Fried Okra

Name: Fried Okra
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb okra, sliced; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper; 2 cups vegetable oil

Sliced okra soaked in buttermilk and tossed in seasoned cornmeal, then fried to a golden crunch. A classic side dish served hot and crispy.

25 minEasyServes 4240 cal/serving

AmericanSideStovetopVegetarianHalal-friendlyKosher-styleNut-FreeSoy-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-Free

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Ingredients

1 lb okra, sliced
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
2 cups vegetable oil

Instructions

1

Place 1 lb sliced okra in a bowl and pour 1/2 cup buttermilk over it, stirring to coat completely.
2

In a separate wide dish, whisk together 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper.
3

Remove okra from buttermilk with a slotted spoon and dredge in the cornmeal mixture until well coated.
4

Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F.
5

Fry okra in batches for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then drain on paper towels.

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Questions

How hot should the oil be for Fried Okra?

For Fried Okra, the frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 4. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy.

What can I use instead of buttermilk in Fried Okra?

The entry for Fried Okra calls for 1/2 cup buttermilk. In its place: Stir a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into a cup of milk and let it stand five minutes. Plain yogurt thinned with milk also works.

Can I make Fried Okra less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Fried Okra comes from 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper. For a milder plate, halve the cayenne; nothing else in the method changes.

Can I make Fried Okra gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Fried Okra is 1/4 cup all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

Is Fried Okra vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 1/2 cup buttermilk. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan side collection.

Serve it with

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BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders main
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Ground Pork main

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