Recipe

Spiced Okra Recipe

Tender okra with crisp edges in a warm, tomato-spice sauce that tastes like it simmered all day, but lands on the table fast.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.8

A skillet of spiced okra simmering in a rich tomato sauce with visible sliced okra, onions, and warm spices, served with lemon wedges on the side

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Okra gets a bad rap from people who have only met it in its slippery era. This recipe is the glow up: high heat for crisp edges, then a luscious, spiced tomato sauce that clings to every slice like it has something to prove.

The vibe is cozy and rich, but still bright thanks to a hit of lemon at the end. It is the kind of dish you can throw on rice for a weeknight win or spoon over toast when you are feeling a little chaotic and inspired.

Quick okra note: smaller pods tend to be more tender. If yours look extra large, slice them and keep an eye out for any woody bits near the stem.

Fresh whole okra and sliced okra on a cutting board next to a knife and small bowls of spices

Why It Works

Less slime, more texture: Searing okra quickly drives off moisture and gives you those crisp edges before it ever hits the sauce, which usually reduces the slippery feel.
Big flavor from pantry staples: Tomato paste, garlic, and warm spices build a sauce that tastes deeper than the effort required.
Flexible heat level: Keep it mild with 1/4 tsp flakes, or lean into 1/2 tsp (or more) for slow-building warmth.
Weeknight friendly: One skillet, straightforward steps, and plenty of room to taste and adjust.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 4 days (general guidance). The sauce gets even better overnight.

Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium-low with a splash of water or broth to loosen. Microwave works too, but the stovetop keeps the texture nicer.

Freeze: You can freeze it for up to 2 months (general guidance), but know the okra will soften a bit when thawed. Still delicious over rice or stirred into soups.

Leftover idea: Pile it into a pita with a swipe of yogurt and some quick pickles. It is messy in the best way.

Common Questions

How do I keep okra from getting slimy?

Two things help most: keep it dry and hit it with high heat. Pat the okra dry, then sear it in hot oil so it browns before it steams. Acid (tomatoes, lemon) can help keep the texture in check too, especially once it simmers.

Can I use frozen okra?

Yes. Do not thaw it first. Add frozen okra straight to the hot pan and let it sear. It may not brown as deeply as fresh and it will release more water, so use a wide pan, avoid overcrowding, and give it an extra few minutes to cook off moisture before it goes back into the sauce.

Should I cut okra or leave it whole?

Either works. Sliced okra gives you more surface area for browning and sauce clinging. Whole small pods look pretty and feel a little more elegant. For this recipe, sliced is my weeknight default.

How spicy is this?

Mild to medium as written. For mild, start with 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. For medium, use 1/2 tsp. If you want it spicy, add more flakes or a chopped fresh chile with the onions.

How do I pick good okra?

Go for small to medium pods that look bright and feel firm. If they are very large or bendy, they can be woody. If you can, snap the tip. It should break cleanly, not flex.

Is this a gumbo-style okra dish?

No roux, no long simmer. Think of it as a quick, rich tomato-braised okra with warm spices and a bright finish.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Large skillet or sauté pan (12-inch is ideal)
Chef’s knife and cutting board
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
Measuring spoons
Microplane or fine grater (optional, for garlic)

I used to be an okra skeptic. Not in a dramatic way, just in a quiet, polite way like, “No thanks, I am good.” Then I started chasing that restaurant-style okra where the edges are browned and the sauce tastes like it has history. The trick was not some secret ingredient. It was heat, patience for the sear, and seasoning I actually meant.

This is the version I make when I want something comforting but still punchy. I call it luscious and rich because it is, but also because it is the kind of dish that makes you stand at the stove and taste one more time, then one more time again, just to be sure.

Spiced Okra Recipe

(4.8 Reviews)

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

1 lb fresh okra, trimmed and sliced into 1/2-inch coins (or left whole if small)
2 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, canola, or grapeseed), plus more if needed
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
1/2 cup water or low-sodium vegetable broth
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp ground turmeric (optional, for warmth and color)
1/4 to 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, to taste
1 tsp brown sugar or honey (optional, to round the tomatoes)
1 tbsp lemon juice, plus wedges for serving
2 tbsp chopped cilantro or parsley (optional)

Optional add-ins: 1 cup chickpeas for extra heft, or 1/2 cup coconut milk for a creamier, richer finish.

Instructions

Prep the okra. Rinse and pat it very dry. Trim the stems. Slice into coins, or keep small pods whole. Dry okra browns better, and better browning usually means less slime.
Sear for crisp edges. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the oil. When it shimmers, add okra in a single layer (work in two batches if needed). Cook 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until you see browned spots and crisp edges. Transfer okra to a plate.
Build the base. Lower heat to medium. Add a touch more oil if the pan is dry. Add onion and 1/2 tsp of the salt, then cook 4 to 5 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
Bloom the flavor. Add garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, turmeric (if using), and red pepper flakes. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Caramelize the tomato paste. Add tomato paste and stir constantly for 1 to 2 minutes. You want it to darken slightly and stick a bit. That is where the depth comes from.
Simmer the sauce. Add diced tomatoes and water or broth. Scrape up any browned bits. Add the remaining 1 tsp salt (plus more to taste) and the brown sugar or honey (if using). Simmer 6 to 8 minutes until slightly thickened.
If using chickpeas: stir them in here so they warm through and soak up the sauce.
Add okra back in. Return seared okra to the skillet. Stir gently and simmer 4 to 6 minutes, until tender but not mushy and the sauce looks rich. Okra can still release a little mucilage as it simmers, but the sear and the tomatoes help keep it in the “silky” zone, not the “slippery” one.
Finish bright. Turn off heat. Stir in lemon juice. If you are using coconut milk, stir it in now for a creamy finish. Taste and adjust with more salt, chili flakes, or a small squeeze of lemon.
Serve. Spoon over rice, with cornbread, or alongside roasted chicken. Add lemon wedges for extra pop, or skip them if you are not in a citrus mood.

A spoon lifting tender okra coated in rich spiced tomato sauce from a skillet

Nutrition information is estimated.

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