34 Okra Recipes That Prove It's Not Just For Gumbo (2024)

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 you can add to a cheese board or in your favorite Bloody Mary recipe. Add another popular Southern ingredient and you have our Pan-Fried Okra with Cornmeal, which uses cornmeal to make a crisp outer coating. Get out the grill and make an easy and delicious appetizer with our recipe for Stuffed Okra Poppers.

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 recipe to share at your table this summer. In addition to these recipes, we've included some expert advice on cooking okra to perfection.

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Pan-Fried Okra With Cornmeal

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Cooking in two skillets, or two batches, will allow the okra to get extra crispy. The surprising part is that it takes less than half-an-hour to come together.

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Okra And Rice Casserole

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This casserole is simple to make but is still packed with an amazing amount of flavor. The secret that makes this recipe so simple is that it uses two microwaveable pouches of rice.

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Pimiento Cheese-Stuffed Pickled Okra

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Two Southern classics come together to create one delicious dish. A garnish of smoked paprika is the perfect finish.

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Classic Okra And Tomatoes

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This essential summer side features the most Southern pairing. Steeped in centuries of history, this combo cannot be missed.

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Shrimp-Okra-And-Sausage Kebabs

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A mixture of lemon juice, hot sauce, and melted butter pack these kebabs with flavor. Make sure your grill is extra hot to give the okra a nice char.

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Okra And Chickpeas In Fresh Tomato Sauce

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A tangy tomato sauce lightly covers the fresh ingredients in this recipe. It's the main dish moment your summer menu was looking for.

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Shrimp And Okra Gumbo

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Even though this dinner is made in one pot, it makes 12 servings. The okra is cooked low and slow here to help alleviate its sometimes slimy texture.

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Smashed Fried Okra

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

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Grilled Creole Chicken And Okra

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Use your grill to elevate the flavor of these fresh ingredients. Hot sauce is optional, but it gives this dish an extra punch.

Okra Creole

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Serve flavorful Okra Creole with bacon, veggies, and spices as a side or over rice for an easy entrée. Since this recipe uses a combination of frozen and canned veggies, there's no chopping required.

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Hearty Beef And Freezer Veggie Soup

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Okra can be enjoyed year-round in a soul-warming soup like Hearty Beef And Freezer Veggie Soup. The grocery store should have everything you need for this recipe.

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Best-Ever Succotash

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The ultimate summer side: succotash. Need we say more?

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Cajun Chicken Cassoulet

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Your family will love this one-pot, spiced-up version of the French meal. Your family will also appreciate that this recipe doesn't take all day like the traditional version. Dinner will be ready in a little over an hour with this recipe.

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Kardea Brown's Okra Soup With Shrimp

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Honor South Carolina Gullah cuisine with this colorful soup from Food Network star Kardea Brown. She also has a few secrets up her sleeve like letting your okra reach room temperature before using it and waiting to wash it until right before you use it.

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Bourbon-Brined Pickled Peppered Okra

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Two Southern staples—bourbon and okra—are an unlikely pair that were actually meant to be. These crunchy pickles keep in your fridge and might even convert non-okra fans.

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Maque Choux With Sausage

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This Louisiana classic comes together in just one skillet and 25 minutes. While most often served as a side dish, we've made the recipe hearty enough to be the main.

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Curried Okra Shoestring Fries

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If you thought the only way to fry okra was diced or whole, this addicting recipe will totally change your mind. Dip in ketchup or our chutney-and-sour-cream dipping sauce.

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Fried Shrimp-And-Okra Po'Boys

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Leave it to Test Kitchen Pro Ann Taylor Pittman to take one of our favorite Southern sides and put it on one of our favorite Southern sandwiches. Smash or flatten your okra pods with a rolling pin to create a more even surface for the breading.

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Shrimp And Sausage Gumbo

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Our Test Kitchen deemed this one of the best pots of gumbo they've ever put out. We make this cayenne-kissed dish with all the usual suspects.

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Deviled Eggs With Pickled Okra

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Of all the yummy deviled egg recipes we've come up with, this is a new go-to that's perfect for potlucks. Okra lovers will keep coming back for more.

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Crunchy Okra-And-Corn Salad With Ranch Dressing

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This summer salad is a beautifully delicious and new way to showcase fresh okra. Make sure your your cast-iron is hot to give just the right sear to your okra.

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Cajun Shrimp Casserole

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This is one of our go-to ways to serve up a flavorful casserole to friends in need. An unbaked casserole can be made up to a day in advance.

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Air Fryer Okra

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We've found dozens of fun ways to make Southern classics in our new Air Fryers, and this is a Test Kitchen favorite. With no oily mess, it will quickly become your favorite way to make okra.

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Zesty Pickled Okra

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We wouldn't even dare to whip up a batch of bloody Marys without a spear or two of homemade pickled okra. It's also the perfect thing to serve as a garnish on any classic Creole dish.

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Limpin' Susan

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Hoppin' John's secret girlfriend is no secret in our Test Kitchen. It's much lighter and more delicate than its partner, but it's the perfect way to use tender okra pods.

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Fried Okra

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You need just four ingredients to serve up this absolute staple of a Southern side dish. Don't let a summer pass by without serving this dish at least once.

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Shrimp-And-Andouille Gumbo Dip

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Imagine the coziest bowl of gumbo…in dip version. Proceed to heaven!

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Simple Roasted Okra

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Instead of turning to the deep-fryer, we cook this okra on high heat in the oven. Serve as a side with garlicky shrimp.

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Grilled Okra-And-Tomato Salad

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Instead of your standard green okra, we use purple okra in this pretty monochromatic dish. Serve this grilled summertime salad with a glass of wine.

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Chile-Rubbed Chops With Sweet Potatoes And Grilled Okra

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This simple and fresh supper is ideal for summer nights on the patio. The rub makes sure this recipe has all-over flavor without the mess of a marinade.

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Easy Summer Appetizer Board

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Pickled okra is an essential component to any Southern charcuterie and cheese board. Virginia cured meats also make the list.

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Chicken And Shrimp Skillet Rice

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Flavorful rice suppers are a natural part of any Southern cook's repertoire. We love it even more when it comes together in one pan like this recipe.

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Grilled Okra-And-Pepper Skewers With Dijon Dipping Sauce

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Okra and peppers bring color to the grill with these veggie-forward skewers. It's like summer on a platter.

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Stuffed Okra Poppers

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Swap your favorite jalapeño popper recipe for this summer-ready version. They take just 30 minutes to come together.