Boiled okra is a simple yet delicious recipe. Most of us know how to cook boiled okra, but if one wants to get it right all the time, one has to up his game. I have to admit, there was a time when I did not like Okra — predominantly because it always seemed so slimy!
When I understood the proper techniques, boiled okra became one of my easiest kitchen staples. And keeping in mind all the great health benefits of okra, it is worth mastering.
So, whether you are new or an experienced cook who knows how to cook okra like a pro, making boiled okra correctly can completely turn it around for the better.
I must admit that I used to have a love-hate relationship with okra back in those days, and by that I mean LOVE HATE as hell because it was so slimy!
However, with the proper techniques in my back pocket and some trial-and-error under my belt, boiled okra became my hot favorite. Also, the health benefits of this recipe with okra will make you want to master it even more.
Understanding Okra
What is okra?
If you are unfamiliar with okra, we need to start from scratch. One of the most common vegetables in Southern cooking is an edible green wood-like pod called okra, also known as “lady’s finger.
Varieties of okra
You have the diversity with this vegetable. There is a regular green okra that we all are familiar with (well most of us anyways), and then there is the red okra which has an almost smokey flavor to it, but changes back to its normal color once cooked. I’ve had both defrosted and honestly they are pretty good no matter which way you cook it. Different types bring a different flavor to the game, hence you should try each variety.
Nutritional benefits of okra
You must be asking about the health benefits of okra. Now, let us hear about it. So, okra is a nutritional beast boasting of vitamins A, C and K along with calcium, fiber and antioxidants. It amazes me all the goodness that fits in those little pods. I first heard about this stuff in another popular recipe blog. Okra is great for digestion, heart health and even blood sugar. It cooks beautifully when done right and it is so good for you.
Preparing Okra for Boiling
Selecting fresh okra
So, our first step in learning how to cook boiled okra is choosing the best pods. There is no substitute for fresh okra to get the slime. Hence, the fresh pods are bright green and firm to touch. They should break easily over a knee—if they simply bend but do not snap or if there have mushy pockets, they are old. I can tell you from experience, using old okra is a mistake and trust me when I say this, your end result will not be as tasty as you will expect.
Cleaning and trimming okra
The first step is to rinse it thoroughly in cold water and take out all kinds of dirt or insects. Cut off the stem ends of each pod, and you should be careful in this step so as not to cut too much in order to keep pods whole. I find that leaving them whole goes some way to reduce the slimy texture— which we all want to avoid.
Tips to reduce sliminess
Ah, the sliminess. If there is anything you say about okra, it’s this. The great news is that you can wash it — using some tricks.
One way I have found is to soak the okra in vinegar or lemon juice before cooking it. This one reduces the slime quite a bit.
Another tip? To avoid this, do not over crowd the pan when you are boiling. You also need to give the okra some space so it can cook evenly without becoming overly slimy.
Basic Boiled Okra Recipe
Ingredients needed
Alright, let’s get cooking! Ingredients for the base recipe
Fresh okra (about 1 pound)
Water, on almost top of the okra.
Salt (to taste)
Salt — optional: lemon juice, vinegar or your choice of spices
Step-by-step instructions
Boil a pot of water fill your large pan with water and bring to the boil Salt the water a little bit—it gives it just enough seasoning to taste while cooking.
Salt and optional spices: While the water is coming to a boil, you can add lemon juice or vinegar to the boiling liquid if desired. This will make them far less slimy. Both give a nice tangy taste to the okra and I have tried with both.
Boil time and texture check: Once you have brought the water to a boil, carefully drop your okra in. Cook it on medium flame for at least 8-10 minutes till the pods are cooked properly. The idea is to boil it till it is just soft enough but not all the way mushy. I probe it with a fork (if that goes in easily, it’s cooked.).
Now that you have cooked, and enjoyed your okra until it is just how you like it, spread a layer or 2 of paper towel on the bottom inside (line the bowl with small paper toweling) to absorb any of those wonderful juices under once cooled.
If you want to hurry the process, run it under cold water. This will prevent the okra from being overcooked to be too mushy.
