If you’re tired of making the same old vegetables, add this baked okra to your repertoire of easy vegetable side dishes. This dish is simple yet full of flavor and so delicious. It’s perfect for busy weeknights but impressive and tasty enough to serve to dinner party guests.
What to serve with this baked okra
If you’re looking for a tasty main course to serve with this dish, try this beet pasta sauce. It’s delicious tossed with any type of pasta you like.
Ingredients and substitutions
This roasted okra recipe is so simple. It’s seasoned with salt, pepper, some freshly chopped garlic, and sesame seeds. If you don’t like sesame seeds or you need to avoid them for allergy reasons, you can either omit them or substitute 1/2 teaspoon of your preferred dried herb. Thyme, rosemary, sage, or oregano are all good alternatives.
This dish works well with fresh garlic but you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder if you prefer.
How to make it
Start by rinsing and drying the okra. Next you’ll trim off the stem side of the okra and then cut them in half, width-wise. Okra has a reputation for being a bit slimy. The trick to making okra that isn’t slimy is to cut it in half before roasting. This allows the slime to evaporate during the baking process.
The next step is to line a baking tray with parchment paper and add the rinsed, trimmed, and cut okra to the tray.
Then you’ll drizzle the olive oil on top and sprinkle the salt, pepper, garlic, and sesame seeds. Then use your hands to toss the okra so each piece gets thoroughly coated with the oil and seasonings.
Next you’ll pop the okra into the oven and be sure to pause halfway through baking to give the tray a quick shake so that the okra pieces roll around on the tray a bit. This ensure even cooking so that no sides of the okra end up burnt.
Storage
Store this baked okra in an airtight container in the fridge, then reheat to your desired temperature before serving (or serve at room temperature if you prefer).
More vegan recipes to try
- For another easy vegetable side dish, try these roasted garlicky radishes.
- Or for something a bit more filling, give this quinoa with pesto a try.
- These mushroom meatballs are delicious served with pasta and tomato sauce.
- These gluten-free, vegan applesauce muffins are perfect for a make-ahead breakfast.
Baked Okra
Equipment
- Sheet pan
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh okra (chopped, width-wise)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rinse and dry the okra.
- Trim the stem side off the okra, then cut the okra in half, width-wise.
- Place on a parchment paper lined baking tray.
- Add the olive oil, sesame seeds, garlic, salt, and pepper on top of the okra and toss with your hands to ensure the okra is thoroughly coated.
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, pausing after 15 minutes to shake the tray a bit so that the okra rolls around on the tray.
Notes
- Be sure to shake the baking tray halfway through the baking process to ensure even cooking.
- Cutting the okra in half before roasting prevents it from turning out slimy.
- Store this baked okra in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.