If you grow fresh okra in your garden – or buy it from the supermarket once in a while – you will probably be aware that there are numerous ways to prepare and cook this delicious veggie. But is it possible to roast okra?
To roast okra, slice it up and toss it with oil, salt, and pepper until it is evenly coated. You can then roast it for around 20 minutes until it starts to change colour slightly. It’s then ready to serve up and enjoy.
How to Roast Okra
While most recipes call for okra to be fried, roasting it produces equally (if not more) tasty results. And while it takes slightly longer, roasted okra is well worth the wait. Here are the steps you need to follow to roast okra successfully:
- Preheat Oven
Switch on your oven and preheat to 450F or 230C. - Prepare Okra
Rinse your okra under the cold tap and pat dry. Then, slice it into relatively small chunks. - Season
Place your okra into a mixing bowl and season with salt, pepper, and olive oil. We would also recommend finely slicing an onion, as the flavours complement one another beautifully in the oven. - Place on a Baking Tray
Lay your seasoned okra evenly on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, ensuring it is well spaced. - Roast
Place your okra in the centre of the oven and roast it for twenty minutes. - Serve and Enjoy
As your okra starts to darken and soften, it’s ready to remove from the oven and serve. Be sure not to leave it in the oven for too long as it will burn.
Yes, okra can be roasted with parmesan. When tossing okra with oil and seasoning before roasting it, add a handful of grated parmesan cheese, then roast for around 20 minutes.
How to Roast Okra Successfully
If you want things to go well when roasting okra, make sure you stick to these 3 simple tips:
- Roast from Frozen – If you have frozen okra to preserve it for longer, the great news is that you can roast it directly from frozen for awesome results. You will need to increase the cooking time from 20 to 30 minutes, as it will take longer to reach its desired consistency when frozen.
- Soak it in Vinegar Before Roasting – If your okra is too slimy for your liking after it has been roasted, you could try soaking it in vinegar before roasting it. Add some vinegar to a bowl and submerge the okra for no more than thirty minutes before roasting it; this should prevent it from becoming too slimy.
- Enjoy Raw – Did you know that you can enjoy okra raw? It’s delicious and crispy if you eat it while it’s still fresh, and eating raw okra is an extremely healthy way to enjoy okra while you prepare a batch for roasting in the oven!
Why You Should Roast Okra?
Ultimately, there are many ways of cooking okra, but roasting it is one of the best. And here’s why:
Delicious
It’s impossible to ignore the fact that roasted okra tastes amazing. When seasoned properly, you will wonder why on earth it has taken you this long to try roasted okra!
Ultimately, when you roast any vegetable, it takes on a sweet and nutty flavour that is hard to replicate with any other form of cooking. That’s why we love roasting cauliflower.
Easy
Roasting okra is extremely straightforward, and you don’t even need to defrost it beforehand.
The prep can be done in less than five minutes, and after twenty minutes in the oven, you will have a serving of okra to die for. What’s not to love about that?!
Why You Shouldn’t Roast Okra?
Some people will shy away from roasting okra for the following reasons:
Burns Easily
If you cut your okra too fine and have your oven too hot, you will find that it can burn as you roast it. Therefore, be sure to slice your okra accordingly and ensure you follow the other instructions as listed above.
Becomes Slimy
If you cook okra incorrectly, you might find that it has turned slimy after roasting, or indeed any other cooking method.
To avoid this, soak it in vinegar before roasting it, and you will be certain to enjoy roasted okra that is crunchy and delicious.
Is It Safe to Roast Okra?
Yes, roasting okra is completely safe, and there’s very little to worry about from a safety perspective.
As is the case with cooking and enjoying all vegetables, you need to make sure your okra is fresh before you cook it and is free from blemishes or discolouration.
Providing your okra is good, then you won’t have any problems when you come to roast it.
Does Okra Roast Well?
Okra roasts so well that you will wonder why it has taken you so long to try this method of cooking in the first place!
It has the crunch and crispiness of fried okra, and it is a truly delightful side dish to serve alongside your chosen accompaniments.
Roast Okra FAQs
If you still have questions about roasting okra, then perhaps these will help you:
If you find that okra becomes slimy once you cook it, try soaking it in vinegar before cooking. This can remove some of the coating on that okra that becomes slimy.
We would advise washing okra (and any vegetables) before roasting them. However, ensure they are completely dry so that the oil and seasoning stick to the outside of the okra.
Ross is a freelance writer with a passion for delicious food and drinks, having worked in the hospitality industry in the past. He began working with Let’s Foodie when it first launched to provide information on how to reheat, freeze and microwave different foods.
