How to Pickle Okra: Easy Pickled Okra Recipe

Pickled okra is a briny side dish made by soaking fresh okra pods in a brine of water, vinegar, and salt, along with a seasoning blend of your choice. Okra pods are partially hollow, so they readily absorb the juices and seasonings of the pickling liquid. For example, soaking okra in a mix of red pepper, garlic, and jalapeños gives the pickle a slight kick, while preserving the veggie in lemon juice and apple cider vinegar results in a citrus flavor. Add herbs, such as sprigs of fresh dill or tarragon, to your pickling juice for an earthy flavor.

Okra is a hardy vegetable with numerous health benefits: It’s a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin K, and folic acid. Pickled okra retains these nutrients, but the pickling liquid increases the salt content of the veggie. While okra is typically an ingredient for soups and gumbo, chefs often serve pickled okra as a side dish with roasted meat and other veggies, an appetizer with toasted bread, or a snack.

You can mix pickled okra into salads, add it to appetizers, or serve it as a stand-alone side dish. Here are some dishes that can accommodate the refreshing dish:

1. 1. Shrimp au gratin: Shrimp au gratin is a cheesy seafood casserole dish. An appetizer or entrée, the dish combines layers of cheese sauce and shrimp, according to a culinary technique called gratin, which involves topping a dish with panko breadcrumbs, cheese, or melted butter before baking it under a broiler to achieve a crispy brown crust. Serve shrimp au gratin as an entrée with pickled okra on the side for a country-style meal.
2. 2. Bruschetta: Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer consisting of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and finished with a drizzle of olive oil. Tomato and basil are a common bruschetta topping, as well as beans and cured meats. Serve pickled okra atop toasted bruschetta to create a Southern twist on this refreshing appetizer.
3. 3. Succotash salad: Succotash is a dish made with a mix of vegetables, most often fresh corn kernels and beans, like lima beans or fava beans. Mix pickled okra into your succotash salad to create a crunchy texture that pairs well with a zesty lemon vinaigrette.
   
4. 4. Fried chicken: Crispy, juicy fried chicken is a staple in Southern cuisine and a great weeknight dinner or backyard BBQ meal. Serve pickled okra alongside warm fried chicken: The pickled dish is a great substitute for traditional fried okra and offers a nice balance to the chicken.
5. 5. Grilled cheese sandwich: Enjoy a side of pickled okra with a classic grilled cheese sandwich—the cool, tangy okra offers a satisfying contrast to the hot melted cheese.

Store pickled okra in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two months. If you plan on using your pickled okra within a few days, store it on a countertop to allow the okra pods to absorb the pickling juices and flavors.

You can store pickled okra in an airtight container at room temperature, but it will only last seven to ten days.