11 Best Easy Okra Recipes

If you’ve never eaten okra—a nutritious and versatile food with a fresh, vegetal flavor and some amazing culinary attributes—you’re in for a treat. And if you have had it and don’t think you like it, perhaps you’ve never had it quite like this.

What Is Okra?

Similar to peppers, okra is an edible seed pod. The outside of the pod has an almost furry, rough feel, as opposed to the smooth, shiny skin on a pepper. Though it grows profusely in the Southern U.S. and is a big part of Southern cuisine, okra is actually a part of many cuisines across the world, especially African and South Asian cuisines. As a food, okra came to the U.S. from West Africa during the slave trade era. It was introduced into Southern cuisine by African cooks.

What Does Okra Taste Like?

Many people love okra for the body that it adds to soups and stews: When boiled, okra becomes mucilaginous (or “slimy”) and is an integral part of dishes such as gumbo. (Both gumbo and okra are derived from African words.) Okra also happens to be very good for you. With plenty of fiber and a decent amount of potassium and vitamin C, it’s a great side dish or ingredient if you’re looking to eat a little healthier.

When buying okra, look for smaller, more tender pods, at most 3-4 inches long or shorter, that still feel firm when raw.