Our 12 Best Okra Recipes

By Southern Living

Okra is a signature Southern ingredient whether fried, pickled, or grilled. Savor this veggie with some of our favorite okra recipes. 

Whether fried, pickled, or grilled, no other vegetable tastes quite like okra. Every Southerner has their favorite okra dish, and we’ve rounded up the best okra recipes we could find to showcase this traditional Southern veggie. Try Pickled Okra for an addictive, tangy treat. Add another popular Southern ingredient and you have our Fried Pecan Okra, which uses crushed pecans to make a crisp outer coating. Get out the grill, and make okra an easy and delicious appetizer with our recipe for Peppery Grilled Okra with Lemon-Basil Dipping Sauce. From main dishes to sides, our best okra recipes offer creative, tasty options for every day of the week. With the help of these okra ideas—and a few inspired flavors—we think you’ll find a new family-favorite okra recipe to share at your table this summer.

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Fried Pecan Okra

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Fried Pecan Okra

Okra thrives in the scorching heat of humid summers, soaring skyward in its semitropical glory. Originally from Africa, it is as overtly Southern as sweet tea and kudzu. Luckily for us, we have the inside secret when it comes to the delectable pods—no other people embrace okra as Southerners do. Crushed pecans and baking mix form the crisp breading for this classic Southern-style side.

Basic Fried Okra Recipe & Tips

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Okra Panzanella

Photo: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Okra Panzanella

A colorful blend of fried okra, chopped fresh tomatoes, red onion, and fresh basil make Okra Panzanella a delicious choice for a savory Southern dish.

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Pickled Okra

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Pickled Okra

Savor summer's fresh okra for months to come by pickling the veggies with this delicious recipe and four easy steps.

How To Pickle Okra

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Smashed Fried Okra

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Smashed Fried Okra

What a revelation! Use a meat mallet to smash okra and create more surface area for crispy-brown goodness. Try this at home.

 

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Tomato-and-Okra Cornmeal Cakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Tomato-and-Okra Cornmeal Cakes

Choose tomatoes that are about 1½ inches in diameter. If okra isn't quite in season, you can leave it out. Also, in place of pimiento cheese, you can try soft goat cheese, sheep's milk ricotta, or whipped cream cheese.

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Skillet-Roasted Okra and Shrimp

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Skillet-Roasted Okra and Shrimp

Adapted from Virginia Willis' book, Okra, published by The University of North Carolina Press, this fast sauté is great over grits or a bed of arugula.

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Pickled Okra and Shrimp Salad

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Pickled Okra and Shrimp Salad

Pickled okra and shrimp make a perfect combination for a fresh salad. Try this recipe for dinner tonight with a side of cheesy French bread.

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Okra-and-Corn Maque Choux

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Okra-and-Corn Maque Choux

Use fresh corn and okra in this Maque Choux dish for best results. If you don't like spicy food you can easily sub the hot sausage for a milder version to fit your tastes.

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Shrimp-and-Okra Hush Puppies

Photo: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Shrimp-and-Okra Hush Puppies

Creole seasoning, okra, and shrimp add a delightful Southern taste and texture to these addictive cornbread bites.

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Fried Okra Salad

Recipe: Fried Okra Salad

Recipe: Lemon Dressing

Fried okra serves as a salad topping in this recipe. Finish with crumbled bacon and a homemade Lemon Dressing.

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Okra Creole

Recipe: Okra Creole

Serve flavorful Okra Creole with bacon, veggies, and spices as a side or over rice for an easy entrée.

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Peppery Grilled Okra With Lemon-Basil Dipping Sauce

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peppery Grilled Okra with Lemon-Basil Dipping Sauce

Grilling really brings out the flavor of this favorite Southern side. Serve the grilled okra on wooden skewers with a side of Lemon-Basil Dipping Sauce.

  

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