Grilled Okra Recipe: How to Make Grilled Okra

Grilled okra is a flame-grilled preparation of the classic Southern vegetable made with a trio of pantry staples: olive oil, salt, and pepper. Okra grows from the okra plant (Hibiscus esculentus), which has a tall stalk with large leaves and butter-yellow flowers. The star-shaped, seed-filled okra pods are popular in Southern American cooking. Okra is a common ingredient in soups and stews, such as gumbo.

Charring these pot-like vegetables over high heat on a grill gives them a crispy exterior and eliminates any hint of sliminess. You can also fry, blanch, or pickle the small pods or stir-fry okra with other vegetables and aromatics. This gluten-free roasted vegetable dish makes for the perfect nutritious appetizer or veggie side dish to serve at any BBQ spread.

You can enjoy grilled okra alongside countless dishes, whether you’re eating Southern food or Spanish food. Here are some foods you can serve with grilled okra:

1. 1. Fried chicken: Grilled okra pairs well with fried chicken to add greens to the decadent dish. Try this simple and flavorful fried chicken recipe.
2. 2. Grilled shrimp: Shrimp and okra are a staple pairing for a reason. Serve your grilled okra alongside seasoned and grilled shrimp alongside a bowl of rice.
3. 3. Pulled pork sandwiches: Okra also makes a delicious and nutritious side dish for pulled pork platters and sandwiches.
4. 4. Grilled veggie medley: Incorporate grilled okra into a veggie and dip platter that vegetarians can enjoy. Serve grilled okra with other complementary grilled vegetables like eggplant, onions, tomatoes, and summer squash topped with a chimichurri sauce, zesty ranch, or spiced vinaigrette for a delicious meat-free main dish.
   
5. 5. Aiolis and dips: Serve grilled okra with a flavorful aioli, dipping sauce, or dressing for a tasty, low-effort appetizer.

Home cooks of all experience levels should have minimal difficulty making this simple side dish, but here are a few tips to help you in the cooking process.

1. 1. Use fresh okra. Use fresh, in-season okra from the farmers’ market or grocery store that is smooth and bright green with no brown spots. Never grill frozen okra.
2. 2. Skewer the okra. Skewer your whole okra pods and cook them directly on your grill plates for a pleasantly charred flavor. Additionally, skewering will prevent the okra from slipping through the grill grates as you cook them.
3. 3. Experiment with seasonings. There is no shortage of herbs and spices with which you season your grilled okra. Incorporate zesty Creole or Cajun seasoning or smoked paprika. Add some heat with ground cayenne pepper. Incorporate garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, and herbs like cilantro for a classic combination of flavors. Top the grilled okra with a squeeze of lemon juice or vinegar drizzle before serving for added acidity and brightness.