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    All » Smothered Okra With Shrimp

    Smothered Okra With Shrimp

    Posted On March 2, 2023 By Mirlene Last updated May 5, 2023 33 Comments

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    smothered okra with tomatoes and shrimp Pinterest Pin

    Classic summertime smothered okra with shrimp recipe that can also be enjoyed year-round. A thick and deliciously bold southern-style dish that’s filled with that’s your ticket to an unforgettable meal. 

    Smothered okra with shrimp and tomatoes in bowl

    Seasoned with Cajun-inspired flavors, this southern-style smothered okra recipe can be enjoyed over a bed of Haitian white rice, cornmeal (Mais Moulin), or on the side with your favorite rice. 

    This versatile ingredient (okra) is not just for jambalaya or gumbo. 

    What Is Okra?

    Known as okro in parts of Africa and ladies’ fingers in many English-speaking countries, Okra is a seeded vegetable that’s used to also thicken sauces. Although it is a fruit, it is treated as a vegetable. 

    It is from the mallow family, and it is used in any West African cuisines, Southeast Asian cuisine, and Caribbean cuisines. Its true place of origin is not specified; however, all can agree that this green lengthy color vegetable /fruit in color serves many purposes.

    Okra contains 90 percent water and 2 percent protein. It also has very few carbs; about 7 percent to be exact. However, it is also filled with vitamin C and K. Okra also has mucilage, which serves as a natural thickener to many soups and stews.

    Okra contains lectin, which is helpful in preventing and treating cancer.  Moreover, okra lowers the risk of neural tube defects among pregnant women by supplying them with folate.

    Delicious smothered okra with tomatoes

    Almost all parts of the okra plant are used medicinally. Medicinal uses for okra include seeds, peels, and water. Powdered seeds, peels, and water are among the most well-known.  

    As well as aiding weight loss, okra suppresses your appetite and makes you feel fuller faster.

    Furthermore, since okra has a natural calming effect, it can also enhance sleep quality, enabling you to fall asleep faster and sleep longer. Adding okra to your diet is a great way to stay healthy and fit.

    Ingredients Used In This Smothered Okra

    The full recipe with the exact measurements is listed in the recipe card below. For now, here’s a quick guide to the key ingredients that are added to this dish. 

    Fresh Okra – For this recipe, you can use fresh or frozen okra. However, frozen okra contains more water which can dilute the sauce. If using frozen okra, allow the okra to thaw out completely and squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible before starting to prepare the dish. 

    Fresh Shrimp (Raw) – Using raw shrimp allows you to have complete control of your desired texture. Best to use large or jumbo shrimp when making this dish. Be sure to peel and devein your shrimp. 

    Roma tomatoes, herbs, garlic, and celery – These ingredients will add a subtle “earthy” flavor to the dish, which works well with the Cajun seasoning. 

    delicious smothered okra and shrimp

    Cajun seasoning and other spices – Are used to flavor the dish. 

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    How do you smother okra down?

    When smothering okra, be sure to use a heavy saucepan or a large cast iron skillet. Cook the okra and the other ingredients over medium-low heat for no less than 45 minutes until you have reached your desired consistency. 

    How do you smother okra on the stove?

    Cook the okra in a large cast iron or nonstick skillet, and add the remaining ingredients. Stir occasionally and cook until the vegetables are soft and have reduced in size. 

    How do you smother okra without it being slimy?

    To keep your okra from being slimy, do not cut the okra into pieces. Allow the okra to cook whole so that the mucus does not extract itself out of the vegetable/fruit while cooking. 
    You can also soak the okra in vinegar for about 30 minutes and rinse it out before cooking. 
    Third, you can also cook the okra for no more than 30 minutes to reduce the risk of the mucus sipping out. 

    Do you cut the top off okra before cooking?

    Yes, it is best that you cut off the top of the okra prior to cooking it as it will make the overall experience more enjoyable. 

    How do you cook okra to get rid of slime?

    Cooking the okra for 30 minutes or less will help cut the sliminess of the okra. 
    Adding vinegar while the okra is cooking will also help reduce the sliminess of the okra as well. 

    Smothered Okra With Tomatoes Recipe Variations

    smothered okra in blue bowl with shrimp and tomatoes on wooden board

    This recipe is amazing with shiitake mushroom caps due to their hearty and chewy texture. 

    In addition to onions, you can also add scallions for an extra onion kick. 

    Consider adding Bok Choy for added vegetables. 

    Instead of broth, you can use water or vice-versa. If using broth, be sure to use Low sodium broth. 

    How To Store Your Smothered Okra with Shrimp

    Any leftover smothered okra can be stored in an airtight container. You can store leftover the leftover dish in the refrigerator for over three days.

