Perfect Fried Okra Recipe

If you don't like okra, it's because you've never tried my fried okra recipe. Perfectly crispy, never slimy, this fried okra will have you licking your fingers and begging for more! Making your own buttermilk marinade by combining white vinegar with milk provides a lighter base than egg, and combining equal parts flour and cornmeal ensure the perfect crust that won't fall off during frying.

Try it out today while okra is in its full glory - you won't be disappointed!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup cornmeal
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup buttermilk - add 1 tablespoon vinegar to a measuring cup, fill with milk to make 1/2 cup, let sit 5 minutes
2 pounds okra, cut in 1/2 inch pieces
Oil for frying (I like peanut or vegetable oil)

Directions:

In a cast iron skillet or deep pan, heat about 6 cups of oil to 350F (125C).
Place cut okra in buttermilk to soak for a couple minutes while you assemble the coating.
In a bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, and seasonings.
Transfer okra to coating mixture and toss well to coat.
Fry okra in hot oil for about 5 minutes, stirring to fry evenly.
Remove to paper towels to drain.

Even after these have cooled quite a bit, they are still delicious. Serve with ketchup or hot sauce, or eat them up plain!

Enjoy!

sabu.dawdy says: Jul 29, 2012. 5:15 AM

Never in my life i tried okra. Bt bless you for such a fantastic recipe. Just a question 'what's corn meal?' itz nt available in pakistan. How ever corn is.

Bennions89 says: Aug 5, 2012. 5:54 PM

Cornmeal is ground dried corn. there are instructions online on how to make it your self!

pscercyyoung says: Jul 27, 2012. 10:45 AM

Exactly how my Mom made her's and of course her's was the best. Thanks for the recipe it brings back fond memories. And I'm buying 2 pounds of okra today.

Jobar007 says: Jul 27, 2012. 10:33 AM

Thanks... now I'm hungry!

Fried okra is really good. It is easily one of my favorite veggies. Alas, with my short growing season in Oregon, I can't grow it without some serious green/hot housing.

artfulann says: Jul 27, 2012. 5:06 AM

Looks great! Those who have never had fried okra have no idea how good this is! And even better if you grow your own okra- which is practically the easiest plant to grow.

I also like how you did your one LONG picture with the script captions. Nice!

susanchen2011 says: Jul 27, 2012. 1:53 AM

It looks very delicious.

ljhhontx says: Jul 26, 2012. 7:15 PM

Your's is almost like my old family recipe except we use only cornmeal and just use the moisture from washing the okra and we fry it in Crisco in an electric frying pan. Your okra looks like it retains more batter, I'll have to try it. Also wanted to mention for those that say okra is slimy, I always use a steamer basket and steam it until you barely feel any resistance with a fork (not long maybe 5 to 7 mins turn it off and drain and pull out steamer and add butter and salt and lots of black pepper. It stays in whole pods and is not slimy at all. No better vegetable in my opinion than okra cooked any way.