Fried Okra Recipe

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4.78 from 54 votes
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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 Recipe from addapinch.com

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.

Fried Okra Recipe from addapinch.com

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.

Fried Okra Recipe from addapinch.com

Here’s my family’s Fried Okra recipe. It’s a tradition.

Fried Okra Recipe

4.78 from 54 votes
Fried Okra is a Southern staple. So simple to make, fried okra makes the perfect side dish. Get this heirloom family fried okra recipe that you’ll love.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 21 minutes
Servings: 6

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

When slicing okra for cooking, make sure to discard the stem end and the tip. These are too tough, in my opinion, for frying.

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 527mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1083IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

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About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

4.78 from 54 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Review




257 Comments

  1. Tracye says:

    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

    1. Micheal Moran says:

      fried okra, chopped up an onion, dice up some tomatoe, let the okra cool, mix it all together and serve. mmmmmmmm good

  2. Sandra C. says:

    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!

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      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.

  3. anjna says:

    Hi was just wondering if you can put them straight in the oven without frying them…as I’m trying to use less oil…

  4. Sammy Hawkins says:

    No canola oil or soybean oil for me. Only peanut or coconut.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      It is delicious with peanut oil as well.

  5. Vic says:

    Better than popcorn!

  6. Joseph says:

    I can eat my weight in Okra, I just love it fried.

  7. B ones says:

    One thing and a must is you have to use a black iron frying pan Makes a big difference.

  8. alma says:

    I soak my okra in buttermilk for a few hours before dumping them in the batter.

  9. deb In Georgia says:

    5 stars
    I like to add black pepper (a lot ๐Ÿ˜‰ with the salt.

  10. Leah Kennedy says:

    Do you drain the okra before placing in oven?