    Serving Suggestions

    This recipe is perfect with red beans and rice, homemade gluten-free biscuits, gluten-free drop biscuits, dill rice, and Ghanaian Jollof Rice.  

    More Okra Recipes to Try

    After trying this smothered okra with shrimp recipe, we recommend you try these recipes next. 

    Chicken Kale Stew With Okra

    Okra Stew

    Crispy Air Fryer Fried okra

    Okra Rice

    Pro Tips

    • Keep cooking the okra whole to reduce the sliminess. Do not smash the okra so that it does not release mucus while cooking. 
    • Cook the dish on medium-to-medium low heat for even cooking. 
    • Caramelize the shrimp first, then add it towards the last 5 minutes of the cooking time to avoid over-cooking the shrimp. 
    • To enhance the flavor of your dish, consider adding cayenne pepper or pepper flakes to the smothered okra.
    • Be sure to taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
    • If you would like to make this dish vegetarian or vegan, simply omit the shrimp. 
    • When making this dish, it’s best to use fresh ingredients as much as possible to enhance the flavor of the dish. 

    It warms our hearts to see the recipes you make from this site, and we’d especially love to know if you tried this recipe.

    Tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.

    Also, we would appreciate it if could give it a star rating below!

    Okra that's smothered in thick sauce with shrimp and tomatoes

    Smothered Okra With Shrimp

    Savory Thoughts
    Learn how to make the best smothered okra with tomatoes and shrimp on the stove without being slimy.
    4.92 from 24 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 Servings
    Calories 312 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large Saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Lb. Fresh-Cut Okra; slice into desired pieces
    • 5 Vine Tomatoes or Roma Tomatoes; 2 Extra Large tomatoes will also work
    • 2 Lbs. Colossal Raw Shrimp; peeled and deveined
    • 1 Tbsp. Garlic Paste; or 4 Garlic cloves, minced
    • ½ Cup Roughly Chopped Onions
    • 1 tsp. Kosher Salt
    • ½ tsp. Course Black Pepper
    • 2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 2 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
    • 2 Tbsp. Cajun Seasoning
    • 2 Cups Water; or broth
    • 1 tsp. Ground Ginger
    • 1 tsp. Cumin
    • 1 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes; optional
    • 1 tsp. Dried Basil
    • 1 tsp. Dried Parsley
    • 3 Bay Leaves

    Instructions
     

    • Start by preparing your ingredients: slice the okra into bite-size pieces, then wash, drain, and set it aside. Cut the tomatoes. Peel, devein, and wash the shrimp. Prepare the garlic paste or mince garlic cloves. Roughly chop the onions.
      Prepare and lightly cook the shrimp: Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Then, in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.
      Add the shrimp when the oil is heated through. Cook the shrimp for about 6 minutes total or until just lightly pink in color. Next, remove the shrimp from the heat and set it aside.
      smothered okra, shrimp, and tomatoes in blue bowl
    • Prepare the smothered okra: In the same saucepan, add the okra and onions. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Stirring occasionally. 
      Next, add the tomatoes and mix well. Then add the tomato paste, Cajun Seasoning, garlic, ground ginger, cumin, red pepper flakes, basil, parsley, and water. Stir to combine. Then add the bay leaves. 
      Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep the ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan. 
      Add the shrimp and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes. Serve warm with rice. 
      delicious smothered okra and shrimp

    Notes

    Leaving the saucepan uncovered will help the liquid to evaporate. If you want a “dryer” textured dish, we recommend that you do not cover the saucepan. However, cook the dish on medium-low heat and stir constantly to avoid burning.
     
    The longer the okra cooks, the less slimy it will be. 
     
    ***Calories are estimated per serving
     
     
    *** This post contains affiliate links, which means we will receive compensation if clicked on them or make a purchase.  Please read our full disclosure here!
     
     
    When printing the recipe, please unselect the camera icon so that the pictures are NOT printed with the recipe (if preferred).

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8ServingsCalories: 312kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 28gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 221mgSodium: 1344mgPotassium: 3029mgFiber: 9gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 23mg
    Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle

      October 21, 2023 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      Deep frying the okra also eliminates the slime and cuts down 30 minutes on cooking time.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        October 23, 2023 at 2:08 pm

        Thank you, Michelle

        Reply
    2. Tanika

      September 16, 2023 at 3:16 am

      At what point does the broth go in…step 2?

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        September 20, 2023 at 4:32 pm

        Yes, please add the broth in step 2.

        Reply
      • Stephanie

        October 09, 2023 at 10:46 pm

        5 stars
        Made this a few nights ago for family. Everyone had seconds! Making again tonight because I had more okra and husband missed out the first time.
        Excellent!

        Reply
        • Mirlene

          October 23, 2023 at 2:09 pm

          Thank you very much, Stephanie!

