Fried Okra Recipe in the Skillet - A Classic Southern Favorite! (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to thaw frozen okra before frying? ›

Frozen okra has a softer texture, which is excellent for soups and stewed okra but not for deep-frying. If you must use frozen, thaw the okra first. Then, thoroughly drain and pat dry.

Okra is a nutritious vegetable that can be cooked by boiling or frying. Regardless of your cooking method, wash and slice your okra first. You can boil okra in slightly salted water. You can coat okra in cornmeal and then fry it in a frying pan.

The moistened okra adheres to the breading during frying. Breading does not stick to dry okra. And in my opinion, buttermilk makes a breading which is too thick which also causes the breading to fall off. For frying, I have tried many methods but finally realized that some sort of deep fat fryer is needed.

Methods like grilling, sauteing, and frying that use high heat for a short amount of time work well. Make sure your cast iron skillet, grill, or fryer is hot before you start cooking okra. Getting a good sear on the outside will not only make the outside taste great, but it will also reduce the slime inside.

Bigger is not better. The larger okra pods have tough husks and are too chewy. Growing up, fried okra was always a real treat.

But since it's often fried in bacon drippings, frying oil and Crisco, fried okra definitely isn't healthy. It's loaded with saturated fats and trans fats, which raise your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and lower your good (HDL) cholesterol levels.

Place okra in a saucepan; add enough water to cover the okra and salt to taste; bring the water to boil. Cover the pan and cook eight to 10 minutes or until the okra is tender.

Blanching the okra before adding it to your soup or stew can help reduce slime. Simply blanch the trimmed okra pods in boiling water for a few minutes, then transfer them to an ice bath. This blanching step will help remove excess slime, resulting in a more enjoyable eating experience.

The larger the okra pods, the better the chance it will be stringy. I like the baby pods and generally pick 'em at 3" or so (no bigger than 10 cm at a maximum). Always feel the pods before purchasing--bend the pointy end. If it feels hard, the okra will be stringy/woody.

Can you use frozen okra to fry? ›

Okra pods - You can get them fresh if they are available or just use frozen okra. Both work great. Cornmeal - You can use yellow cornmeal or white cornmeal. Spices - A little cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder ensure that the coating is flavorful and never bland.

Freeze slices on a parchment-lined tray before placing into freezer bags. Frozen blanched okra works well in gumbo, boiled, stewed, smothered, or fried.

Yes, you can fry frozen breaded okra without thawing it first. In fact, frying it straight from the freezer helps to maintain its crispy texture. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure it cooks evenly.

Place the frozen okra in a bowl and let it thaw at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. Once thawed, use a paper towel to pat the okra dry.