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How to Freeze Okra

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Freezing vegetables doesn’t get any easier than this.ย  Just a few minutes of effort will mean a freezer full of healthy okra ready to use at your convenience.ย  Come learn how to freeze okra the easy way!

how to freeze okra no blanching

Okay fellow gardeners – your okra plants are bursting at the seams, struggling to keep up with the mass production of okra pods and you’re struggling to keep up with eating all of them.ย  So what do you DO with all of that excess abundance?ย  Okra doesn’t keep long in the fridge, your friends and neighbors are holding up their palms (“no more okra, please!”), and your kids are protesting your attempts at creative ways of sneaking it into every meal in an effort to use it up before it goes bad.

The solution?ย  ย FREEZE ‘EM!ย  Okra freezes extremely well but to add to that good news is even better news:ย  It requires no special prep to freeze – no blanching required!

how to freeze okra without blanching

Ready to grab your garden fresh okra and starting freezing?

How to Freeze Okra

Let’s get started!

Wash the okra, thoroughly drain it, and cut off the stems.ย  Slice the okra in to 1/2 inch rounds or your desired thickness.

If you prefer, you can also freeze the okra whole.

slicing veggies

Lay the okra out single file on a parchment-lined baking sheet.ย  Single layer will prevent the okra from sticking together in a big frozen mass.

Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours.

laying veggies out on lined baking sheet

Transfer the okra to a ziplock freezer bag or freezer container.ย  Having been frozen in a single layer they will come off the sheet easily as individual pieces of frozen okra.

Label your freezer bag/container with the date and keep frozen until ready to use.ย  It will keep for 10-12 months.

To use the okra, simply remove what you need from the bag.ย  If you’re adding it to a soup or stew there is no need to thaw it.ย  If you’re planning on frying it, let it thaw and drain completely.

how to freeze okra no blanching

Be sure to also check out tutorials on freezing other vegetables:

how to freeze okra no blanching

How to Freeze Okra

5 from 12 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Freezing Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine African, American

Ingredients
  

  • fresh okra

Instructions
 

  • Wash the okra, thoroughly drain, and cut off the stems.ย  Slice the okra in to 1/2 inch rounds or your desired thickness. If you prefer, you can also freeze the okra whole.
    Lay the okra out single file on a parchment-lined baking sheet.ย  Single layer will prevent the okra from sticking together in a big frozen mass.ย ย ย 
    Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours.
    Transfer the okra to a ziplock freezer bag or freezer container.ย (Having been frozen in a single layer they will come off the sheet easily as individual pieces of frozen okra.)
    Label your freezer bag/container with the date and keep frozen until ready to use.ย  It will keep for 10-12 months.ย ย 
    To use the okra, simply remove what you need from the bag.ย  If you're adding it to a soup or stew there is no need to thaw it.ย  If you're planning on frying it, let it thaw and drain completely.ย 
Keyword How to Freeze Okra, Okra
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet June 29, 2021

kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Hi, Iโ€™m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!

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Recipe Rating




5 from 12 votes (2 ratings without comment)

19 Comments

    1. Hi Heather, it depends on how you’re using them. For example, if you’re just adding them to a soup or stew then you can add them frozen. If you’re wanting to bread them and fry them, you’ll want to thaw and drain them first.

  1. So…can i freeze okra already seasoned? Need tips please. My okra are about 9 ft tall and producing like crazy.

  2. Joyce, I bread mine without frying. Okra is so sticky that the breading sticks well. my husband only likes cornmeal for his okra.

  3. I am 80 years old & learned how to freeze okra to fry many years ago from an elderly aunt. This makes okra keep extremely well & then cook & serve from freezer so quickly & easily. Is delicious. Next best to fresh fried every time. I don’t have measurements. I successfully kept in freezer for years, if I had enough.. Maybe you can too. Most requested frozen or fresh dish I ever served anyone.

    Wash, let okra dry & then de-cap tops & trim bottoms & discard. Slice very thin (or can quickly slice in food processor with largest slicing blade, pressing down with plunger as you slice.

    Add thin sliced okra to large bowl. Add small amount of milk & gently toss to coat.

    In same large bowl, then add some corn meal, small amount of self-rising flour & salt & pepper, as desired. Gently toss to coat okra.

    Scoop up with hands, letting loose meal fall back into bowl. Fine for some slices to stick together. In warm skillet with desired oil, pre-fry only until light brown.

    Spread on plastic lined paper towels to cool & drain. Pre-fry next batch.
    After all cool, freeze in gallon freezer bags.

    To prepare from freezer, can easily remove from freezer bag only amount desired to serve. Add frozen okra to lightly oiled skillet & cook as usual, either in skillet or oven.
    Watch, as cooks quickly. Delicious.

  4. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS INFO. I HAVE A LOT OF OKRA GROWING IN MY GARDEN DIDNT REALLY KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THEM.I HAVE ALL MY NEIGHBORS SOME.

  5. This was so helpful and I was so excited to have found this post. My husband and daughter absolutely love okra, so glad I can start freezing it for recipes later! Thanks!