This simple combination of two favorite Southern ingredients—okra and shrimp—makes for a delicious stew. Try it over cooked white rice or with some crusty bread to sop up the juices.


Southern Okra and Shrimp Recipe

Okra and shrimp is a classic Southern dish made with two of the region’s favorite ingredients. Star-shaped, seed-filled [okra pods](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-okra) are a common ingredient in stews such as gumbo and rice dishes like [Jambalaya](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-jambalaya). In coastal areas, like New Orleans and parts of South Carolina, shrimp are a staple food. This dish features okra and fresh shrimp cooked in a rich [Cajun](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-the-cajun-holy-trinity)-spiced sauce to form a stew so delicious you’ll completely forget the vegetable’s slimy reputation. 

Once you get the hang of this Louisiana-inspired dish, using these tips, you’ll want to make variations of okra and shrimp stew over and over again.

1. __Use fresh or frozen okra__. While fresh, in-season okra will produce the best-tasting okra and shrimp stew, [frozen okra](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-freeze-okra) can also be used in this recipe. Frozen okra should be added after the tomato sauce has been assembled, rather than with the other sautéed vegetables. 
2. __Play around with additions__. This hearty, Cajun-inspired stew can be adapted to include a variety of proteins, vegetables, and seasonings. Add complimentary vegetables like eggplant, red pepper, zucchini, and fresh corn to the vegetable mixture. Replace the spices in this recipe with your favorite spice blend, such as Cajun seasoning or Creole seasoning. Or add meats, like Andouille sausage, to the stew for an extra layer of flavor. 
3. __Make extra for leftovers__. This flavorful stew will actually benefit from some overnight time in the refrigerator. To allow the flavors to develop even further, refrigerate the soup in an airtight container for up to two days. 

This simple combination of two favorite Southern ingredients—okra and shrimp—makes for a delicious stew. Try it over cooked white rice or with some crusty bread to sop up the juices.


Okra and shrimp is a classic Southern dish made with two of the region’s favorite ingredients. Star-shaped, seed-filled <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-okra' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-okra","linkCopy":"okra pods","category":null}'>okra pods</a> are a common ingredient in stews such as gumbo and rice dishes like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-jambalaya' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-jambalaya","linkCopy":"Jambalaya","category":null}'>Jambalaya</a>. In coastal areas, like New Orleans and parts of South Carolina, shrimp are a staple food. This dish features okra and fresh shrimp cooked in a rich <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-the-cajun-holy-trinity' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-the-cajun-holy-trinity","linkCopy":"Cajun","category":null}'>Cajun</a>-spiced sauce to form a stew so delicious you’ll completely forget the vegetable’s slimy reputation.

What Is Okra and Shrimp?

Once you get the hang of this Louisiana-inspired dish, using these tips, you’ll want to make variations of okra and shrimp stew over and over again.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Use fresh or frozen okra. While fresh, in-season okra will produce the best-tasting okra and shrimp stew, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-freeze-okra' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-freeze-okra","linkCopy":"frozen okra","category":null}'>frozen okra</a> can also be used in this recipe. Frozen okra should be added after the tomato sauce has been assembled, rather than with the other sautéed vegetables. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Play around with additions. This hearty, Cajun-inspired stew can be adapted to include a variety of proteins, vegetables, and seasonings. Add complimentary vegetables like eggplant, red pepper, zucchini, and fresh corn to the vegetable mixture. Replace the spices in this recipe with your favorite spice blend, such as Cajun seasoning or Creole seasoning. Or add meats, like Andouille sausage, to the stew for an extra layer of flavor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Make extra for leftovers. This flavorful stew will actually benefit from some overnight time in the refrigerator. To allow the flavors to develop even further, refrigerate the soup in an airtight container for up to two days. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Cooking Okra and Shrimp

Okra and Shrimp Recipe

This simple combination of two favorite Southern ingredients—okra and shrimp—makes for a delicious stew. Try it over cooked white rice or with some crusty bread to sop up the juices.