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Okra Stir Fry Recipe

Julia
This easy okra stir fry is a quick, healthy, and flavorful recipe made with simple spices. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or side dish, with no slimy texture!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Side Dish
Servings 4 servings
Calories 117 kcal

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INGREDIENTS
  

  • 2 tablespoons oil, vegetable or olive oil
  • 1 pounds okra, trimmed and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, or ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder, adjust to taste
  • salt, to taste
  • fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS
 

  • Heat oil: warm oil in a large pan and add cumin seeds until sizzling.
    2 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • Cook aromatics: Sauté onion and garlic until softened.
    2 cloves garlic, 1 large onion
  • Add okra: Stir in okra, spices, and salt.
    1 pounds okra, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, salt, 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Stir fry: Cook uncovered until tender and slightly crisp.
  • Finish: Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.
    fresh cilantro
  • Enjoyed this recipe? Leave a quick 5-star rating and review to let me know!

NOTES

  • Use dry okra — moisture is the main reason it turns slimy, so pat it dry before cooking.
  • Cook uncovered — this keeps the texture light and slightly crisp instead of soft.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan — give the okra space so it browns instead of steaming.
  • Use medium-high heat — helps cook off moisture quickly and improves texture.
  • Add salt mid-way — prevents drawing out too much water early on.

Storage tips

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2–3 days.
  • Reheat in a skillet over medium heat — this keeps the texture better than microwaving.
  • Avoid freezing — okra becomes very soft and loses its texture after thawing.

NUTRITION

Calories: 117kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gSodium: 18mgPotassium: 410mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 967IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 109mgIron: 1mg
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