Southern Stewed Okra and Tomatoes

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This post was originally published on May 7, 2018.

Feeling like Southern food for tonight’s meal?  How about trying a south Georgia classic: stewed okra and tomatoes. 

This recipe is cooked in a skillet, so clean up is a breeze.  Its simple to make, and is low in carbs, plus it’s healthy and low cost to make.  What do you have to lose?

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Questions

What are the health benefits?

• High in fiber
• High in vitamins B and C
• High in potassium, folic acid, and calcium
• Can help manage blood sugar

What are the calories?

One large helping has 276 calories and 21.4g carbs.  It is also high in vitamins A, C, and iron.  For more nutritional information, please scroll to the bottom of the recipe card.

How do you know when okra is cooked?

It will change color from a bright green to a darker olive green, and it will be soft. 

What makes okra slimy?

This green vegetable has mucilage in it, which is a thick syrupy substance made from sugar residues and proteins.  It becomes a natural thickening agent when boiled.  When sliced okra is heated, the mucliage’s viscosity increases and it becomes slimy.

However, when added to soups and stews, it doesn’t taste slimy.  This slime helps thicken the soup or stew and gives it added flavor without having a slimy texture.

How can you make this less slimy?

• Precook the sliced okra over high heat, then add it to your recipe.
• Let it sit in freshly squeezed lemon juice for 5 or 10 minutes before cooking.
• Use it in soups and stews as a thickening agent and for added texture and flavor.
• Stir fry it in large pieces quickly over high heat.
• Deep fry.  It is delicious!

What kind of okra is best?

If you are selecting fresh okra from the grocery store or farmer’s market, remember that small, young pods will be more tender.  The larger pods tend to have a woody spine in the middle, so it’s best to use the smaller pods.

Should you use frozen or fresh okra for stewed okra and tomatoes?

You can use either.  If fresh is available, use it.  If it’s out of season or if you’re in a hurry, use frozen.  My family likes it with fresh or frozen.  When you use frozen, it does cook a little quicker.

How can I make this recipe a main course?

• Increase the cooked bacon to 2 slices per person.
• Add cooked sausage.
• Add shredded chicken.
• Add cooked shrimp.
• Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or grits.

What do you serve with this?

We love it served on top of mashed potatoes, but rice and grits are also popular choices.  Round out your meal with a slab of freshly made cornbread, pork chops, fried chicken, or peach cobbler.

How to Make

Gather the ingredients.  Chop the onion and mince the garlic, then measure the dry and wet ingredients.

Cook the bacon in a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat, turning it over with a fork as needed.  Put the cooked bacon on a paper towel-lined plate, blot off the excess grease, and let it cool.

Pour the bacon fat into a bowl, then pour 1 1/2 tablespoons back into the skillet.

Over medium high heat, sauté the onion for a few minutes until it’s soft, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant.

Pour the chicken stock into the skillet and turn the heat to medium high.  Using a wooden turner, scrape the browned bits from the cooked bacon and onion off the bottom of the skillet.  This is called deglazing and will give this dish more flavor.

Add the diced tomatoes, the sliced okra (fresh or frozen), and the spices.

Stir with a large wooden spoon until well combined.

Cover the skillet with a lid, aluminum foil, or a cookie sheet.  Bring the stew to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from the heat.  If making ahead of time, allow to cool, then cover and place in the fridge. 

Just before serving, add the bacon and stir, but save some of the bacon to use as a garnish.

Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle on the fresh parsley.  Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or grits.

Get out your trusty heavy-bottomed skillet and let this veggie side recipe tempt you to take a taste.  It’s so amazing that you’ll want to add it to your regular rotation for veggie side dishes.  Serve it over our sour cream mashed potatoes and you won’t be disappointed. 

Variations

• Want a vegetarian version?  Omit the bacon and replace the bacon fat for olive oil.
• Want a spicier version?  Try crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a minced jalapeño.
• Want a Cajun version?  Add 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning and use the trinity (onion, green pepper, and celery).
• Want an Indian version?  Try whole cumin seeds, turmeric, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
• Want a different meat?  Try sausage, shrimp, shredded chicken, or ground beef for a main course dish.
• Want more vegetables?  Try fresh cut corn or summer squash.

Pro Tips

• Need to make this ahead?  No problem; just reheat on the stovetop on medium low heat for 30 minutes before serving.
• Don’t have fresh okra or tomatoes?  Use frozen cut okra and canned tomatoes.
• Don’t want to use a yellow onion?  Try using a Vidalia or red onion.

Recommended Tools

• Emeril Lagasse 3-Quart Skillet: this heavy-bottomed skillet cooks evenly.
• OXO Wooden Turner: this handy spoon is perfect for deglazing pans.
• Set of 6 Prep Bowls: display prepped ingredients in these pretty glass bowls.
• Bounty Paper Towels: these have great absorbency and are quite durable.

Craving Southern food?  Try these other delicious vegetable side dishes.

• Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
• Southern Collard Greens
• Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe

The pleasure of a 5-star review would be greatly appreciated.

Recipe

Southern Stewed Okra and Tomatoes

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★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Brooke
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 large servings 1x

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Description

Southern stewed okra and tomatoes is an easy recipe that shows you how to cook okra in a way that will appeal to the whole family.  Eating okra stewed is not only healthy, but it’s also addictive!  Fresh or frozen okra can be used to reap year round benefits of this amazing side dish that is a Southern classic.

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Ingredients

• 7 slices smoked bacon
• 1 1/2 tablespoons bacon fat, rendered from bacon
• 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 28 ounces petite diced tomatoes
• 3 cups okra, fresh or frozen, and cut in 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until cooked through and crispy, turning the bacon over with a fork as needed.  Remove the bacon and blot off excess grease with paper towel.  Let it cool, then cut into half inch pieces or crumble and set aside.  Drain the bacon fat from the skillet, then return 1 1/2 tablespoons of the fat to the skillet.
2. While the bacon is cooking, chop the onion and mince the garlic.  Wash and cut the fresh okra or measure out the frozen.
3. Heat the bacon fat over medium high heat, then saute the onion for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the garlic and stir constantly for a minute.
4. Deglaze the skillet by pouring in the chicken broth and scraping all the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet with a wooden turner.
5. Add the diced tomatoes, okra, salt, and pepper.  Cover the skillet with a lid, aluminum foil, or a small cookie sheet and bring to a boil.  Turn the heat down to medium low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally with a large wooden spoon.
6. Remove from the heat and transfer to a serving bowl.  Stir in the crumbled bacon, reserving some for garnish.  Sprinkle the freshly chopped parsley on top for extra color and flavor.  Serve warm over mashed potatoes, rice, or grits.

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Notes

• Choose no salt added diced tomatoes, unsalted chicken broth, and low sodium bacon for a lower sodium dish.
• Make ahead or leftovers, just reheat on the stovetop on medium low heat for 30 minutes before serving.
• Use frozen cut okra and canned tomatoes is you don’t have fresh.

• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: stewed okra and tomatoes, southern

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