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Whether you want to create simple sides or hearty mains, these okra recipes will take you on a flavorful voyage. Don’t just push this green veggie to the side of your plate; make it the star.
Okra, often referred to as the “ladies’ fingers” of the vegetable world, is nothing short of a yummy superfood. With its vibrant green hue and unique texture, it’s a wonder that not everyone has fully embraced its potential.
If you haven’t made it a staple in your kitchen yet, it’s time to rethink your choices.
Adding okra to your meals is like granting your body a dose of health with each bite. Every pod is packed with dietary fiber, helping with digestion and promoting longer-lasting fullness. Moreover, it contains Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and folate, playing a crucial role in overall health.
It’s not just a vegetable; it’s a source of vitality.
While okra has deep roots in Indian cuisine, its popularity knows no boundaries. Okra also holds a special place in Filipino households. Often prepared as a side dish, we usually pair it with a soy sauce dip that adds a savory touch to its natural flavors.
Our preferred cooking methods? Steaming, grilling and sauteing. But you know what, I didn’t like okra when I was younger, mainly because of its slimy texture.
As I grew older, I learned to love it and realized that its sliminess can be managed with the proper cooking methods. It’s funny how a vegetable I once avoided is now a staple in my meals.
Okra tastes great alone, but the right spices make it even better. It goes well with spices like cumin, garlic, and chili. It also pairs nicely with tomatoes and onions. And adding lemon or tamarind gives it a tangy boost!
Create mouthwatering okra dishes that your taste buds will thank you for!
Nigerian Okra Soup
These exciting okra recipes will redefine how you enjoy healthy vegetables. Try this flavorful okra soup! To whip up this Nigerian dish, gather five cups of chopped fresh okra, smoked fish, red bell peppers, spinach, a mix of spices, and other easy-to-find ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Nigerian Okra Soup
Air Fried Okra
These okra recipes can be a fantastic introduction for those unfamiliar with this green vegetable. Swap deep frying for the air fryer and create amazing fried okra – it’s a breeze!
Make a mixture of cornmeal, flour, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper. Ensure your okra slices have a heavy cornmeal coating, then lay them out in the air fryer basket. Let the fryer work its magic and enjoy!
Get the Recipe: Air Fried Okra
Roasted Okra and Herbed Quinoa Bowl
Craving a wholesome, hearty meal? Give this roasted okra with quinoa, quail eggs, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and plenty of fresh ingredients a shot. Feel free to add your favorite toppings, too. This is bound to become one of your favorite okra recipes!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Okra and Herbed Quinoa Bowl
Jambalaya
Okra recipes and tomatoes blend wonderfully, creating a perfect summer meal. Check out this delicious dish: frozen okra, tomato sauce, chicken broth, grilled shrimp, and smoked sausage all over a bowl of rice. Savor the flavor of okra with authentic Cajun vibes in just 35 minutes.
Okra Rice Casserole
If you love a satisfying crunch, you’ll adore crispy okra recipes! Ready to experience a new spin on a Southern classic? Craft your own version of a Southern staple with this okra rice bowl! It’s got okra, tomatoes, vegan butter, black pepper, white rice, and a blend of flavorful seasonings.
Get the Recipe: Okra Rice Casserole
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Okra and Tomatoes
Not everyone’s into okra, especially kids, but these recipes might nudge them to try this tasty vegetable. This delicious vegetable dish is made with common ingredients like tomatoes, green onions, granulated sugar, and, surprisingly, bacon fat for an extra kick of flavor!
If you don’t have bacon fat, olive oil work great, too.
Get the Recipe: Okra and Tomatoes
Okra Fries
Explore more okra recipes for healthier appetizers and snacks! This fried okra recipe works great as an everyday snack.
Whether you opt for the oven or air fryer, you can expect it to come out incredibly delicious! I think these okra fries would pair wonderfully with a honey mustard dip or hummus.
Get the Recipe: Okra Fries
Bhindi Bhaji
Win your family over with the most delicious okra recipes, perfected with a blend of spices. It’s time to plan your next curry night with this Bhindi Bhaji and relish a fantastic okra dish that’s free from sliminess and rich in flavors.
Yes, you can savor restaurant-quality Indian food right in the comfort of your home!
Get the Recipe: Bhindi Bhaji
Note: All photos included in this roundup are used with permission. Support these exceptional creators by exploring or sharing this article.🙌🏾
Sauteed Okra Recipe
Looking to try another Indian okra recipe? This dish is quite similar to what we prepare at home, often served as a side with fried or grilled fish.
It’s so simple, with just chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric, water, and oil. If you want to kick up the flavor, a splash of lemon juice or minced garlic does the trick!
Get the Recipe: Sauteed Okra Recipe
Okra Stir Fry (Vendakkai Curry)
Get ready for an okra stir fry that’ll convert you and your loved ones into okra fans! While fresh okras are the top picks for this dish, you can also use frozen ones. Skip the thawing – just throw them straight into a sizzling pan.