Enhancing the Flavor
Adding lemon juice or vinegar
If you would like to lift the taste of your boiled okra, add a drop of lemon juice or vinegar. It preserves the fresh tanginess and color of the okra too. I realized this simple addition to the recipe changes everything about the final taste of it.
Using spices and herbs
But spices and herbs are up to you. Or even black pepper, garlic powder or smoked paprika for a bit of spice. Other fresh herbs such as parsley or dill are also wonderful. I once added a dash of cayenne pepper and the dry okra got a lovely zing — great for spicy-lovers!!
Serving suggestions
If you are unsure of the okra and find it difficult to cook anything else, chopped or whole boiled pieces can go into any dish that will be supported by their thickening capability. Use it to accompany your grilled meats, throw a little into salad for texture and crunchiness or even fry with some butter garlic as an easy snack. I like to serve it with a zingy tomato salad and Woolworth is my retailer of choice.
Variations of Boiled Okra
Southern-style boiled okra
Want to make the ol’ South proud & whip up some boiled okra? Add a little bacon fat (bacon) to your boiling water! Watch the Scraps Smoke add a deep, rich flavor to okra that shouts Southern. I first made this after a trip to New Orleans and it has been successful at every family function since.
Boiled okra with tomatoes
People also love a dish with okra and tomatoes. The tartness of the tomatoes dulls that okra’s slippery nature. Or, simply dice up a couple of fresh tomatoes and toss them in the pot during the last few minutes of boiling. This was a super easy and tasty variation on your typical sandwich wrap.
Sautéed okra with garlic and butter
One of the most famous dishes is boiled okra with garlic and butter — richly savory. Once you’ve drained the okra, sauté some together with butter until lightly browned and toss it in said garlic butter. It is a warm and comforting meal that makes for easy weeknight dinners.
Boiled Okra Health Benefits
Rich in vitamins and minerals
We have discussed okra many times, but its richness of nutrients can hardly be underestimated. This is a good way to increase your intake of vitamin C, which contributes significantly towards the health and strength of our immune system & K protein needed in order for calcium absorption from natural sources such as red meat.
High in dietary fiber
Okra is additionally excellent for food digestion and contains high nutritional fiber. Other health benefits of boiled okra include regular bowel movement and a healthy digestive track! How I feel, when okra gets more regularly into my diet.
Aids digestion and is good for the heart
The lady’s finger is not only good for digestion but also useful in maintaining the health of your heart. Okra is highly regarded as a cholesterol-reducing food group, thanks in part to the fiber of okras that can help lower blood pressure and fight inflammation by supplying hypoglycemic aids.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcooking the okra
The most common mistake when you are learning how to cook boiled okra is overcooking it. Pretty much, overcooking makes okra slimy and dull in color. Watch the minutes as you cook so that you get it just right.
Not using enough water
A very common error is that we do not take enough water to boil the okra. The okra requires enough breathing room to cook through. If there is not enough room in the pot, the entire pods will be slimy since they have been squished and so some are going to cook more than others.
Ignoring the sliminess factor
Lastly, we cannot disregard the sliminess factor. Yes, some sliminess is natural and can be controlled as described above. But whatever it is that stops the okra from going slimy, try to sort this out and your overall dish will be so much better committed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to store boiled okra?
Let the okra cool completely, and store in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3 days. Reheating it in the microwave with a little bit of water has been an effective way to keep its texture intact.
Can boiled okra be frozen?
Can you freeze boiled okra? — Yes, but it should be slightly under-cooked. That way it remains fresh since reheating food can take away the flavor to some extent. I would rather lay them on a baking sheet and freeze individually and then store in a freezer bag.
How to reheat boiled okra?
Boiled okra can easily be reheated by warming it up in a pan with some butter or oil. You can also crush the same dish but in microwave be careful not to overheat it. Personally, I like the stovetop method because it keeps your okra from becoming mushy.
Conclusion
In this blog post, I presume you have learnt the ins and outs of how to cook boiled okra from picking out fresh pods to jazzing up flavor with seasonings. Boiled okra is not just a side dish, but also an example of how you can easily incorporate nutritious foods into your meals. I also urge you to give it a go, change some flavors around and see if this very humble vegetable can become something of an all new hot favorite in your kitchen. Oh, and if you come up with a variation on this, let me know about it!
