Fried Okra is a Southern staple. So simple to make, it makes the perfect side dish. Get this heirloom family fried okra recipe that you’ll love.
Fried okra is one of my favorite foods in all the land – if it’s done right. This is the best fried okra recipe and a family favorite for generations!
And by done right, I mean cooked with the perfect amount of crispy coating on the outside while being smooth and tender on the inside. You’d think that would be easy enough, but when I was first married I wasn’t exactly sure how to make it. I managed to have more burnt crisps of okra because I couldn’t figure out the perfect balance of how to make it just right.
Finally, like every good Southern girl, I called my Mama. She knew just what I was doing wrong and set me straight in my fried okra making ways.
Fried Okra Recipe
I had been trying to get the perfect fried okra on the stove top alone. The secret, as Mama told me, was the combination of the stove top AND the oven! It’s how her Mama taught her and her Mama before her.
Hallelujah! It was if I could hear the angels singing when she told me how to make it.
How to Make
To make this fried okra, start by preheating oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then, mix together the okra, corn meal, flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Make sure the okra is well-coated.
In the meantime, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Then add okra to skillet once oil has reached the point where if a drop of water is added to the oil, it will sizzle.
Allow okra to brown on one side, which will take about 3 minutes, before gently stirring. Once both sides of okra have browned, about 3 more minutes, place into preheated oven.
Cook until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Then serve and enjoy!
We love to eat this delicious okra with so many other favorite dishes, such as Easy Mashed Potatoes, Pinto Beans and Southern Cornbread.
Since my Mama shared cooking tip with me, I’ve been making it perfectly for over 20 years.
I’m so thankful for her tips! The world just wouldn’t be the same without good fried okra.
Here’s my family’s Fried Okra recipe. It’s a tradition.
Fried Okra Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds okra, sliced
- 3/4 cup corn meal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup Canola or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F.
- Mix together okra, corn meal, flour, and salt in a large mixing bowl, making sure well-coated.
- In the meantime, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add okra to skillet once oil has reached the point where if a drop of water is added it will sizzle.
- Allow okra to brown on one side, about 3 minutes, before gently stirring. Once both sides of okra have browned, about 3 more minutes, place into preheated oven. Cook until fork tender, about 10 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
This is the way I have done mine for 70 yrs. I’ll soon be 89 yrs old. I add black pepper to mine and try to turn it only 1 time, using a lg spatula.
Happy early birthday, Jeanne! I’ll have to add black pepper when I make it next time. Sounds perfect!
This is the same way my Mama made fried okra. I just can’t stand the “fried okra” everyone thinks is really “fried okra”–pieces individually battered and deep fried. Your way is the only way to go!
Thank you for sharing the recipe AND the story! I make many calls to 1-800-MAMA for things such as this. My daddy usually answers the phone when I call and all I have to say is “I have a 1-800-MAMA question” and he knows to hand the phone over to her.
Remember to cut & let bleed before breading.
What do you mean by “let bleed”?
Do you take the okra up or leave it in the oil when you place it into the over?
Thanks so much for this recipe. Had not tried yet, and am looking forward to fresh okra from the vegetable garden to try.
I made a smaller portion of this so I had to “guess-timate” the amounts of corn meal and flour, but it worked out. I added some fresh ground black pepper and creole seasoning to the mix. Once finished, it was great topping on the leftover gumbo with a splash of hot sauce since it was a contrasting texture.
I’m trying it your way. Its already in the oven and not sure I can wait. Always just coated with cornmeal and flour and fried in oil. My southern mama always used bacon drippings but we don’t eat enough bacon to have that much to be able to fry in.
Can’t wait to try never put in oven
Can’t wait to try it this way….like you, I always have trouble getting it all fried the same. And I can’t stand the pieces that get almost burned. So I am going to give this a try tonight! Pinto beans, fried (baked) okra, sliced onions and cornbread…it’s what’s for supper here! Thanks for sharing!
You fried okra lovers should really try adding diced onions and potatoes to your okra and frying all together. I am certainly going to try some of these other suggestions. Okra is still growing in the garden and I should be able to start to harvest this week or next. Thanks for all the tips here!
Add chopped green tomatoes r good also
Yep