Okra – How to Prep Okra

Take your recipes to the next level by learning how to prepare okra at home!

The okra is sometimes called “lady’s fingers” because of its green stalks. This is usually used in African and Asian dishes to add texture and flavor. I love using it for soups and stews.

It has a mild flavor yet it has a fantastic effect on the texture of your dishes. You can cook so many dishes with okra and every recipe will surely be worth your time and effort.

Always make the most of it and start with preparing it properly in your kitchen. It’s easy, quick, and effective – perfect for cooking any okra dish you like.

If you want to enjoy more recipes with it, then it’s important to know how to prep it. In this guide, I’ll share two of the best methods that work best. Get your okra and let’s get started!

How to Prep Okra

There are different ways of preparing okra and I usually use a knife or a blender for most of them. Today, I will show you two of the best ways to prepare it. You will certainly find these tips helpful whenever you need it in your recipes.

Before we dive into the tutorial, let’s learn a little more about the okra, shall we?

Health Benefits of Okra

Looking for more reasons to start eating okra? Well, here are its top health benefits. 

• Okro is rich in antioxidants, so it can help boost immunity and reduce inflammation. 
• Eating this regularly can also boost brain function for deeper learning and better memory. 
• According to Healthline, okra is good for your heart because it regulates cholesterol levels. 
• It also has lectin to help prevent cancer cells and promote cancer cell death. 
• Avoid diabetes by regulating your blood sugar levels with this food. 
• Moreover, okra is fiber-rich to help with digestion, gut health, and metabolism. 

Enjoy these health benefits and more by adding it to your diet! 

Ingredient

Do you have fresh okra in your kitchen?

Okra

Did you know that okra is a fruit, but it is eaten as a vegetable? It’s a green pod that has edible seeds inside. Whether whole or chopped, you can always use it for your recipes.

It is also known for its slimy quality, and it is the reason why it is popularly used in soups and stews. Furthermore, it has mucilage that makes it viscous, especially when cooked to thicken dishes. 

What does okra taste like? It has a mild, grassy flavor that reminds you of green beans. Its texture depends on how you cook it. For instance, stir-frying can give you crunchy snacks, while slow cooking can give you soft and tender ones. 

There are also plenty of ways to use it. For instance, you can roast them to make crispy and healthy snacks. It can be added to stir-fry recipes too. 

How do you usually enjoy okra?

Directions

As promised, here are two of the best methods you can use to prepare okra:

Method 1 (Using a Knife)

1. Use a knife to cut off the pointy end of the okra. 
2. Slice through it to expose the seeds. 
3. Then, chop it into small pieces. 
4. Throw away the hard stalk. 

Method 2 (Using a Blender)

1. Slice the okra into three to four pieces with a knife.
2. Then, pour water into the blender. 
3. Blend the contents until you get your preferred consistency. 

Try both methods and let me know which one you prefer. Don’t forget to share your results in the comment section. Now, you are ready to cook with okro! 

Tips

Buying okra

• Martha Stewart suggests buying slim okra the size of your pinkie. 
• Don’t buy ones with bulges in the middle; this means that it is too mature. 
• Always go for firm instead of bendy ones. 
• If you want to use whole fruit, then buy slender and smaller ones. 

Storing okra

• Store the okro in the fridge to last for a few days. 
• It is best to use fresh ones within three days. 
• Do not wash it before storing it. 

Alternative Ways to Prepare Okra

Aside from using a knife or blender, you can also use a grater or food processor to achieve similar results. Sometimes, you don’t need to chop okro. Just boil it and serve it as a side dish! 

Roast

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C. 
2. Distribute the okra on a lined baking tray. 
3. Then, season it with oil, salt, and pepper. 
4. Roast it for up to 15 minutes. 

Air fry

1. Start by preheating the air fryer to 175°C.
2. Coat it with oil, salt, and pepper. 
3. Then, place the okra in the air fryer basket. 
4. Cook it in the air fryer for 10 minutes. 
5. Don’t forget to shake the basket after the first five minutes. 

Saute

1. Heat oil or butter in a skillet. 
2. Then, toss in the chopped okra. 
3. Saute it for about four minutes or until the okra starts to brown. 
4. Season it with salt and pepper.

Recommended Tools

• Knife: Chop the okro using a knife.
• Blender: Prepare it by pulsing it in a blender. 
• Container: Put the chopped or blended contents in a container.
• Cutting board: Chop it on a clean cutting board.

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How to Use Okra

Check the recipe you want to cook to know which way of preparing okra works best.

I usually use chopped or blendedWhat is the best way to prepare okra? okra is best used for soups and stews. It helps thicken the broth for a thick and creamy consistency. In fact, you can also turn these into juices and smoothies for healthy drinks. 

One of my favorite ways of using okro is Okro Soup! It’s a gelatinous, delicious, and hearty meal that tastes amazing. You can even top it off with beef, fish, turkey, or other vegetables for the best meal. 

If you don’t like its slimy quality, then you can chop it into small pieces and fry them for a snack instead. This can also be used for gumbo, masala, jambalaya, and more! 

If you would like to try African recipes, Oat Fufu, Amala Fele Fele and Plantain Fufu perfectly pair with Okro Soup as a side dish.

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Use chopped or blended okra within a few hours to prevent it from drying and browning. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to prepare okra?

It depends on how you want to eat the okra. If you plan on using it for soups and stews, then you can use the methods mentioned in this guide. You can also chop it into slightly larger pieces to saute, air fry, or roast it. 

How do you clean okra before cooking?

Rinse the okra only before you use it. Washing it before you store it can shorten its lifespan. Then, chop it or blend it, depending on how you will use it. 

How long to soak okra before cooking?

You do not need to soak okra before cooking. However, you can soak it in vinegar if you want to reduce the slimy texture. Leave it in the vinegar bath for about 30 minutes. 

How do you cut okra before cooking?

Cutting the okra depends on how you want to use it. Okra for soups and stews is best blended to mix into the broth easily. On the other hand, fried ones can be chopped into slightly larger pieces. 

What is the best way to cut okra?

The best way to cut okra depends on the recipe you intend to cook. Some recipes may require finely chopped or blended okra, while others need larger slices.