Description
There’s something downright magical about a warm Southern kitchen where food isn’t just sustenance—it’s a celebration. Smothered okra with shrimp is a dish that transports you to cozy family dinners filled with laughter and comfort. This classic Southern recipe slow-cooks fresh okra and succulent shrimp in a luscious, flavorful sauce until tender and bursting with goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound fresh okra, sliced
- 1 pound large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for roux)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for roux)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Whisk in flour to create a golden brown roux, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Add chopped onion, garlic, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Stir in sliced okra and chopped tomatoes. Let simmer slowly, allowing okra to release its natural thickening agents.
- Add tomato paste, bay leaves, Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, basil, cumin, ginger, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Cover and let simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add shrimp during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking, stirring gently until they turn pink and tender.
- Remove bay leaves. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot over fluffy white rice or dirty rice to soak up all that flavorful sauce.
Notes
Choose fresh, firm okra pods and large, peeled shrimp for the best texture. To reduce okra slime, cook uncovered near the end and include acidic ingredients like tomatoes. Stir often to prevent burning and thicken the sauce perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 190mg
Keywords: smothered okra, shrimp, southern recipe, seafood, comfort food