

Serve with rice for a nutrient-rich meal everyone will enjoy!

14. Skillet-Roasted Spiced Okra

This recipe promises crunchy and crispy okra by skillet-roasting it in hot oil until browned.

It is seasoned with a delicious combination of Indian spices including paprika, cumin, coriander, fennel, turmeric, cinnamon and fenugreek.

Serve it up with some cooked brown lentils blended with yoghurt, cucumber and arugula puree!

15. Crispy Baked Okra Chips

If you are a potato chip lover- this is a great alternative to try! Fresh okra is baked until light and crunchy, resulting in a crispy, salty and delicious homemade chip.

The secret ingredient here is vinegar, which reduces the sliminess of the okra and gives the chips a tasty, tangy taste.

Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking- try chipotle lime or Cajun!

16. Curried Okra and Eggplant with Chick Peas

Ready in under 30 minutes, this crave-able curry is full of fresh veggies and exotic Indian flavors.

Onion, ginger, and garlic are pureed and combined with black mustard seeds into a paste, sautéed with tomatoes, eggplant, chick-peas and okra until tender.

Season with garam masala (mix of cardamom, black pepper, cloves, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, and nutmeg) toward the end of the cooking process for optimal flavor and garnish with cilantro.

Serve with some fragrant and fluffy basmati rice for a satisfying supper.

17. Easy Rice and Okra

This is a great option if you are looking for easy okra recipes!

Okra and basmati rice are cooked with onions, garlic, and bell peppers then seasoned with turmeric, dried Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes.

Make this recipe your own by adding whatever veggies you love, like zucchini, spinach, or corn!

18. SMOKED SAUSAGE, TOMATOES AND OKRA SKILLET

Need a healthy, busy weeknight meal? Fresh okra recipes are a perfect choice, and this Smoked Sausage, Tomatoes, and Okra Skillet will not disappoint!

Sausage, tomatoes, okra, green onions, peppers, and corn are sautéed in bacon drippings (or cooking oil) and seasoned with brown sugar, paprika, and Cajun seasoning for a mouthwatering meal.

Add some hot sauce if you like a little more spice, and serve over rice!

19. Corn Okra Creole

For a great summer side dish that is sure to impress your cookout guests, try making this Corn Okra Creole!

Corn, okra, onions, bell peppers, and diced tomatoes are combined with creole spices to make a fresh, healthy, and flavorful dish.

You can use any kind of Creole seasoning or Cajun seasoning- try Tony Chachere’s or Zatarains. Add a little Tabasco sauce for extra heat!

Serve it up with some crusty cornbread as the perfect complement to grilled chicken, steak, or pork!