Skillet Okra ~
Easy recipe for fresh or frozen okra!
With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this flavorful Southern staple is ready in minutes!
Serve sauteed okra with Creole Dirty Rice or Fried Green Tomatoes.
Easy Pan-Fried Okra Recipe
I like this recipe because it’s a perfect side dish for okra lovers, and cooking okra on the stovetop is quick and easy. It’s a simple dish and a Southern classic. You can use fresh okra pods when they’re in season or frozen to enjoy this favorite summer vegetable year-round.
The beauty of stove top skillet okra lies not only in the simplicity of this dish but also in its versatility. Feel free to use this tasty recipe as a base and add your favorite spices or a dash of cayenne pepper sauce to give it an extra kick.
When selecting your okra, look for firm, bright green pods that are no more than 4″ in length (smaller pods tend to have less of the slime factor) and are without bruises or soft spots.
Ingredients for Skillet Okra
You will need the following:
- 1 pound okra, fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or olive oil
- 1 pound okra, fresh or frozen
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
How to Make Skillet Okra
STEP ONE: If using fresh whole okra, slice the pods into 1-inch pieces. If using frozen okra, use it straight from the freezer (no need to defrost).
STEP TWO: Heat a large skillet (a cast iron skillet works great!)over medium-high heat, then add the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the cut okra in a single layer. Add the onion and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
STEP THREE: Cook, stirring frequently for 10 minutes, or until the okra is lightly browned in places. Adjust seasoning to taste. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil, if needed, and serve hot.
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Ingredients
- 1 pound okra fresh or frozen
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
- 1 pound okra fresh or frozen
- 1/4 cup yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- If using fresh whole okra, slice the pods into 1-inch pieces. If using frozen okra, use it straight from the freezer (no need to defrost).
- Heat a large skillet (a cast iron skillet works great!)over medium-high heat, then add the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the cut okra in a single layer. Add the onion and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook, stirring frequently for 10 minutes, or until the okra is lightly browned in places. Adjust seasoning to taste. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil, if needed, and serve hot.
Choclette
I love this simple way of doing okra, it’s perfect with just that bit of cajun seasoning. I used to hate okra because of the texture, but luckily I overcame that and really like it now.
Erin
This skillet okra recipe is so easy and delicious! I love pan-frying okra, and this turned out perfect. Thanks for this super yummy side dish!
Padma
We are a family of okra fans! This simple recipe came to my rescue for dinner last night! Yum!
Paulette
I followed the recipe exactly and the ok never got soft. I ended up putting water in the pan and trying to steam it. After 30 minutes the okra was still tough. I have no idea what I did wrong.
thiswifecooks
Hi Paulette ~ It sounds like something went awry with the cooking process. Okra typically softens much quicker than 30 minutes, usually in about 10-15 minutes when pan-frying. Perhaps the heat was too low or the okra pieces were too large? Adding a bit of water to steam was a good idea, but next time, try cutting the okra smaller and ensuring the pan is hot enough. I hope this is helpful.
Paula
What about the thinly-sliced onion?
thiswifecooks
Hi Paula ~ The recipe is updated to indicate the onion is added in Step 2 along with the okra.