Stir-Fried Okra with Ham
A quick weeknight stir-fry pairing tender okra with salty ham and fragrant garlic. This simple Chinese-inspired dish comes together in minutes and works beautifully as a side or light main.
Story
This quick stir-fry celebrates the unique texture of okra alongside the savory punch of ham. The secret is keeping the okra tender-crisp—overcooking it makes it mushy. Serve straight from the pan over steamed rice.
Ingredients
okra pods
12
diced ham
50g (about 2 oz)
garlic cloves, minced
4-5
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons
salt
to taste
Instructions
1
Prep the okra
Rinse okra under cold water and pat completely dry. Trim off the stems and cut each pod into bite-sized pieces, about half an inch thick.
2
Prep ham and garlic
Cut the ham into cubes roughly the same size as your okra pieces. Peel and mince the garlic cloves.
3
Cook aromatics
Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Watch carefully—garlic burns quickly.
4
Add ham and okra
Toss in the ham cubes and cook 1-2 minutes until lightly browned. Add the okra pieces and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Season with salt to taste.
5
Serve immediately
Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy right away while hot. This pairs nicely with steamed rice.