Get the Recipe: Okra Stir Fry (Vendakkai Curry)
Crispy Vegan Okra Fries (Kurkuri Bhindi)
Okra recipes infuse every bite with rich flavors and seasonings. These okra fries feature an irresistible blend of spices. They are crispier and more addictive! Make sure to pick long, slender okras and slice them thin for the ultimate crunch. Thinner slices mean crunchier bites.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Vegan Okra Fries (Kurkuri Bhindi)
Bamya Middle Eastern Okra Stew
Let these okra recipes lead you to create the tastiest stews and soups. This Middle Eastern okra and tomato stew is ready in under an hour, with simple ingredients like ground turmeric, bay leaves, ground cumin, and vegetable stock. Pair it with white rice for a satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Bamya Middle Eastern Okra Stew
Bhindi Masala
From appetizers to main courses, okra recipes can steal the spotlight at any gathering. This Bhindi Masala is vegan and gluten-free, perfect with rice or bread. If you’re busy, you can also prepare them in advance. Simply keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Get the Recipe: Bhindi Masala
Roasted Okra with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
Top-notch ingredients can transform even the simplest okra recipes, giving them extra flavor and personality. In this recipe, it’s all about bacon! What a fun way to introduce this veggie to kids. For this, grab bacon slices, bacon fat, honey, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and whole okra pods.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Okra with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
Oven-Fried Okra
No air fryer? No problem! You can still whip up fried okra without deep frying. This recipe shows you how to bake okra in a cast iron skillet or on a sheet pan. If you want crunchier results, don’t forget to dip the okras in egg whites before coating them with cornmeal.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Fried Okra
Gambian Peanut Stew (Domoda Recipe)
To make your friends love your tasty creations, go for okra recipes packed with savory goodness. This Gambian peanut stew has a touch of spiciness and a hint of sweetness, all thanks to peanut butter and a blend of spices.
Alongside okra, you’ll need tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, and chopped peanuts. It’s a veggie-filled dish perfect for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Gambian Peanut Stew (Domoda Recipe)
Creole Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
After a long, tiring day, there’s nothing quite like a comforting bowl of gumbo! This dish is packed with vegetables and meat, providing you a boost of energy.
Chicken and sausage join forces with okra, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and celery, all jazzed up with various seasonings and spices. Just listing the ingredients already gets my taste buds excited!
Get the Recipe: Creole Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Stuffed Okra (Bharwa Bhindi Recipe)
Bharwa Bhindi is a cherished Indian dish featuring okras stuffed with a delectable blend of spices and filling. We all know not everyone’s an okra fan, but this recipe can change that! Its spicy stuffing includes dry mango powder, ground cumin, coriander powder, and Garam masala.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Okra (Bharwa Bhindi Recipe)
Grandma’s Homemade Vegetable Soup
Okra recipes are great for exploring vegan and vegetarian dishes. Start with this delicious vegetable soup that will remind you of your grandma’s cooking!
Along with okra, it’s got carrots, tomatoes, corn, and potatoes. If you’re after protein, add shredded chicken breast or serve it with sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Homemade Vegetable Soup
FAQ About Okra Recipes
What are some good okra recipes?
There’s a wide range of okra recipes to explore, ideal for main courses, appetizers, and snacks. Check out the Nigerian okra soup for a wholesome and comforting option you can make today.
What is the best way to eat okra?
The best way to eat okra is to cook it in a manner that enhances its natural flavor while minimizing its sliminess, such as grilling, roasting, or stir-frying.
Why do you soak okra in vinegar?
Soaking okra in vinegar reduces its sliminess and improves its flavor.
Why do you put baking soda in okra?
Baking soda can increase the sliminess of okra due to its alkaline characteristics. Some people use it when they want a thicker consistency in dishes like gumbo.
Conclusion
It’s incredible how these okra recipes introduce us to new cooking methods and flavor combinations.
What is even more amazing is that they give us a taste of international cuisine. Okra has always been a staple in our home, but we’ve only used chili, salt and pepper to season it.
I think incorporating more spices into our dishes, no matter how simple they are, can provide them with a whole new level of dimension.
Which recipes in this curated list do you want to try first? For me – vegetable soups and okra fries!
Nigerian Okra Soup
If you're looking for a delicious and hearty soup recipe, look no further than this Nigerian okra soup. It's packed with flavor and will leave you feeling satisfied. Trust me, this dish is a culinary delight worth giving a try!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 5 cups chopped/grated okra
- 3 Red bell peppers
- 2 Scotch bonnets
- 2 cayenne peppers
- 1 lb meat of choice tripe
- ½ lb smoked fish
- 1/2 cup palm oil
- 2 tbsp iru (locust beans)
- 1 cup spinach (optional)
Spices
- 1 tsp salt to taste
- 2 seasoning cubes
- Potash (kaun) (Optional)
- stock cubes
- crayfish powder (optional)
Instructions
- Wash tripe (or meat of choice) and place it into a pot or pressure cooker. Season with salt, pepper, and bouillon powder/seasoning cubes. Cook until tender and set aside.
- In a blender, blend scotch boner and bell peppers into a paste. Set aside.
- Blend Red bell peppers, scotch bonnet,1/2 onion and cayenne peppers and transfer to an empty pot to boil for 15 minutes( or till dry).
- Add palm oil to a cooking pot on medium heat. Add locust beans (iru) and fry. About 3-5 minutes.
- Next, add the pepper mixture and potash to the pot of iru and palm oil. Cook until most of the water has evaporated. The sauce should look darker red.
- Add your pre-cooked tripe (or meat of choice).
- Add the broth from the tripe. Cook for about 10 minutes.
- Add the salt and seasoning powder. Cook for about 1 minute.
- Now add your grated/chopped okra. Let it cook on medium heat (do not cover the pot).
- Finally, add your chopped spinach. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning and serve hot with your choice of swallow like eba, pounded yam, semovita, or amala.
Notes
- If you want a very viscous consistency, mince the okra pods into very small sizes to get a finer texture.
- And, if you don't like the sliminess of okro, you can chop the pods in big sizes to get a coarser texture.
- Make sure to keep the cooker on medium heat as okra soup does not need a lot of heat that can burn off its essential nutrients.
- If you are using frozen spinach, you should thaw it and remove excess water.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 712Total Fat: 44gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 182mgSodium: 1589mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 8gSugar: 12gProtein: 59g
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.
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Are you excited to try more interesting meals featuring vegetables and fruits? These innovative recipes prove that nutritious ingredients can be incorporated into flavorful, colorful meals even the kids will love!
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