Fried Okra

Southern Fried Okra is crispy and delicious. Made with fresh okra, battered in buttermilk and a seasoned flour and cornmeal mixture. A tasty side dish to add to any dinner.

We grow okra in our garden every year and this crispy fried okra recipe is always a hit. It’s a southern staple to serve alongside fried shrimp, marinated pork chops or with a Sunday rump roast.

Fried Okra ~ Classic Southern Side Dish

The texture of crispy fried okra is our favorite, it’s not the slimy texture that you sometimes get with stewed okra or when it’s cooked in soups. It’s a great side dish for just about any meal and we love to dip it in ketchup, ranch dressing or comeback sauce.

If you are an okra fan, you will also like these quick and easy Okra Fritters for a southern side dish that everyone will love.

Ingredients Needed:

• Okra
• Buttermilk
• Cornmeal
• All Purpose Flour
• Kosher Salt
• Black Pepper
• Vegetable Oil

Optional Seasonings:

• Garlic Powder
• Cayenne Pepper
• Cajun Seasoning

Just take me to the Fried Okra Recipe.

If you are just looking for the Fried Okra Recipe, just scroll all the way to the bottom for the easy printable recipe card with full instructions. For my best tips and tricks to make the best fried okra recipe, just keep reading .

How to Make Fried Okra

1. Wash and remove okra tops and slice into 1/2 inch pieces.
2. Set up a dredging station by adding buttermilk to a shallow dish and flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper to another dish.
3. Toss sliced okra in buttermilk and then into cornmeal and flour mixture.
4. Place on a baking sheet in a single layer.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet.
6. Fry okra in batches, not over crowding the pan.
7. Drain on paper towels.
8. Sprinkle with additional salt if desired.

Tips for Deep Frying Okra:

• Use a heavy bottom dutch oven or cast iron skillet with a deep-fry thermometer. It will help keep your oil at an even temperature.
• Heat oil to 350° before adding okra. This is the best way to get crispy pieces of okra.
• Use a strainer or slotted spoon to stir okra to keep it from sticking together as it fries.
• Drain okra on a wire rack lined with paper towels in a single layer.
• Sprinkle with a little kosher salt right when you remove the okra from the oil.

Okra grows best in the scorching summer heat. The smaller pods are the most tender, so pick them early. The larger pods tend to get tough.

If you are purchasing okra from the farmers market or grocery store, look for smaller, bright green pods with no black spots. The black spots indicate the okra is no longer fresh.

More Fried Recipes to Try:

Fried Squash is another favorite with our garden produce. My kids are crazy about this easy side dish.

Fried Pickles are the ultimate game day appetizer. Serve them up with ranch dressing for a crowd pleasing snack.

Chicken Fried Steak Bites are a hit for dinner any night of the week. Served up with country gravy, this is one of those meals that your family will be begging for.

Easy Popcorn Chicken is a great snack or easy dinner for busy weeknights. So much tastier than the drive thru and easy to make at home.

This is the best fried okra recipe that makes the perfect side dish for any meal. During the summer nothing beats a large bowl of fried okra, sliced tomatoes and green beans from the garden.

If you love this Recipe as much as I do, please leave a comment and a five star review, and be sure to help me share on Pinterest!

Print Recipe

4.64 from 25 votes

Fried Okra

Southern Fried Okra is crispy and delicious. Made with fresh okra, battered in buttermilk and a seasoned flour and cornmeal mixture. A tasty side dish to add to any dinner. 

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: okra, okra recipe, southern fried okra

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 275kcal

Author: Milisa

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh okra
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 3 cups vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

• Wash and trim ends of okra and slice into 1/2 inch pieces.
• Place buttermilk in a shallow dish.
• Mix flour, cornmeal, salt and pepper together in another dish.
• Dip okra slices in buttermilk and then through flour mixture, coating all sides.
• Place in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Heat oil in a heavy skillet or pan to 350°.
• Fry okra in batches for about 3- 4 minutes, stirring to keep them separated.
• Remove to a paper towel lined wire rack to drain.
• Season with additional salt if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 663mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g