          Reply
    3. Brandi

      September 11, 2023 at 12:47 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is amazing. It is full of flavor and just perfect. I’m not the greatest cook but this was so easy and came out wonderful. Highly recommend you try it. I used frozen okra and it wasn’t slimy at all.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        September 13, 2023 at 7:08 pm

        Brandi, thank you very much. I am so glad it worked out and you enjoyed the recipe.

        Reply
        • Fai Sha

          October 03, 2023 at 12:45 am

          4 stars
          The time does not add up to one hour of cooking.

          Reply
    4. Desiree Marie

      August 10, 2023 at 12:50 am

      5 stars
      Okay so if you love spicy this recipe as is IS IT!! 🌶️🥵 My husband does NOT like spicy so I will have to adjust the next time (I didn’t realize how spicy it was until after…wooops 😬) Very flavorful and I used all broth for mine. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        August 16, 2023 at 7:06 pm

        Oh no! I’mg glad you like the recipe, but sorry it was too spicy for your husband. Please do alter it for next time. Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Regina

      June 30, 2023 at 9:08 pm

      4 stars
      THANK YOU for this recipe! It was tasty and pretty filling. I did, however, make a few adjustments to this recipe. I omitted the tomatoes (my son does not like cooked tomatoes), added red & green peppers, and made a rue. I’m going to adjust the heat and I will add the shrimp to the stew the last 5-10 mins of cooking. Cooking them prior and then adding them to the stew caused them to shrink and I spent GOOD $ for those colossal shrimp. I’ll update when I cook it again.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        July 17, 2023 at 6:07 pm

        Thank you, Regina. I am so glad that the recipe was able to work out for you. Thank you!

        Reply
        • Pam

          August 28, 2023 at 10:59 pm

          5 stars
          Since we have lots of fresh okra, I made this for dinner tonight. Delicious! Thank you for sharing!

          Reply
          • Mirlene

            August 30, 2023 at 11:46 am

            Very glad to hear that, Pam. Thank you.

            Reply
    6. Jackie

      June 28, 2023 at 12:10 am

      Just out of curiosity: So once the okra is cooked whole, you don’t cut it? The picture of the finished dish shows the okra cut and I’d like to have it down to smaller bite sized pieces.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        June 29, 2023 at 3:50 pm

        Hi Jackie,
        I like to cut my okra into large chunks prior to cooking. You can also purchase the already cut okra to save time, if you are able to find them at the local grocery store.

        Reply
    7. Catherine Brown

      June 26, 2023 at 11:59 am

      5 stars
      Made this and it was amazing! Thank you for the tips on the okra…will definately make again!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        June 29, 2023 at 3:50 pm

        Thank you, Catherine.

        Reply
    8. MonaT

      June 25, 2023 at 9:04 pm

      5 stars
      I just made this and oh my goodness GOOD! Mine had a lot of kick! Spicy hot! This is soooooo good! May have to find a way to tone down the KICK for my family but I LOVE it!

      Reply
    9. Jan mcg

      June 03, 2023 at 3:22 pm

      Lovely recipe. Tried with chicken thighs cut up for variance both were good.

      Old southern grandmother tip; use 1 to 1:1/2 teaspoons lemon juice to avoid slimy okra. Works in okra and tomatoes also.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        September 04, 2023 at 4:31 pm

        Thank you, Jan!

        Reply
    10. Angeliqua

      April 30, 2023 at 11:52 pm

      What type of broth would you suggest? Also, do you make yours with water of broth?

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        May 01, 2023 at 10:17 pm

        I prefer to use water. But if I were to use broth, I would use low-sodium vegetable broth.

        Reply
    11. Lenora Handy

      April 20, 2023 at 3:13 am

      5 stars
      Tried it and it is good!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        May 05, 2023 at 12:54 am

        Thank you, Lenora!

        Reply
    12. Sikena Campbell

      April 19, 2023 at 9:28 pm

      This was really good and full of flavor! I read the recipe several times, but I didn’t see where you added the garlic. I just added it in step two with all the other ingredients. It was tasty!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        May 05, 2023 at 12:54 am

        Wonderful! Thank you very much.

        Reply
      • Irene

        July 10, 2023 at 3:41 am

        We have okra and tomatoes in the garden now, perfect time to make this! It’s going to be Yummy!!

        Reply
        • Mirlene

          September 04, 2023 at 4:30 pm

          Thank you, Irene.

          Reply
    13. Sara

      April 11, 2023 at 2:03 am

      5 stars
      So good

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        April 18, 2023 at 12:23 am

        Thank you, Sara

        Reply
        • Eliska

          July 22, 2023 at 12:05 am

          It was super good, but a little too hot. So next time I will use 1/2 the pepper flakes. And 2 pounds of okra instead of 1. we love okra. Loved it.

          Reply

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