Steaming Okra: A Quick, Tasty, Healthy Treat

Okra is a versatile vegetable that can be steamed, boiled, or stir-fried. While some people enjoy the unique texture of okra, others find its sliminess off-putting. Steaming is a great way to prepare okra while minimising its sliminess, and it can be easily paired with other ingredients to create a tasty dish. This introduction will cover the basics of how to steam okra, including preparation, cooking time, and serving suggestions, so you can create a delicious and healthy meal.

How to prepare okra for steaming

Okra is a healthy and tasty vegetable that can be steamed, boiled, fried, grilled, or pickled. Here is a guide on how to prepare okra for steaming:

• Wash the okra: Rinse the okra thoroughly in cold water. You can use fresh or frozen okra, but make sure to select smooth, unblemished pods without brown spots or shrivelled ends, as these may affect the texture.
• Prepare the steamer: Bring water to a boil in a steamer or a large pan with a steamer rack. Ensure the water level does not exceed the steamer rack.
• Prepare the okra: Wash and dry the okra with a paper towel. Cut off the tough stem at the thicker end of the pod. You can leave the okra whole or split it in half lengthwise, depending on your preference.
• Steam the okra: Place the okra in the steamer basket, ensuring the inner sides are facing up. Cover and steam for 4-6 minutes for a tender but crisp texture. Do not steam for longer than 10 minutes, as this can affect the taste and texture.
• Season and serve: Okra can be seasoned with salt, pepper, vinegar, or garlic. For a simple seasoning, toss the steamed okra with butter, salt, and pepper, or sprinkle with vinegar. For a more complex flavour, try steaming with garlic and chilli peppers.

By following these steps, you can prepare okra for steaming, resulting in a healthy and delicious dish that can be served as a side or main course.

How long to steam okra

Steaming okra is a quick and easy way to cook this nutritious vegetable. The amount of time you steam okra depends on whether you are using fresh or frozen okra, and whether you like your okra tender or al dente.

Fresh Okra

For whole fresh okra pods, steaming for 5 to 6 minutes should be enough to cook the vegetable until it is tender but still crisp. If you are using a double boiler, you may need to steam for slightly longer—around 10 minutes.

Frozen Okra

Frozen okra pieces will take less time to steam than whole fresh pods. Steam these for 3 to 4 minutes, or until tender.

Tips

To prepare fresh okra for steaming, wash the pods and dry them thoroughly with a paper towel. Cut off the tough stem at the thicker end of the pod, and split the okra in half lengthwise. Place the pods in a steamer basket or double boiler over 1 to 2 inches of boiling water, and cover with a lid.

You can also add flavour to steamed okra by tossing with butter and salt, or by serving with a dipping sauce.

How to serve steamed okra

Preparation

Rinse the okra thoroughly in cold water and dry with a paper towel. Cut off the tough stem and split each pod in half lengthwise. Place the pods in a steamer basket or double boiler, ensuring the water level is below the basket.

Cooking

Boil the water and place the steamer basket/double boiler on top. Cover and steam the okra for 4-6 minutes for a tender but crisp texture. If you prefer a softer texture, steam for up to 10 minutes.

Serving

For a simple side dish, toss the steamed okra with butter, salt, and black pepper to taste. For a more flavourful option, prepare a sauce by heating vegetable oil and pouring it over a mixture of minced garlic, chili peppers, light soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar. Scoop the sauce over each okra pod and serve warm.

Alternatively, serve the steamed okra with shrimp paste as a simple Filipino appetizer or main dish. After steaming, quickly blanch the okra in ice water to retain its crisp texture and vibrant colour. Arrange on a plate and serve with the shrimp paste for dipping.

How to prevent okra from becoming slimy

Okra is a vegetable that can be prepared in many ways, but it is notorious for its slimy texture, which some people find off-putting. However, there are several ways to prevent okra from becoming slimy when steaming or cooking it using other methods. Here are some tips to ensure your okra turns out perfectly every time:

Pick the Right Okra

When buying okra, it's best to handpick them instead of buying pre-packaged ones. Look for tender, slim, blemish-free pods that are soft and smooth to touch. Avoid any with holes, as this may indicate the presence of worms.

Wash and Dry Thoroughly

It is essential to wash okra under running water to remove any dirt or chemicals. However, the most critical step to ensure non-slimy okra is to dry it well before cutting. Use a cloth towel to pat the uncut okra dry. Also, ensure your hands, knife, and chopping board are dry before cutting the okra.

Soaking in Vinegar (Optional)

Some people suggest that soaking okra in a vinegar and water solution (1 cup of vinegar per litre of water) for about an hour can help reduce the slime. While this step is optional, remember to dry the okra well before cutting it.

Add a Souring Agent

Adding a souring agent is an effective way to ensure your okra isn't slimy at the end of the cooking process. Within 5-10 minutes of adding okra to the pan, add an acid such as lemon juice, vinegar, amchoor (raw mango powder), or tamarind. This will cut the sliminess and help the okra remain tender and crisp.

Avoid Covering the Pan

When cooking okra, avoid covering the pan, as this traps steam and increases moisture. As moisture contributes to sliminess, keeping the okra uncovered will help reduce the slime.

Add Salt at the End

Similar to moisture, salt can draw out water from okra, increasing the likelihood of sliminess. Therefore, it is best to add salt towards the end of the cooking process to minimise moisture release.

Quick Cooking at High Heat

The longer okra cooks, the slimier it becomes, as the sugars that create the slime are released. Therefore, quick cooking methods at high heat, such as stir-frying, deep frying, air-frying, grilling, or sautéing, are ideal for preventing the mucilage from overdeveloping.

Season with Acid

After cooking, season your okra with an additional acidic element, such as a squeeze of lemon or a drizzle of vinegar. This will enhance the flavour and ensure the okra retains a pleasant texture.

How to steam frozen okra

Okra is a versatile vegetable that can be steamed, boiled, fried, grilled, or pickled. It is believed to have originated in Africa or Southeast Asia and is now a staple in the American South. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam frozen okra:

Step 1: Prepare the Okra

Place the frozen okra in a colander and rinse it with cool tap water. Cut off the tough stems and either leave the okra whole or cut each pod crosswise into halves or 1-inch pieces.

Step 2: Prepare the Steamer

In a steamer pot or a large pan with a steamer rack, boil water, ensuring the water level does not exceed the steamer rack.

Step 3: Steam the Okra

Place the okra in the steamer basket or on the plate on the steamer rack. Cover and steam for 3-6 minutes for frozen okra pieces, or 6-10 minutes for whole frozen okra, until tender. Do not steam for longer than 10 minutes.

Step 4: Season and Serve

Remove the okra from the steamer and place it in a serving dish. Season with butter, salt, and pepper to taste, or for a more flavourful option, prepare a garlic sauce. For the garlic sauce, mince some garlic cloves and cut some Thai chilli peppers into small pieces. Heat vegetable oil in a separate pan under medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, turn off the heat and pour it over the garlic and chilli pepper mix. Then, add light soy sauce and balsamic vinegar to taste. Scoop the sauce over each okra pod and serve warm or lukewarm.

Frequently asked questions