This Stewed Okra and Tomatoes (Fresh or Frozen) is the best Southern recipe for stewed vegetables with bacon seasoned with Creole Seasoning. This dish is quick to make using canned tomatoes.
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.
If you are familiar with Southern recipes, you are probably well acquainted with okra. If you aren't, then maybe you have enjoyed in my Instant Pot Gumbo?
I'm usually so disappointed when I hear people say they will only eat their okra fried. There are so many amazing ways to enjoy it, including stewed and within soups and stews. You may also enjoy our Smothered Okra and Roasted Okra recipes.
How to Cook Okra and Tomatoes
- Heat a frying pan on medium-high heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook for a few minutes until the bacon is crisp.
- Remove the bacon from the pan drain excess. I usually reserve a teaspoon of grease in the pan.
- Add onions to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Add the okra, tomatoes, Creole Seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the pan.
- Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes.
- Top with the cooked bacon.
Fresh or Frozen Okra
You can use either in this recipe with no change to the cook time.
I live in the Midwest. It is really hard to find fresh okra here. I usually use frozen okra when I make this dish.
How to Cook Okra Without the Slime
I will start by saying I like the slime from okra! I've never minded it one bit. Okra has a substance inside it called mucilage which acts as a natural thickener. This is why okra works wonderfully in gumbo and other stews.
To remove the slime you can soak the cut okra in vinegar for 30 minutes prior to cooking it. You can also read this post on How to Cook Okra So It's Not Slimy.
How Many Carbs?
Each serving of this recipe has 7 net carbs.
What Goes Well With This Dish?
Southern Baked Ham With Pineapple
Smothered Chicken
Classic Butter Beans Recipe
Southern Coleslaw Recipe
Easy Spaghetti Salad
Southern Green Beans
Homemade Creamed Corn
More Southern Recipes
Southern Soul Food Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Instant Pot Cabbage
Fried Cabbage
Instant Pot Southern Green Beans
Southern Homemade Cornbread
Southern Mustard Greens
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern Potato Salad
Southern Macaroni Salad
Check out our list of The Best Authentic Soul Food Recipes here.
Stewed Okra and Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 3 slices bacon, chopped into pieces
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 3 cups frozen or fresh chopped okra
- 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon Creole Seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a skillet on medium-high heat. Cook the bacon until crisp and remove the bacon and set aside.
- You can drain the fat from the bacon if you wish or leave it. I reserve at least a teaspoon of fat. Add the onions to the pan and saute for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
- Add in the okra, diced tomatoes, and all of the seasonings. Stir.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the okra is soft.
- Open the pot and add the cooked bacon. Stir.
Chrys says
This was really good. I had fresh okra!
staysnatched says
That's awesome that you used fresh okra!
Angele D. says
My mother in law makes a similar dish in the summer but with fried okra. This was a healthier version I can serve while still getting the satisfaction I want from a delicious summer salad.
staysnatched says
Yes, this is perfect for summer!
Martha Adams says
Made this tonight. It is a very good recipe and very easy to put together. This will be my go to recipe. I also made it a few weeks ago and added andouille sausage and shrimp and served over rice for a main dish
staysnatched says
One of my favorites! So glad you enjoyed it.
T T says
This was DELICIOUS! Made it tonight and didn’t want to share it with anyone!
staysnatched says
haha! No sharing allowed!
Meritha says
Great recipe! I made it tonight. Since I don't like slime 🙂 I used okra that I'd previously roasted in the oven. Also added a pinch or two of sugar to the mix. Husband luv'd it!
staysnatched says
Glad you enjoyed it.
Melinda says
Made tonight, it’s rare to find fresh okra in Canada but I love the stewed okra I used to have in Texas. This was simple yet perfect. I’m going to stir it into my jambalaya later this week, but would you think it could be frozen? Or would the okra be mush when thawed? Thanks!
staysnatched says
In general, okra is soft. If you freeze it quickly upon cooking it, it should be fine.
Sue says
I made this easy recipe tonight for my boyfriend, to make points. He loved it. I appreciated the step-by-step instructions. Thanks.
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
Linda says
Made with frozen okra served fried walleye fish. 😋 yum
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Valetie says
It's says stewed tomatoes then it says diced tomatoes which is it?
staysnatched says
Either works. Whichever you prefer.