Okra Rice Casserole ~
Savory Southern-inspired casserole made with tender okra, fluffy rice, and vegetables.
Serve with Vegan Cornbread and Braised Collard Greens.
Okra Rice Recipe
I like this recipe because the casserole is full of rich flavors and satisfying texture. It’s also easy to make; perfect for a family gathering or casual dinner at home.
Okra Rice Casserole is prepared on the stove and finished in the oven. It starts with the traditional Holy Trinity of Southern cooking, an aromatic trio of bell peppers, celery, and onion, and builds from there. The flavor is a balance of smoky and spicy from the Creole seasoning with just a touch of sweetness from the tomato-based rice.
I served this casserole along with Crispy Baked Tofu for dinner last night and we all went back for seconds!
Okra Rice Casserole Ingredients
You will need:
- Non-stick cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1/4 cup celery, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 3/4 pound okra, trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 14 ounces petite diced tomatoes, with liquid
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup water
How to Make Okra Rice Casserole
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
STEP TWO: Into a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter. When the butter is melted, add the bell pepper, onion, and celery. Cook for 2 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
STEP THREE: Add the rice and okra. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently until rice is very lightly toasted. Stir in the tomatoes with their liquid, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper.
STEP FOUR: Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Pour in the water, distributing it throughout the casserole. Cover tightly with foil.
STEP FIVE: Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot.
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Okra Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- Non-stick cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1/4 cup yellow onion diced
- 1/4 cup celery diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic minced
- 3/4 pound okra trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 14 ounces petite diced tomatoes with liquid
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Into a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter. When the butter is melted, add the bell pepper, onion, and celery. Cook for 2 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the rice and okra. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently until rice is very lightly toasted. Stir in the tomatoes with their liquid, Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Pour in the water, distributing it throughout the casserole. Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot.
JB
This is a wonderful recipe, exactly what I needed. For a long while I’ve had to adapt “regular” similar recipes to make them vegan, use better clean ingredients, etc., but your recipe takes cares of all that and in just the right proportions…came out delicious! And without bacon (or processed alternatives) or corn (sadly pretty much all GMO now), relatively low-fat…perfect. Thank you…an underrated (I think), well-crafted recipe!
thiswifecooks
Hi JB – Thank you so much! 🥰