If you are looking for a tasty new side dish, look no further than my Best Southern Fried Okra recipe. This delicious side dish adds savory crunch and texture to any main meal, so why not give it a try today.
Crispy Fried Okra just screams summer time and is a real taste of the south. It's savory and crunchy, and has a flavor all of it's own.
Preparing okra for deep frying could not be any easier and I make my deep fried okra with flour. You just need to cut the okra up, season it with a little salt then coat it in a crumb made with flour, cornmeal and a little baking powder.
When deep fried, okra is transformed into something wonderful. It pairs well with tomatoes, but I serve this dish with just about anything else I can dream up. This recipe can easily serve 8 as an appetizer, or a side dish.
Follow my Southern Fried Okra recipe as it's easy to cook, and you can have it done and warming in the oven ready for guests to arrive. Pile it high on a platter and watch it disappear. You're gonna' love this one!
Visit Food Fidelity to find MORE great Okra Recipes, Tips, and Tricks!
Fried okra can be served as a tasty appetizer or vegetable side dish as it works with a whole variety of main dishes. I enjoy it with everything from my Easy Chicken Crescent Rolls, Crock Pot Round Steak or Oven Baked Chicken Fried Steak, to my Oven Baked Lemon Chicken or Brown Sugar Pork Chops
Okra has a lovely fresh, grassy flavor, not unlike green beans or broccoli.
Yes, okra is really good for you. It's a very healthy vegetable, full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It helps with digestion, and is good for Asthma sufferers, as it's full of vitamin C. Do a little research and you'll find lot's of studies that tout the benefits of this Southern delicacy!
If you've never worked with okra before, when you cut into it, it's slimy . there's no elegant way to say it! However, when you coat it, like I've done here, it's no longer slimy, and it fries up beautifully. This is my favorite way to enjoy okra.
My blogging friend, Running to the Kitchen, has a great recipe for Air Fryer Okra, if you have an air fryer and would prefer to prepare it that way!
Okra is fried in batches, and not all at once.
Follow the steps, and you'll have delicious fried Okra.
In a large fryer, or a large roaster, fill the fryer to the suggested line, or, fill the roaster about 1/2 way full with cooking oil.
Heat oil, until hot. Remove the Okra from the freezer, and place one piece of Okra in a frying tool, or a large slotted spoon, and lower it into the hot oil.
When the Okra floats, and sizzles in the hot oil, the oil is ready to fry the Okra.
Lower the Okra into the hot oil with a frying tool, or a large slotted spoon, a few pieces at a time, until you have the fryer or roaster not quite full - you want the Okra to have enough room to fry without being crowded in the fryer.
Don't overload your fryer, or roaster.
You'll have to adjust the heat when frying.
You may want to turn the heat down just a little when the Okra is almost done, and as your removing it.
Then, put one piece in the oil again and turn your heat up, and when the piece of Okra floats, add more Okra to fry, until you've fried all the Okra.
Fry the Okra until it's golden brown, and remove to paper towels to drain. (Frying times will vary depending on what you're frying the Okra in, (Fryer - Roaster, etc) so just watch the color of the Okra, and when it is a golden color, remove from the hot oil).
Cool a little on paper towels, and serve.
Enjoy!
NOTE: A frying tool, or large slotted spoon, is a tool or spoon with a long handle to keep you from getting your hands or fingers close to the hot oil. DO NOT use a regular spoon, the handle is not long enough, and oil may splatter and burn you as your placing the Okra into the oil. If you have not fried Okra before or are not experienced working with hot oil, use a pot holder when placing or removing the Okra from the oil to avoid burns.
ALSO: If you've never worked with Okra before, when you cut into it, it's slimy...there's no elegant way to say it, but, when you coat it, it's no longer slimy, and fry's up beautifully. AND, it's really good for you, it's a very healthy vegetable, full of vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants. It helps with digestion, and is good for Asthma sufferers, as it's full of vitamin C. Do a little research and you'll find lot's of studies that tout the benefits of this Southern delicacy!
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 150Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 463mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 6gSugar: 4gProtein: 6g
Please leave a comment below & if you recreate this recipe, be sure to share a photo on Instagram. Tag me @when.is.dinner and hashtag #whenisdinner!
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