13 Okra Recipes That Everyone Will Love

Delicately dubbed "lady fingers," this super pod is great in international stews, summer salads, pickled, and simply fried. Whichever way you like it, this collection of okra recipes is sure to please.

Published: Jul 2, 2014

In this recipe from The Dooky Chase Cookbook, chef Leah Chase uses okra (and lots of it) to thicken the dish.
Recipe: Okra Gumbo with Blue Crabs and Shrimp

There's a reason okra is a staple vegetable in Southern U.S., African, Indian, and Brazilian cuisines: It's super healthy — low in cals but chock full of vitamins A and C, fiber, and folic acid — and makes an excellent natural thickener for soups and stews. Delicately dubbed "lady fingers," this super pod is great in international stews, summer salads, pickled, and simply fried. Whichever way you like it, this collection of okra recipes is sure to please. Just love your veg? Check out this comprehensive guide to cooking vegetables and get them perfect every time.

Okra Gumbo with Blue Crabs and Shrimp

In this recipe from The Dooky Chase Cookbook, chef Leah Chase uses okra (and lots of it) to thicken the dish.

Recipe: Okra Gumbo with Blue Crabs and Shrimp

Okra Double Dippers

John Kernick

This okra gets not one but two coatings: Dip first in miso mayonnaise, then add crunch with sesame seeds or heat with fresh chiles.

Recipe: Okra Double Dippers

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Pork Chops with Grilled Okra Relish

Con Poulos

Pork chops get dressed up with an okra and pepper relish in this summertime dinner recipe.

Recipe: Pork Chops with Grilled Okra Relish

Cornmeal Fried Okra with Eggplant Dip

<p>"'Emerald' is one of the most tender okras and a natural choice for frying." <em> - Michael Paley, executive chef of Proof on Main in Louisville, Kentucky</em></p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="/recipefinder/cornmeal-fried-okra-eggplant-dip-recipe-clv0412"><b>Cornmeal Fried Okra with Eggplant Dip</b></a></p>

John Kernick

"'Emerald' is one of the most tender okras and a natural choice for frying." - Michael Paley, executive chef of Proof on Main in Louisville, Kentucky

Recipe: Cornmeal Fried Okra with Eggplant Dip

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Hot and Sour Okra Pickles

Ken Burris

These awesome habanero-spiced pickled okra are the perfect crunchy treat to turn anyone on to the beauty of this underappreciated vegetable.

Recipe: Hot and Sour Okra Pickles

Chicken-and-Okra Curry

Andrew Purcell

Lighten up! Substitute 2 tablespoons canola oil for the butter, and opt for light coconut milk, to save 170 calories and 20 grams of fat per serving.

Recipe: Chicken-and-Okra Curry

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Braised Chicken Gumbo

<p>Leftovers from <a href="/recipefinder/wine-tomato-braised-chicken-recipe-ew0111" target="_blank"><b>Wine and Tomato Braised Chicken</b></a> make this chicken gumbo an absolute breeze. The only prep you'll need to do is to dice a bell pepper and slice some okra if you're using fresh. That's it!</p><br />
<p><b>Recipe: </b><a href="/recipefinder/braised-chicken-gumbo-recipe-ew0111" target="_blank"><b>Braised Chicken Gumbo</b></a></p>

Ken Burris

Leftovers from Wine and Tomato Braised Chicken make this chicken gumbo an absolute breeze. The only prep you'll need to do is to dice a bell pepper and slice some okra if you're using fresh. That's it!

Recipe: Braised Chicken Gumbo

Pan-Roasted Corn and Okra

Fredrika Stjärne

"This is an easy way to bring height-of-summer cookout mojo to our favorite vegetables without fussing with a charcoal or gas grill," cookbook authors Matt and Ted Lee say. Cooking the corn and okra on the stove in a heavy skillet gives them a superb char.

Recipe: Pan-Roasted Corn and Okra

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Okra and Chickpea Tagine

<p>This quick and easy okra and chickpea stew is full of Moroccan flavors. The name "tagine" refers to the two-part, cone-shaped casserole dish in which countless slow-cooked Moroccan dishes are prepared. You don't need to prepare this in a tagine dish — it works well in a large saucepan — but if you have one, here's a chance to use it.</p><br />
<p><b>Recipe: </b><a href="/recipefinder/okra-chickpea-tagine-recipe-6630" target="_blank"><b>Okra and Chickpea Tagine</b></a></p>

Ken Burris

This quick and easy okra and chickpea stew is full of Moroccan flavors. The name "tagine" refers to the two-part, cone-shaped casserole dish in which countless slow-cooked Moroccan dishes are prepared. You don't need to prepare this in a tagine dish — it works well in a large saucepan — but if you have one, here's a chance to use it.

Recipe: Okra and Chickpea Tagine

Fried Okra

For a taste of the Carolina Low Country, try this savory side of fried okra.

Recipe: Fried Okra

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Skillet-Roasted Spiced Okra

Okra is popular in Southern cooking. Here Top Chef <a href="http://www.woodfiregrill.com/index.php" target="_blank">Kevin Gillespie</a> roasts it with Indian spices like cumin. The crispy okra is delicious on its own or with yogurt and lentils.<br /><br /><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="/recipefinder/skillet-roasted-spiced-okra-recipe-fw0910" target="_blank"><b>Skillet-Roasted Spiced Okra</b></a>

Frances Janisch

Okra is popular in Southern cooking. Here Top Chef Kevin Gillespie roasts it with Indian spices like cumin. The crispy okra is delicious on its own or with yogurt and lentils.

Recipe: Skillet-Roasted Spiced Okra

Louisiana Catfish with Okra and Corn

<p>Purchased Cajun or Creole seasoning flavors both the catfish and vegetables in this 30-minute dinner. This dish is best with fresh vegetables, but we were pleasantly surprised at how well it turned out with frozen okra and corn. Serve with cheese grits and a green salad.</p><br />
<p><b>Recipe: </b><a href="/recipefinder/louisiana-catfish-okra-corn-recipe" target="_blank"><b>Louisiana Catfish with Okra and Corn</b></a></p>

Ken Burris

Purchased Cajun or Creole seasoning flavors both the catfish and vegetables in this 30-minute dinner. This dish is best with fresh vegetables, but we were pleasantly surprised at how well it turned out with frozen okra and corn. Serve with cheese grits and a green salad.

Recipe: Louisiana Catfish with Okra and Corn

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Sautéed Okra with Cashews

Lucas Blalock

Okra and cashews are central to Brazilian cuisine; here the vegetable is lightly sautéed with slivers of garlic and tossed with the nuts for a great crunch.

Recipe: Sautéed Okra with Cashews

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