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
I used an egg wash then the corn meal . flpur, salt and pepper. Thank you for the oven idea.
I like this recipe, but I would like to add two things to the mix. 1 egg white plus 1 Tablespoon water: mix well pour over okra stir well, before adding the meal mixture. This will insure that the coating will stay on the okra. The number of egg whites and water is determine by the amount of okra you are frying..
For this recipe I would use only 1 egg.
I made this tonight following your recipe and loved it. My mother, who does not eat much at night kept adding some to her plate. I have a ceramic cooktop and can’t use an iron skillet I have one of those copper ones and used it. Thanks so much for this recipe. I plan to use it again and again
How wonderful that this was a hit with your family – especially your mother! It’s been a favorite in our family for my whole life! I appreciate your comment and am so happy you enjoy this! Thanks, Donna! xo
Can you clarify about how much oil you use when you initially fry it. I’m assuming you’re just using a little bit? Because then you’re transferring your cast iron directly into the oven. So I’m assuming we’re not deep frying the okra?
Christa, as I list in the ingredients, I use 1/4 cup oil and no, I don’t deep fry it. Hope you enjoy!
Delish! Even better seasoned with some onion powder before cooking.
No flour or baking. Just corn meal and salt. High heat on stove top. Don’t stir or flip until 1 side is browned. Turn and watch carefully. Don’t let the okra over cook. Beautiful summer veggie! Crisp and tasty with summer corn cut off the cob and sliced tomatoes!
Thanks for sharing your method for making okra, Susan! I love it all kinds of ways – such a great summer veggie, don’t you think?
My recipe is the way my Grandmother taught me to make it and it’s absolutely my favorite way to enjoy fried okra – so tender and delicious. If you ever give it a try like this, I hope you enjoy it as well.
Thanks so much! xo
This is the way women in my family always cooked okra and their Southern heritage started in Jamestown, moved into South Carolina and Georgia before landing in Florida after the Civil War. I never had it any other way for most of my life. However, bacon fat was the fat of choice and I surely do not remember ever putting it in the oven. or ever having any trouble with it burning.
Hi Linda,
A wonderful southern food tradition, right?!
My grandmother always put hers in the oven and taught me how to make it…and it is absolutely delicious! If you give it a try this way, I hope you enjoy it! Thanks so much!
This is the best okra I have ever made. I’m so glad I found your recipe.
Thanks so much, Brenda!
Do you put it in the oven in the same skillet with the oil in it. ?
YES! AND MAKE SURE YOU USE YOUR BIG.OLD.CAST IRON SKILLET!
Thanks, Nellie! 😉 Nothing like cooking in a cast iron skillet is there?!
I have been making fried okra for years and wonder why you put in the oven after frying? The slices are so thin, that frying them on both sides is more than enough to cook them. The oven would undo the crispness and make them soggy?
You really must try it to understand. The baking is a must!
Hi Rhonda,
It does make such a difference, doesn’t it? Thanks so much! xo
just made this and worked perfectly! I too have burned okra many times, this will be my go to from now on. light, crispy, and delicious! (and made with gluten free all purpose flour)!
So glad you liked it, Karen! It’s a family favorite! xo
I would like to prepare this with GF flour. Did you also use the corn meal? I was hoping to exclude it but still have tasty results. Thanks!