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Pickled Okra

Photo Credit
Linda21/Shutterstock
Written By: The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors The Almanac Editors and Staff
Yield
4 pints
Category
Vegetables
Course
Other
Preparation Method
Boil

With our Pickled Okra recipe, you can enjoy summer okra all year long! It’s an easy recipe, even for novice canners. Be sure to select very fresh, young, tender okra pods. Remove any spotted or blemished pods. Learn how to grow your own okra.

See our Water Bath Canning Guide if you’re not clear what supplies or steps you need to take to process your jars in a boiling water bath.

Note: If you’re looking for the older recipe, it was updated in 2020 per Ball Blue Book and USDA Food Preservation Center standards. –Reviewed by Christina Ferroli Nutrition, LLC PhD, RDN, LDN, FAND.
 

Ingredients
3 ½ pounds of small okra pods
3 cups of water
3 cups of white vinegar, 5% acidity
1/3 cup pickling salt
Optional: garlic cloves (peeled)
Optional: hot peppers (jalapeño peppers)

Instructions

Make sure all jars, lids, and bands are clean (soapy water). Remember that the lids should never be re-used and must be new. 

  1. Heat jars in a large pot with water to cover; bring to a boil and simmer.
  2. Wash okra pods under cool running water and drain.  Trim stem off the pods being careful not to cut open.
  3. Meanwhile, fill your boiling water canner (or a separate large stockpot with lid) half-full with water to a boil; simmer.
  4. In a smaller saucepan, combine water, vinegar, and salt and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Remove hot jars from the large pot 1 at a time using jar lifter. Set on cutting board or similar.
  6. Pack okra pods into the hot pint jars. (Optional: Include a garlic clove and a chili pepper or hot pepper for a kick.)
  7. Ladle hot pickling liquid into each jar, leaving ½-inch headspace at the top.
  8. Wipe the jar rims to remove any food. Cover with (new) metal lids and screw on a clean band. Don’t tighten too much.
  9. Place packed hot jars in canning rack, and place in simmering water in canner. Add additional water as needed to cover by 1 to 2 inches. Now bring water to a rolling boil.
  10. Process jars 15 minutes in boiling water canner.
  11. Remove from heat. Remove jars carefully and let cool on a surface for 12 to 24 hours. Test seals of jars by pressing center of each lid. If lids do not pop, jars are properly sealed.

Processed okra can be stored for up to one year in a cool, dry place such as a pantry. 


 

About The Author
The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Old Farmer’s Almanac Editors

The Almanac Editors and Staff

Under the guiding hand of its first editor, Robert B. Thomas, the premiere issue of The Old Farmer’s Almanac was published in 1792 during George Washington’s first term as president.Today, the Almanac...
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Comments

<span>Lynn Taylor</span> Tue, 08/16/2022 - 12:27
Do you cover the large pot during the boiling process?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 08/16/2022 - 14:58

We like to leave the lid off so that we can keep an eye on things, but you can leave it on and just check on it every now and then, if you prefer.

 <span>Tammy Taylor</span> Tue, 06/21/2022 - 08:26
Has anyone ever sliced there okra up instead of using the whole pod? Is that okay to do and how did it turn out?
<span>Jan</span> Wed, 09/11/2019 - 10:35
Is that hot water bath? I've seen recipes that don't process at all but say to use hot jars, flats and rings with hot okra in jars. Tighten lids on and that's all. Sounds like they could have a problem with tainted okra.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 08/28/2020 - 18:10

Hi Jan, Yes, you need to process jars 15 minutes in boiling water canner. We realize this recipe needed clarification and have updated it, accordingly (August, 2020).

<span>Jared Adamson</span> Mon, 08/13/2018 - 10:01
a couple of questions come to mind: is this a good way to use pods that are past their prime (aka - too tough)? also, is there an advantage/disadvantage to pressure can vs. water bath on this?--maybe the pressurizing would softening the tough pods?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 08/28/2020 - 18:11

We recommend very fresh and tender pods (not past their prime) for canning. This recipe is for boiing water-bath canning. You could certainly pressure can if you have the equipment and time; let us know if it makes a difference!

 <span>Lynn Candler</span> Thu, 08/17/2017 - 11:35
Why has this recipe changed? Do you have to do the water-bath boiling at the end?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 08/17/2017 - 14:04

Canning has changed over the years due to botulism poisoning. If you want to store your jarred food outside of the fridge in a pantry or on a shelf for up to a year, it is very important to put the jars in a boiling water bath to make the environment inside our canned goods inhospitable to the bacteria. High heat will inactivate any toxin present. This heat treatment will also destroy organisms that might cause spoilage and inactivate the enzymes that could affect flavor, color and texture during storage. Always rocess products for the length of time specified in each recipe. Learn more in our Introduction to Canning Guide here:  https://www.almanac.com/canning-for-beginners