11 Okra Side Dishes to Make With Your Summer Haul

Air Fryer Roasted Okra
Photo by Buckwheat Queen.

Put your latest okra haul to good use with one of our favorite okra side dishes. From simple Southern favorites (classic fried okra is never a bad idea, and you can't go wrong with an okra-tomato pairing) to quick and easy sides you can make in your air fryer (if you love fresh flavor but can't handle sliminess, air-fried okra is definitely for you), you'll find a delicious new way to use summer produce in this collection of our best okra side dish recipes.

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Roasted Okra

roasted okra on a white surface
CSteichen

If you're hesitant to try okra because of a particularly slimy experience in your past, try this super crispy roasted okra you can make with just four ingredients.

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Spicy Air-Fried Okra

Spicy Air-Fried Okra
Buckwheat Queen

A teaspoon of chili-lime seasoning (such as Tajin) adds subtle spiciness and tangy citrus flavor to this simple air-fried okra recipe. If you need a little extra kick, you can add more to taste.

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Okra Rice

Okra Rice
Dee

Add a bright pop of flavor, color, and texture to your basic white rice with sliced okra cooked in bacon grease.

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Fried Okra

Fried Okra slices
Gem Smith

You can't go wrong with this simple Southern side dish. Okra is dredged in cornmeal seasoned with salt and pepper, then fried until golden in a large skillet.

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Okra and Tomatoes

Okra and Tomatoes
happytocook

This colorful side dish (made with tomatoes, okra, and bacon) practically screams "summertime." It comes together in just half an hour on the stove.

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Grandma Oma's Pickled Okra

Grandma Oma's Pickled Okra
Kelly Lynch

This old-fashioned family recipe for quick pickled okra is easy to make with just fresh okra, red chile peppers, dried dill, water, vinegar, and salt.

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Okra Salad

13972.jpg

A simple side salad made with bacon, okra, onion, green bell pepper, and tomato is tossed in a tangy vinegar dressing.

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Lemony Grilled Okra

Lemony Grilled Okra
Soup Loving Nicole

Never tried grilled okra? It's time to remedy that ASAP with this irresistible recipe flavored with cayenne, paprika, lemon juice, garlic powder, rosemary, and thyme.

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Egyptian Okra

Egyptian Okra
Allrecipes Photo

Egyptian okra, or bamya, is a versatile side dish to pair with your favorite dinners. Reviewer Janae Lee suggests serving with a pan-fried chicken breast and pilaf.

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Indian Okra in the Air Fryer (Kurkuri Bhindi)

Air Fryer Indian Okra
Photo by Hindustanisakhisaheli. Hindustanisakhisaheli

Okra is cooked in a skillet with gram flour, salt, chili powder, coriander, chaat masala, cumin, and amchoor, then "fried" in an air fryer to crispy perfection.

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Air Fryer Roasted Okra

air-fried okra in a white bowl
Buckwheat Queen

Simply seasoned with just salt and pepper, even the pickiest eaters will enjoy this air-fried okra. "Love the flavor of okra, but dislike the slimy texture? Air-fry the slime out of it," says recipe creator and Allrecipes Allstar Soup Loving Nicole.

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More Inspiration

Al's Sufferin' Succotash
Renee Paj

Try one of our favorite Southern Side Dishes. Plus, explore our entire collection of Okra Recipes.

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