11 Best Easy Okra Recipes

If you’ve never eaten okra – a nutritious and versatile dish with a fresh, plant-based flavor and some great culinary properties – you’re in for a treat. And if you to have and don’t think you like it, maybe you’ve never had it like this.

what is okra?

Like bell peppers, okra is an edible seed pod. The outside of the pod has an almost hairy, rough feel, unlike the smooth, shiny skin of a pepper. Although it grows abundantly in the southern US and is a big part of Southern cuisine, okra is actually part of many cuisines around the world, especially African and South Asian cuisines. As a food, okra came to the US from West Africa during the slave trade era. It was introduced to Southern cuisine by African cooks.

What does okra taste like?

Many people love okra for the body it adds to soups and stews: When cooked, okra becomes slimy (or “slimy”) and is an integral part of dishes like gumbo. (Both gumbo and okra are derived from African words.) Okra is also very good for you. With lots of fiber and a fair amount of potassium and vitamin C, it’s a great side dish or ingredient if you want to eat a little healthier.

When buying okra, look for smaller, softer pods, up to 3-4 inches long or shorter, that will still feel firm when raw.