Taco Roasted Okra

This Taco Roasted Okra is a deliciously savory dish. You’ll love the blend of flavorful spices with tender okra pieces that have been browned to perfection.

If you love roasted vegetables, you have to try this tasty Taco Roasted Okra. The okra is roasted in the oven so it’s soft and yummy, but not slimy or mushy. Slightly browned, its naturally mild flavor is on display and enhanced by the flavors of the taco seasoning used in this recipe. I love the scrumptious texture and taste of this vegetable side dish! It's also really easy to make, so perfect when you want a quick snack or easy side dish for dinner.

If you haven’t used okra before, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its flavor and how well it mixes with other ingredients. This Taco Roasted Okra is a great example, and it’s easy to work this vegetable into lots of meals. Roasting is a great preparation for okra because it gives it a very appetizing texture. You can serve this recipe on its own, or along with your favorite grains and proteins. Either way, you’re going to love it. Let’s talk about what you’ll need to make it.

Video Tutorial: Taco Roasted Okra

Main Ingredients

• Okra. Look for good-quality, fresh okra that have pods that are smaller than 5 inches for the best taste.
• Olive oil. Melted regular or plant-based butter could be used instead, if you prefer.
• Taco Seasoning. Store-bought spice mixes or homemade both work here. Or you can use Berbere, Old Bay, or paprika instead.
• Salt. I used Pink Salt here, but kosher or iodized table salt work as well.

How to make this Roasted Okra

1. Rinse the okra pods and then dry them with a paper towel. Trim away the stem ends, and then cut each pod into ½ to ¾-inch pieces. Place the okra into a medium-sized mixing bowl.

2. Add the taco seasoning, salt, and olive oil to the bowl. Mix well until everything is evenly distributed.

3. Transfer the okra to a large baking sheet that is lined with parchment paper. Use a spatula to evenly spread the pieces across the baking sheet.

4. Bake at 450°F for about 15 minutes, or until the okra is nicely roasted. Serve warm.

Tips for Making the Best Roasted Okra

• Get good quality okra. Make sure that you purchase smooth, tender, blemish-free, bright green pods. Avoid pods with brown spots, dry ends, or overly large pods because they don't taste as good. This is the most important ingredient so you want it to be as fresh as possible.
• Cook the okra within 2-3 days of purchase. Okra is very perishable, so be sure to use it within 3 days of when it's brought home. After 3 days, it begins to soften and become slimy. Keep it in the refrigerator to avoid spoilage.

What to Serve this with

• On its own. This tasty side dish can be served as is.
• Atop grains. This Roasted Okra is great on a bed of rice, couscous, bulgur, or quinoa.
• With your favorite protein. Serve it with tofu or black beans. If you eat meat, it also pairs well with beef or lamb.
• With vegetables. Okra is great with veggies like sliced tomatoes, roasted eggplant, and sweet peppers.

How to Store and Reheat this Dish

To store this Taco Roasted Okra, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 3-5 days. After that, the flavor and texture will deteriorate. To reheat it, you can microwave it for a few minutes in a microwave-safe bowl. Or if you prefer, you can place it back on the baking sheet, spread out evenly, and warm it in the oven.

I hope you and your family enjoy this tasty and easy to make recipe for Taco Roasted Okra again and again. It’s a simple side that offers lots of flavor and great texture. While okra isn't common in every kitchen, it definitely has something wonderful to offer with the right recipe. Taco Roasted Okra is one of my favorites, and I hope it becomes one of yours, too!

You'll also enjoy these okra recipes:

• Baked Okra
• Easy Rice and Okra
• Garlic Roasted Okra

Or try this Taco Soup!