Fried Okra Recipe
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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 350ยบ 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
Agree with everything you’ve written, except I grew up on a farm and we always use bacon grease for fried okra and potatoes… not to healthy, but wow… the difference is unreal, my dad is 77 and still going strong !!! LOL
fried okra, chopped up an onion, dice up some tomatoe, let the okra cool, mix it all together and serve. mmmmmmmm good
Two others have already asked this question, but I will try asking again: Do you drain the oil from the pan before putting it in the oven? I’m thinking you must, but it isn’t clear. . Also, what oven temperature? Thanks!
By the time the okra been browned, there is very little (if any) oil left in your skillet. You’ll have preheated the oven to 350ยบ F, so you’ll just use that same temperature.
Hi was just wondering if you can put them straight in the oven without frying them…as I’m trying to use less oil…
No canola oil or soybean oil for me. Only peanut or coconut.
It is delicious with peanut oil as well.
Better than popcorn!
I can eat my weight in Okra, I just love it fried.
One thing and a must is you have to use a black iron frying pan Makes a big difference.
I soak my okra in buttermilk for a few hours before dumping them in the batter.
I like to add black pepper (a lot ๐ with the salt.
Do you drain the okra before placing in oven?