Easy and Tasty Roasted Okra Recipe
My simple and delicious roasted okra recipe turns the biggest okra skeptics into okra lovers! This tasty side dish is smoky and savory with a delightful texture.
Having grown up in the South, I’m no stranger to a decent okra side dish. However, I’ll be the first to admit that once you’ve experienced the sliminess of undercooked okra, it’s hard to want to have it again. Enter this roasted okra recipe. It’s slightly crispy, smoky, and flavorful, and best of all—no sliminess here! Enjoy.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Roasted okra is a super quick and easy side dish to make.
- This okra has a rich, savory flavor that works well with a large variety of main courses or can be enjoyed on its own.
- You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this easy dish.
- Baked okra is naturally vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and plant-based.
Ingredient Notes
Okra: Select fresh, firm, green okra pods for this dish for the best results. Be certain to slice the ends and the stems off of each okra pod before making this recipe.
Oil: Use any cooking oil you have on hand. I prefer avocado oil for its neutral flavor, but extra virgin olive oil is also an excellent choice.
Spices: I love to use a combination of garlic, paprika, fennel, and cumin. It’s rich, savory, and smoky, and these particular flavor notes pair extraordinarily well with okra. Having said that, if you are not particularly fond of any of these spices, feel free to swap any of them out for what you do most prefer. It’s a versatile recipe and is delicious with lots of different spice blends. I find half a teaspoon of salt to just be about right, but feel free to salt to suit your own tastes.
How to Make Roasted Okra
- Slice the ends and stems off of each piece of okra. Slice each piece of okra into 1-inch rounds.
- Combine the okra with the oil and spices in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir until the okra is well-coated in the oil spices.
- Bake the okra on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet until golden.
- Enjoy!
Fun Variations
When you’re ready to mix this okra recipe up a little, swap the spices for some of these fun blends instead.
- Toss the okra with Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Swap the original spices for garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese for an Italian spin.
- Coat the okra in BBQ sauce before baking for a tangy kick.
- Season the okra with black pepper and lemon juice before roasting.
- Toss the okra with toasted sesame oil, grated ginger root, and soy sauce for some Asian flair.
- Baharat spice is another delicious choice, especially if you like warm spice notes.
How to Store and Reheat Roasted Okra
To store roasted okra, let it cool to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For reheating, spread the okra in a single layer on a baking sheet and warm it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cook okra so it’s not slimy?
To reduce the sliminess of okra, choose small, young, green, firm okra pods. Cooking okra at a higher heat also helps reduce slime.
What makes okra taste better?
Bold spices like cumin, cayenne, and smoked paprika pair well with okra and help bring out its tastiest notes. Additionally, combining okra with an acid like tomatoes or lemon juice helps improve flavor as well.
What does okra go well with?
Okra pairs well with curry, stew, rice, and bean dishes.
More Delicious Veggie Side Dishes
Roasted Okra Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh okra ends and stems removed, sliced into 1" pieces
- 2 tablespoons oil of choice I like to use avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds or ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and then set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced okra, oil, garlic, paprika, fennel seeds, cumin, and salt. Mix well until the okra is well coated in the oil and spices.
- Place the okra on the parchment-lined baking sheet in one even layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges of the okra pieces are crispy, golden, and no sliminess remains.
- Serve and enjoy!