Simple, practical, and full of everyday flavour, Sauteed Okra Recipe is a gluten-free, vegetarian world side made with simple everyday ingredients in about 35 minutes. The recipe lays out the ingredients and each cooking step clearly, so you can adjust seasoning, texture, and serving size for your own kitchen.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 20 minutes
  • Total time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Side
  • Cuisine: world

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450 to 500 grams) okra ((chopped to ¾ inch))
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons oil
  • 1 to 1½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar ((or ¾ tbsp white vinegar))
  • ½ teaspoon salt ((adjust to taste))
  • 6 to 8 (1 tbsp) garlic (cloves sliced or crushed)
  • ½ to 1½ teaspoon red chili flakes ((or Kashmiri chili powder, adjust to taste))
  • ¼ to ½ cup (100 grams) paneer ((fine grated or extra firm tofu))
  • 1 to 1¼ teaspoon garam masala ((or any seasoning of choice))
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 tablespoon kasuri methi ((or any dried herbs))
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon chaat masala (or lemon juice)
  • 2 tablespoons coriander leaves ((cilantro fine chopped))

Method

Prepare Okra

  1. Wipe dry okra with a clean kitchen cloth or kitchen papers. Chop them to ¾ inch pieces and keep aside.

How to Make Sauteed Okra

  1. Heat oil in a large wide non-reactive pan. Once the oil is hot add garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
  2. Add the okra and begin to saute on a medium high heat for 2 to 3 mins.
  3. Pour vinegar and continue to saute until the okra wilts and all the slime has gone away.
  4. If your pan is too dry, splash a tablespoon water around the pan and mix the okra. But make sure you add liquid only after the okra is not slimy anymore.
  5. Saute on a low heat until tender, to your liking. Taste test at this stage to see if your okra is cooked through.
  6. Sprinkle salt and red chili flakes. Saute for 1 to 2 mins until aromatic.
  7. Optionally, add the garam masala, cumin powder, kasuri methi, chaat masala, coriander leaves and grated paneer.
  8. Mix well and saute for a minute before you turn off. Taste test and add more spices if required and sprinkle some lemon juice.
  9. Serve this sautéed okra alongside rice & dal or curry. You can also just eat it as such.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.