Southern-Style Fried Okra Recipe

A staple side dish in the South, this fried okra recipe is simple, quick, and oh-so-delicious.

Back when I first started Southern Plate, I had an email from a reader asking if I could share a fried okra recipe. Well, y’all know I’ll eventually get to everything and here it is!

Southern fried okra is a truly delicious side dish. It seems no matter the time of year, no matter if you use frozen or fresh okra, it always adds that “fresh from the garden” taste to any meal. However, I’m definitely on the team of making fried okra from frozen, as it makes this recipe even easier (if that was possible).

Around these parts, you can find okra pre-breaded in the freezer section and some places even sell cups of it hot alongside chicken nuggets and such at lunch. Although I have no complaint if I am getting okra (no matter how it is prepared), my all-time favorite form of okra is prepared at home with this recipe. With a nickname like Southern popcorn, you won’t be able to stop after popping one piece in your mouth! Yep, fried okra’s crunchy and crispy exterior is totally addictive – ask anyone!

Recipe Ingredients

• Eggs
• Cornmeal (self-rising or plain, either is fine)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh or frozen okra (I am using frozen okra). If using fresh okra, go ahead and slice it up into bite-sized pieces and wash okra well.
• Vegetable oil

How to Make Fried Okra From Frozen

Add eggs to a medium-sized bowl.

Add buttermilk to the eggs.

Mix them up real good.

  Combine dry ingredients (salt, pepper, cornmeal) in another medium-sized bowl and mix that up.

Coat the frozen okra pieces with the egg/buttermilk combo.

Then transfer to the cornmeal mixture and coat until covered.

Place about 1/4 cup oil in a cast iron skillet and heat over medium heat for three to five minutes.

Add the vegetable oil to the pan and heat up until you add a piece of okra and get some sizzlin’. Then you know it’s hot enough to add the coated okra slices.  

With a slotted spoon add the remaining okra.

Keep the skillet on medium heat (if in a hurry, you can cook this on medium-high heat, just watch it a bit closer).

Fry okra and stir the pieces occasionally (every two or three minutes) for about twenty or twenty-five minutes or so, until crispy and browned.

Remove pan fried okra with a slotted spoon and place them into a serving bowl.

DEVOUR with some Comeback Dipping Sauce (this is the good stuff!). I also recommend dipping the crispy breaded okra pieces in hot sauce.

What’s the Best Way To Store Your Fried Okra?

• Once cooled completely, you can store your fried okra in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or freezer for up to six months. When it’s time, either reheat them on a baking sheet in the oven (turning to ensure both sides get crunchy) or by pan-frying them again in a small amount of oil. Alternatively, use your air fryer to reheat your fried okra.

Recipe Notes

• When making fried okra from frozen, make sure you thaw your frozen okra completely before frying. Once thawed, drain and pat the pieces completely dry with a paper towel before tossing them in the coating and frying.
• For a spicier fried okra recipe, I recommend adding a quarter or a half-teaspoon of cayenne pepper or cajun seasoning to the cornmeal.

 

Recipe FAQs

What is okra?

For anyone that isn’t from the South and used to making fried okra you may be wondering what the heck it is. Some people are surprised to hear it’s technically a fruit not a vegetable, like our friend the avocado. Okra is the fruit of the Abelmoschus esculentus plant, which is a member of the Mallow family. Now, isn’t that a mouthful! Native to West Africa, it was introduced to America over 300 years ago. If you are interested in ready more about Okra, here is an overview.

What do you serve with fried okra?

Fried okra is a great vegetarian side dish to serve with other Southern main meals, like fried catfish, pulled pork, fried chicken, and velvet pork chops. Otherwise, you can serve it as a main meal alongside other popular Southern side dishes, including fresh fried corn, mac and cheese, and cornbread.

How do you make fried okra not slimy?

There are three things to do to ensure your fried okra isn’t slimy. First, the thinner the slice, the slimier the okra, so make sure you chop your fresh okra into big pieces. Second, cooking over high heat should stop it from being too slimy too. Third, make sure your okra is completely dry before coating.

You may also enjoy these Southern recipes:

Southern Biscuits Recipe A Classic With Only 3 Ingredients

Southern Cubed Steak and Milk Gravy

Hoe Cake Recipe Southern Style From Mama

Chicken Fried Steak Recipe