Mexican Style Okra (Okra a la Mexicana)
Delicious okra like you’ve never tasted it before! This flavorful Mexican style okra is cooked with basic ingredients of Mexican cooking. This dish is a yummy vegan appetizer or side dish.

What Does “A La Mexicana” Mean
This term simply means Mexican-style. Typically it refers to food cooked with 3 basic ingredients of Mexican cooking. The ingredients are green chile, onion and tomato.
See where that’s going?
These three colors are the colors of the Mexican flag. So when a dish is cooked with them it makes it “a la mexicana”. In this case okra Mexican style.
Of course, white onion is what typically is used when a dish is made “Mexican-style”. As you can see here I ended up using purple onion — yes, I’m aware it’s no longer the flag colors. But the spirit of the style is still there. You can of course use white onion instead.
Is Okra Commonly Used in Mexican Cooking
No, okra isn’t a common ingredient in Mexican cooking. It does pop up here and there throughout Mexican regions. I believe it’s more common in the Northern Mexican states.
If you do see it in Mexico it’ll be called ocra or quimbombó.
I’ve actually only ever seen okra at the grocery store, either fresh or frozen. I’ve never seen it at market, restaurant and certainly didn’t eat it as a child.
Okra is something I became familiar with only after moving to the US. There I only tasted it in gumbo — but I loved it!
When I saw it at the grocery store I had to buy it and knew immediately that I’d be cooking it “a la Mexicana”.
Health Benefits of Okra
Okra, like so many other veggies, is super healthy. Definitely eat it when you get the chance to. Below are some of the many reasons why.
- Okra is full of dietary fiber. This means it’s great for your digestive tract and will also keep you feeling full longer.
- Okra is a low-calorie food. Great for those watching their weight.
- Said to control blood sugar, keep healthy cholesterol, and great for our kidneys.
- Boosts your immune system
- Believed to be great for hair, brain, joints, eyes, and skin health.
And so many more great reasons to add add okra to our diets.
Mexican Style Okra (Ocra a la Mexicana)
Ingredients
- 1.5 Tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup red or white onion finely chopped
- teaspoon salt
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 large jalapeno chopped
- 2 cups sliced fresh okra*
- 1 large Roma tomato chopped
Instructions
- Have all of the ingredients ready to go. Heat the oil in a large pan and once hot add the onion, saute until soft. Then add salt then the garlic and cook another minute before adding the jalapeno and sauteing for another couple of minutes. Next, add the okra slices and cook until the okra begins to release it’s viscous liquid and also soften. Lastly, add the chopped tomato bits and saute until they have broken down and okra is completely soft and tender.
- Serve with corn chips as an appetizer or as a side dish.
Notes
Nutrition
This simple recipe for okra a la Mexicana is a must-try! You can serve it with some baked or fried corn chips for a scrumptious vegan snack or as a side dish. Or better yet you can double the ingredients and serve this with rice and beans for a very filling and healthy Mexican vegan meal.
Enjoy amigos and do let me know if you give it a try.
More Recipes to Dip Your Corn Chips Into
- Guacamole
- Baked Panela Cheese
- Hearts of Palm Ceviche | Vegan Ecuadorian-Style Ceviche with a Mexican Touch
- Salsa Molcajeteada | Tomato & Serrano Pepper Salsa Made in a Molcajete
- Mango, Orange and Red Chile Salsa
- Cauliflower Ceviche | Best Vegan Ceviche Recipe
Nancy Lopez is a food blogger and author of the cookbook Mexican Tamales Made Meatless. Born in Mexico, raised in the US, and currently living in Southern Mexico, she has followed a meatless diet for almost 10 years. It is her passion and mission to share all she has learned about vegan Mexican cooking and vegetarian Mexican recipes. Mexican Made Meatless is a blog dedicated to preserving the authentic flavors of Mexican cuisine just without the meat. It’s a place to celebrate Mexican culture and all it’s delightfully delicious traditional foods. Read more…
I would of never though of cooking okra this way, what a simple yet wonderful recipe. love it.
It’s so flavorful, hope you can give it a try. Thank you!
Hello! I’m planning to make this tonight, but I’m out out jalapenos and fresh tomatoes. I plan to substitute with a red bell pepper and some red pepper flakes. I will also be using frozen okra. I plan to serve it with chimichurri rice & some chimichurri chicken sausages I have. Thanks so much for the recipe! I look forward to trying this. 🙂
Hi Arianna! Glad to hear you were inspired to make your own version of my Mexican-style okra. Enjoy!
I’m so sorry, I realize this is a vegan page. I won’t be offended if you don’t post my comment.
No worries, Arianna! I understand that we all follow different lifestyles we want. I don’t think that we can expect someone to see our side of things if we aren’t polite, kind and understanding of each other. I truly hope that perhaps you’ll be inspired to try one of my meatless dishes…perhaps for a Meatless Monday. Thank you and enjoy your okra!
No worries, Arianna! I understand that we all follow different lifestyles we want. I don’t think that we can expect someone to see our side of things if we aren’t polite, kind and understanding of each other. I truly hope that perhaps you’ll be inspired to try one of my meatless dishes…perhaps for a Meatless Monday. Thank you and enjoy your okra! 🙂