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If you’re wondering what to serve with your fried okra, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for fried okra.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best dishes to serve with fried okra are fried catfish, chicken fried steak, heirloom tomato galette, and New Orleans BBQ shrimp. You can also go with butter burgers, crockpot pinto beans, or Texas-style ribs. For a fun twist, serve fried okra as croutons in a classic Caesar salad.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Caesar salad

Put a fun, Southern twist on your Caesar salad by ditching the croutons and using fried okra instead.

The cornmeal-coated morsels will give you that familiar crunchy bite, but with the added bonus of some extra vitamins and nutrients.

Win-win!

Why we love this recipe: it’s way better than pre-packaged salads.

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Caesar salad
Make it Italian-style
Panzanella salad
Keep it simple
Lemon parmesan kale salad

Lemon pepper fried catfish

Just like when you’re making fried chicken, this recipe recommends soaking the catfish filets in buttermilk first.

The buttermilk keeps the catfish moist and helps the cornmeal breading stick better, meaning no spots are left uncovered.

Serve your catfish with a side of freshly fried okra and tartar sauce for the ultimate fish fry meal.

Why we love this recipe: you can’t go wrong with the classics.

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Lemon pepper fried catfish
Preheat the oven
Oven-baked catfish
Make it different
Beer-battered fish

Butter burgers

Steer clear of these if you’re on a diet.

True to its name, everything – from the bun, the patties, and the onions – are cooked in copious amounts of butter.

But everyone needs to indulge sometimes!

Why we love this recipe: it’s an excellent dish for cheat day.

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Butter burger
Make a classic
Smash cheeseburger
Make it vegan
Portobello mushroom burger

Broccoli mac and cheese

This stovetop mac and cheese is like broccoli cheese soup but in pasta form.

The creamy, cheese sauce is studded with grated broccoli for a little nourishing boost. And grating the broccoli means you get some in every bite.

Add some crunch to this creamy mac with a side of fried okra.

Why we love this recipe: it’s simple comfort food.

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Broccoli mac and cheese
Make it dairy-free
Vegan butternut squash mac and cheese
Add savory bite
Bacon mac and cheese

Southern smothered pork chops

If you’re in the mood for something rich and indulgent, you can’t go wrong with these smothered pork chops.

The lightly crisp pork chops are great, but the highlight of this dish is the luscious brown gravy made with caramelized onions and a splash of cream. YUM!

Why we love this recipe: everything comes together in one pan.

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Southern smothered pork chops
Preheat the oven
Oven-roasted pulled pork
Fire up the grill
Grilled pork chops

Baked BBQ boneless chicken thighs

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/170644273372027462/

Fried okra is an excellent side dish for barbecued meats.

But if you aren’t in the mood for setting up the grill, try these baked BBQ chicken thighs instead – they’re super tasty and really easy to make.

Pro tip: marinate the chicken thighs for at least an hour before baking for maximum flavor.

Why we love this recipe: it’s great for feeding a crowd.

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Baked BBQ boneless chicken thighs
Make it crispy
Buttermilk chicken tenders
Make it plant-based
BBQ seitan chicken

Apple cider vinegar coleslaw

If you’re looking for another side dish to pair with your fried okra, go with this vinegar-based coleslaw.

The combination of apple cider vinegar and agave gives you a tangy-sweet bite that will cut through any greasiness from your fried okra.

Psst… this side would be scrumptious with the BBQ shrimp or chicken thighs.

Why we love this recipe: it will bring a brilliant splash of color to your meal.

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Apple cider vinegar coleslaw
Make it creamy
Greek yogurt coleslaw
Make it refreshing
Cucumber jicama slaw

Jambalaya

The ingredient list for jambalaya is long, but don’t let that scare you.

Making this iconic rice dish is easier than you think.

It’s super loaded, so you can enjoy it alone. But I like serving some fried okra on the side to contrast all the tender textures, plus a cold glass of white wine!

Why we love this recipe: the leftovers will still taste amazing the next day.

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Jambalaya with chicken, sausages, and shrimp
Skip the meat
Vegan jambalaya
Make it different
Jambalaya soup

Chicken fried steak

Have you ever seen those packets of cube steak in the grocery and wondered what people use them for?

Chicken fried steak is the top answer.

But don’t be fooled – there’s no chicken in this recipe! It’s called that because you prep it similarly to fried chicken.

Psst… don’t skip making the gravy. It will double as a dipping sauce for your fried okra too.

Why we love this recipe: it’s budget-friendly.

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Chicken fried steak
Make it Korean-style
Cube steak bulgogi
Ditch the deep-frying
Cubed steak with onion gravy

Heirloom tomato galette

A galette is a mix between a pie and a pizza.

You’ve got a flaky pastry case, lined with a creamy base and then topped with tomatoes and cheese.

I love using heirloom tomatoes for their gorgeous colors, but any firm tomatoes will do. And if you don’t like creme fraiche, try swapping it for goats cheese or whipped feta.

Why we love this recipe: it’s Insta-worthy.

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Heirloom tomato galette
Keep it simple
Fried green tomatoes
Make it saucy
Southern stewed tomatoes

Crockpot pinto beans

Making pinto beans in the crock pot requires some planning, but this nifty kitchen gadget eliminates the need to babysit a boiling pot of beans over the stovetop.

You’ll need to do a little prep work, but then you can toss all the ingredients into the crock pot, set the timer, and let the beans cook.

Psst… no crock pot? Here’s a stovetop recipe.

Why we love this recipe: it’s great for those days when you’re too busy to stay in the kitchen and cook.

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Crockpot pinto beans
Make it Mexican-style
Mexican pinto beans
Make it meaty
Chili

New Orleans BBQ shrimp

Transport yourself to New Orleans with this classic BBQ shrimp.

Contrary to its name, you won’t need skewers or a grill for this dish – instead the shrimp is cooked in a finger-licking good spicy butter sauce.

You’d normally have a slice of crusty bread for mopping up the delicious sauce, but whole-fried okras work great too.

Why we love this recipe: it’s made with simple ingredients but packs a flavorful punch.

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New Orleans BBQ shrimp
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Shrimp creole
Make it a seafood feast
Cajun seafood stew

Oven-baked jerk BBQ beef ribs

Can you tell I love BBQ-style meats?

Instead of the typical method of using BBQ sauce, these ribs are seasoned with a dry jerk seasoning rub.

The seasoning caramelizes as you roast these ribs, making them oh-so-delicious with charred, crispy spots.

Why we love this recipe: it’s guaranteed to be a hit.

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Oven-baked jerk BBQ beef
Fire up the grill
Grilled pork back ribs
Make it meat-free
Vegan BBQ seitan ribs

The best side dishes to serve with fried okra

Caesar salad
Lemon pepper fried catfish
Butter burgers
Broccoli mac and cheese
Southern smothered pork chops
Baked BBQ boneless chicken thighs
Apple cider vinegar coleslaw
Jambalaya
Chicken fried steak
Heirloom tomato galette
Crockpot pinto beans
New Orleans BBQ shrimp
Oven-baked jerk BBQ beef ribs