Southern Fried Okra
Southern Fried Okra is crunchy and delicious. Enjoy as a snack or side dish. Easy to make with simple ingredients. Recipe and photography by Beverly Davis for CornbreadMillionaire.com.
Servings: 3 servings
Calories: 113kcal
Cost: $12
Ingredients
- 2 cups okra sliced 1/2-thick or larger fresh or frozen/thawed
- 1-1/2 cups self-rising white cornmeal mix
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper more or less as preferred
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic herb seasoning blend optional
- 1 teaspoon salt more or less as preferred
- 1/4 cup buttermilk (optional)* Use if a thick breading is preferred.
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Wash sliced okra in warm/salty water. Rinse in warm/clear water.
- Thoroughly pat dry with thick paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Set aside.
- Pour buttermilk into a medium sized bowl. Set aside. DO THIS STEP IF A THICK BREADING IS PREFERRED.
- In a separate zippered bag or bowl, combine white cornmeal mix, coarse ground black pepper, salt, and garlic seasoning blend (if using).
- Drop okra chunks into bowl of buttermilk. Remove with a slotted spoon. Drain excess. DO THIS STEP IF A THICK BREADING IS PREFERRED.
- Roll okra chunks in cornmeal mixture until evenly coated. Set aside.
- Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet. Warm over low-medium heat until sizzling hot, but not smoking (1-2 minutes). Drop ONE battered okra chunk into the hot oil. If it sizzles, add enough okra chunks to create a single layer.
- Turn heat up to medium.
- Fry 2 to 3 minutes OR until golden brown.
- Flip over and fry 2 to 3 more minutes OR until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Repeat until all okra has been fried.
- Serve hot or warm.