Simple Okra, Tomatoes and Onions Stir-Fry

Here’s my trusted recipe for okra, tomatoes and onions – a simple Southern side dish that combines fresh garden vegetables cooked together until they’re tender and flavorful. The okra gets nice and soft while the tomatoes and onions create a light sauce that ties it all together.

This dish shows up on my table at least once a week during okra season. My kids actually ask for seconds, which is pretty impressive for a vegetable side! It’s become our go-to way to use up fresh summer produce from the farmer’s market.

What Kind of Okra Should I Use?

Fresh okra is ideal for this dish, but frozen okra can work in a pinch – just make sure to thaw and pat it dry before cooking. When shopping for fresh okra, look for pods that are bright green, firm, and between 2-4 inches long – anything bigger tends to be tough and woody. The best okra for this recipe will snap easily when bent; if it bends without breaking, it’s probably too old. For those worried about okra’s famous sliminess, keeping the pods whole or cutting them into larger pieces (about 1/2 inch) can help reduce the effect, and cooking them with acidic tomatoes also helps cut down on the viscosity.

Options for Substitutions

This simple veggie dish can be adapted with a few easy swaps if needed:

• Fresh okra: While fresh okra gives the best texture, you can use frozen okra in a pinch – just know it might be a bit more tender. I don’t recommend using canned okra as it can be too mushy.
• Sweet onions: Any type of onion works here! Yellow, white, or even red onions can step in for sweet onions. Red onions will add a slightly sharper taste.
• Fresh tomatoes: As mentioned in the recipe, canned diced tomatoes work great. You could also use cherry tomatoes (about 2 cups halved) or even 2 cups of canned stewed tomatoes.
• Hot sauce: If you want some heat but don’t have hot sauce, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes, a diced jalapeño, or a dash of cayenne pepper instead.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when cooking okra is dealing with its natural sliminess – to minimize this, make sure your pan is hot before adding the okra and avoid overcrowding, which can trap steam and increase the slimy texture.

Another common mistake is adding tomatoes too early in the cooking process – it’s best to let the okra cook for about 5-7 minutes first, allowing it to develop a slight char before introducing the acidic tomatoes which can help cut through any remaining sliminess.

Temperature control is crucial – cooking the vegetables on too low heat will make them mushy, while too high heat might burn them before they’re properly cooked through, so maintain a medium-high heat throughout the cooking process.

For the best flavor development, don’t rush the onions – let them cook until they’re soft and slightly golden, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes, before adding your other ingredients.

What to Serve With Okra and Tomatoes?

This Southern-style okra and tomatoes dish makes a perfect side for classic comfort foods! It pairs wonderfully with cornbread or hot buttermilk biscuits, which are perfect for soaking up all those tasty juices. For a complete meal, serve it alongside fried chicken, grilled pork chops, or blackened catfish – the fresh vegetables balance out the richer main dishes really well. If you want to keep things simple, just spoon it over a bowl of steamed white rice or grits, which turns this veggie side into a satisfying main dish.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This okra and tomato dish tastes great the next day! Place any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get better as they hang out together, making this perfect for quick lunch options.

Make Ahead: You can prep the ingredients in advance by chopping the onions and slicing the okra up to a day before. Store them separately in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. Just keep in mind that cut tomatoes are best used right away for the freshest taste.

Warm Up: To enjoy your leftovers, simply heat them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or pop them in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes. Give it a quick stir halfway through heating to make sure everything warms evenly.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	20-30 minutes
Total Time	30-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 150-200
• Protein: 3-5 g
• Fat: 1-3 g
• Carbohydrates: 35-40 g

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups chopped sweet onions
• 2 1/2 cups sliced okra
• 3 medium tomatoes, chopped (or one 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes)
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• Optional: hot sauce

Step 1: Prepare and Combine Ingredients

Place all your ingredients—including the juice from the tomatoes—into a Dutch oven.

Make sure each component, such as the onion and okra, is prepared to your recipe specifications.

This ensures even cooking throughout.

Step 2: Cook Until Desired Tenderness

Set the Dutch oven over medium heat and cook until the onion and okra are just crisp-tender or done to your liking.

Be mindful not to over-stir, as excessive stirring can increase the sliminess of the okra.

Monitor the cooking closely, adjusting the heat if necessary to maintain a gentle simmer that encourages even cooking.

Step 3: Season to Taste

Taste the dish and add salt and pepper as desired only after the onion and okra have reached your preferred tenderness.

Adding salt too early may enhance the sliminess, so be cautious with seasoning.

Consider flavors and adjust according to your taste preferences.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the dish hot, and if you prefer a bit of additional flavor, offer hot sauce on the side.

This provides a customizable level of spice for those who enjoy a little extra heat with their meals.

Step 5: Freezing and Reheating

If you plan to make this dish ahead or have leftovers, note that it freezes well in any quantity desired.

To maintain the best quality, be sure to store it in airtight containers.

When ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat, ensuring the dish reaches an appropriate temperature before serving.