Grilled Chili Lime Okra are crispy, smokey and with just a touch of lime and chilis are the worlds simplest recipe for green veggies on a stick.
I was looking for a green vegetable to grill with my Japanese Yakitori. Yakitori in Japanese literally means to grill chicken but the term can also mean to grill anything on sticks in general. In the market, I grabbed some mushrooms, Japanese long onions (negi) and some peppers. My husband who was doing a little shopping with me chose a bottle of chilled sake and a couple of packages of okra from the market. I shrugged my shoulders at first to okra? However, I said what the heck lets give it a try.
I don’t know about you but the only experience I have had with okra is the slimy ones in a pot of jambalaya or in a stew. I quite like the taste of okra but I do not like whole texture issue as it interferes with my dining experience.
Why Grilled Chili Lime Okra is crispier than okra in a stew
Okay, are you ready? Okra is a mucilaginous vegetable. That means it contains this thick gooey substance. Totally appetizing, right? Wrong! This is exactly why most people do not like to eat okra. However, there is a way to prevent this vegetable from creating this slimy texture by the way you prepare your okra.
I was so pleasantly surprised to find out that the grilling the okra is the perfect solution to keeping the okra crisp and firm and delicious. No slime! (bonus) In addition, if you add an acid to the recipe this also minimizes the slime. We added lime juice. This recipe is super easy and just perfect the perfect way to celebrate the grilling season. If you do not have a BBQ grill then a grill pan also works perfectly.
Today in Hong Kong, might be one of those days that you use a grill pan or stir fry your okra instead of grilling. Super Typhoon Rammasun is passing by and sharing a little bit of wind and rain in Hong Kong. Praying for all of those that have lost their lives and their families in the Philippines and praying that it slows down before it makes landfall on to the Hainan Island and China.
Grilling things on sticks is something that almost every country enjoys. We have a gas grill outside on our very little balcony where I really enjoy taking in our million dollar views.
Every day it is really a new stunning scenery. Dinner time usually means I am cooking out just as the sun is setting. With the camera in one hand and a pair of tongs in the other I am a very happy girl.
There is something very interesting that happens to vegetables as they taste even sweeter and they take on a little smokey flavour from the BBQ.
More Delicious BBQ and Grilling Recipes
Cajun BBQ Tower of Love – Cajun grilled shrimp stacked with a corn salsa on top of a moist and delicious gluten-free jalapeno corn bread.
Fig and Caramelized Onion BBQ Ribs– finger licking good ribs that take advantage of the sweetness from natural figs and onions
Emerald Chicken Kabobs– Parsley is such an under used fresh herb but it really makes this chicken kabob dish delicious, especially if you marinade the night before.
Peking Glazed Beer Butt Chicken– With a beer in one hand and basting brush in the other, this is a perfect way to enjoy the evening with family and friends.
Best Grilled Asparagus the perfect easy grilling side dish.
I hope you enjoy this fast and easy Grilled Chili Lime Okra as much as our family did. My boys love their food spicy so I added some Thai bird chilis for them, but it is just as delicious without for those that like their food mild like me.
Happy Grilling!
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Grilled Chili Lime Okra
Ingredients
- 8 wooden skewers
(pre-soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning) - 12 okra
or about 4 pieces per person - 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic
finely chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder) - salt and pepper
to taste - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
or a fresh chili chopped - 2 tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Pre-soak wooden skewers for at about 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill. Preheat the BBQ grill.
- In a sealable baggie, mix together okra, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, chili powder or chili peppers (optional) and mix well.
- Place the okra on the wooden skewer. I used two skewers side by side and threaded each okra on in two spots to give it more stability when turning on the grill.
- Grill okra for about 2-3 minutes on each side or just until some grill marks are showing on the okra. Remove from Grill. Squeeze fresh lime juice on top of the grilled okra.
- Enjoy!
I love okra but have never tried grilling it. Am always looking for new ways to try the vegetable and will surely try it out.
I think grilling is my favourite way to prepare okra. I don’t like them when it is deep fried as it is too greasy and in a curry they transform into a strange texture. I also like it pan roasted in the oven and that is my second favourite way to eat okra.
Oh goodness, these grilled and seasoned okra look absolutely tasty! I’ve never had skewered okras before, but that looks like a fun BBQ snack to have around! Lime juice is perfect…it goes well with anything and gives a tangy kick!
Thank you very much! Sometimes after I grill the okra, we sprinkle with black/white toasted sesame seeds or make a fun dipping sauce as these are a delicious little treat.
I’ve never tried okra in my life… what a shame! I’ll try to catch up as soon as possibile!
Love the sound of this! Now the hard part will be finding fresh okra! My inlaws will be visiting next month and they are from the South. Okra is right up their alley!
I can imagine snacking on these in the afternoons. I absolutely love those Spanish green peppers that are mild and char-grilles. Okra would be very similar and very irresistible to my tastebuds with those sorts of flvours.
I was actually looking for those little mini green mild peppers we use for yakitori that I used to buy in Japan but I could not find them anywhere in HK. The okra was from Thailand so of course the first 2 flavours that come to mind are chilis and a little squeeze of lime. It’s a perfect match.
This is a great snack/appetizer with beer…and I don’t even drink beer! xD But I can tell it goes very well – spicy and refreshing, and grilled… I love Okra from when I was kid. I even thought it’s Japanese veggie when I came to the US as it is pronounced the same (but I wondered why it didn’t spell Okura). So silly. =P
This looks like a great way to enjoy okra without the awful texture element. The thought of gooey, slimy okra makes me cringe.
I love okra – but never have had it grilled – grilling it and pairing it with that chili lime sauce makes this mouthwatering! And what a gorgeous sunset while you cook!