Savor This Summer Staple with Our 10 Favorite Okra Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What does vinegar do to okra? ›

A vinegar bath works to combat okra's sliminess by dissolving its gelatinous substance. To understand this, we have to look at okra's composition. You won't be able to tell by just looking at it, but the green okra pod you see is made up of a gel-like substance. This is why it's called a mucilaginous food.

My favorite way to cook raw okra is in a stir-fry with onions. If you can eat nightshades, okra is also fantastic with tomatoes, a natural pairing since okra and tomatoes are part of the same late summer crop.

Some African cooks, she said, go in the other direction, adding baking soda (which raises pH to a more alkaline level) to okra soup to augment its thickening effect.

A vinegar bath also does wonders to reduce the slimy consistency. Before cooking, soak the pods in vinegar for 30 minutes to help break up and dissolve the slime. Pat the pods completely dry before cooking.

Eating an excess of okra can unfavorably influence certain individuals. Gastrointestinal issues: Okra contains fructans, which is a sort of carb. Fructans can cause the runs, gas, squeezing, and bulging in individuals with existing entrail issues. Kidney stones: Okra is high in oxalates.

One popular way to reduce okra's sliminess is to "soak it in vinegar for 30 minutes [before cooking with it], which helps to break up and dissolve the slime," says food scientist, food industry consultant, and author Bryan Le.

It's rich in magnesium, folate, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C, K1, and A. Okra may benefit pregnant women, heart health, and blood sugar control. It may even have anticancer properties.

Some say soaking the okra in vinegar for 30 minutes to one hour before cooking can reduce the sliminess. Just make sure to pat it completely dry before cooking.

Place okra in a saucepan; add enough water to cover the okra and salt to taste; bring the water to boil. Cover the pan and cook eight to 10 minutes or until the okra is tender. Drain well and, if desired, toss with a little butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Roast okra is a healthy snack alternative to the fried version, although it does have quite a few uses in the kitchen! Turn it into a variety of other dishes like stuffed peppers, gumbo or even Spanish rice to add a nice roasted flavor. Most commonly though, they're great as a starter, side or delicious snack!

Why is okra a laxative? ›

Nearly half of the fiber in okra is soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart disease. Insoluble fiber, also found in okra, helps keep the intestinal tract healthy, can help relieve constipation and may decrease the risk of colon cancer.

In fact, the sticky mucilage in okra is made up of polysaccharides such as collagen and mucopolysaccharides that improve the feeding of beneficial microorganisms in the gut. The main effect is laxative, supporting digestive disorders.

Q: Can you eat Okra raw? A: Yes, you can eat okra raw, but it's important to note that raw okra can have a slightly slimy texture. This sliminess is more pronounced when okra is cooked, but it's still present to some extent when eaten raw.

Keep okra pods intact when briefly cooking (like stir frying or grilling) to minimise sliminess (which comes from inside the pod). Acidic ingredients like citrus juice, vinegar and even tomato are known to help too.

One popular way to reduce okra's sliminess is to "soak it in vinegar for 30 minutes [before cooking with it], which helps to break up and dissolve the slime," says food scientist, food industry consultant, and author Bryan Le.