Sausage and Okra in a stew is a yummy fusion of Italian and American Flavors. This hearty stew is rich, thick, and delicious!
Okra Stew Recipe
Okra... love it... or hate it? Never tried? Ahhh yes! That's who I'm looking for! Someone without preconceived notions of okra. It's the key ingredient in this recipe!
You know I'm kidding, right? I confess - until I moved to the valley, I had never tried okra either. However once I tried it, I was hooked! It has an earthy flavor and a bright crunchy texture.
Fried okra, YUM! Sausage and Okra Stew? Delicious!
In this recipe okra is coated with polenta and together they make a rich creamy soup. Don't worry, there's no slimy texture. I'll have you eating okra in no time!
Seriously, this easy recipe is rich and hearty - all you really need is a great loaf of crusty bread to sop up all this amazing broth!
Ingredients
This hearty stew is built on simple, flavorful ingredients that come together to make something truly comforting. It starts with crumbled Italian sausage, adding bold, savory depth to every bite.
Fresh okra brings a tender texture and Southern flair, while Yukon gold potatoes give the stew a buttery richness. Sweet onion and minced garlic sautéed until fragrant form the aromatic base.
Slices of polenta add a fun, unexpected twist that thickens the broth slightly and soaks up all the goodness. Frozen corn adds a pop of sweetness, and everything simmers in rich chicken broth seasoned with salt, pepper, and just a pinch of red pepper flakes for a gentle kick!
FAQ's
I'm going to address the elephant in the room because I know what you're thinking. Okra is slimy. True or not, Deb?
When it's sliced and fresh, yes. But here's the deal - you don't eat it raw! (Although I've tried it and love the flavor!)
Deep fried or stewed, once it's cooked the texture is a non-starter. In this stew, the okra is coated with polenta. It's a crunchy bright flavor. The polenta thickens the stew and when it's mixed with the sausage? This one is dynamite!
To clean the okra start by running it under cold water. Then slice off the stem and discard. Cut the okra into ¼ inch slices. If you are deep frying the okra you'll want to soak it in a vinegar brine for 30 minutes. Drain well and dry completely before frying.
Yes, okra seeds are safe to eat, the will burst in your mouth!
All of the okra is edible with the exception of the stem.
If you're stir frying okra it only takes 3-4 minutes, in the stew it's simmered with the vegetables until the potatoes are tender.
Place in a colander over a bowl. Thaw in the refrigerator.
More hearty stews I know you'll love!
- This recipe for Crockpot Italian Beef Stew is hearty, easy to make and delicious! Rich and flavorful, New Mexico Posole Recipe is cooked on the stove and is filled with tender pork and hominy.
- Best sure to try this Navy Bean Soup Recipe this soup is delicious all year long!
- Lamb Stew Recipe - with deep rich flavor and filled with hearty ingredients.
- Easy to make Moroccan Chicken Stew is a sweet and savory stew.
More delicious okra recipes
- Ropa Vieja Recipe - This vegetarian okra stew is a traditional Cuban recipe using okra, bell peppers and fresh vegetables!
- Simple Sauteed Okra - earthy flavored okra is highlighted in this simple recipe!
- Southern Fried Okra - southern + fried! Need I say anymore? YUM!
- Zesty Roasted Okra - a lighter take on fried okra, spicy and delicious!
Ready to try some okra? Awesome!
I know you'll enjoy this recipes! This recipe makes a nice big pot of stew, enough for 6 generous portions or 8 healthy bowls. Plenty for your family - and if you don't say anything about the okra, they won't even know, right? Enjoy!
Sausage and Okra Stew
Ingredients
- 1 lb mild Italian sausage
- ½ lb raw okra thinly sliced, you could also use frozen okra
- 2 yukon gold potatoes chopped into small bite sized
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup polenta I've used sliced polenta and polenta in a bag. Both will work.
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Start by browning the sausage over medium heat in a heavy bottom pan. Get a good sear on it - you want it to be well browned and broken up into little pieces
- While the sausage is cooking, chop the okra, onions, potatoes and mince the garlic.
- Drain the excess oil from the sausage and add in the okra, potatoes & onions. Sauté for about 4 minutes and add the garlic and polenta. Mix well, seasoning with the salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Increase the heat to high and add the chicken broth, bring to a boil. Stir well scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. !
- Reduce to simmer and cook for another 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Add in the frozen corn once the potatoes are cooked thru.
- The stew will thicken as it cooks. When the potatoes are fork tender, the stew is complete. Enjoy!
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Nutrition
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets) says
This looks so hearty. Thank you for making it gluten free 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Sandi, love this stew!
swathi says
Delicious harvest stew love to do a taste test, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning.
Bowl Me Over says
Come on by and bring your spoon, always fun to try new foods! 😀
Realynn says
What is polenta and where can I find it?
Bowl Me Over says
Polenta is made from corn and cooked as a dish is soft creamy. It's a great way to thicken this stew. Polenta and grits are interchangeable in this recipe. You can find either are most grocery stores or online using amazon. Enjoy the stew!
christine says
Oh, this looks awesome. I'm def. trying this when the cooler weather hits. I love using sausage in soups. I've never actually tried okra but I'm willing to give it a shot.
Bowl Me Over says
Great - let me know what you think Christine!
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
I'm a huge fan of polenta, but have never tried it in a stew, this sounds wonderful!
Bowl Me Over says
It was perfect to thicken the stew.
Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3 says
This sounds so good! I love okra and potatoes, and it looks like rain today, so that's a good enough reason for soup, right?
lizzy says
recipes like this are what i grew up on! When I saw you post this on facebook my mouth was literally watering... love this recipe!
The Food Hunter says
I am craving lovely fall dishes like this!
Bowl Me Over says
Me too - it might be hot outside, but a great bowl of stew is so warm & filling.
peter @feedyoursoultoo says
Unfortunately it is time to start thinking about fall vegetables. This is the perfect start to the season.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Peter!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
What a great recipe. I'm definitely going to make this over the weekend and pop it into the freezer for a quick midweek dinner. Thanks!
Bowl Me Over says
Great idea Lucy - I do that with all my soups! Makes life so much easier when you don't feel like cooking.
Rhoda says
Oh Wow!! This looks amazing!! I will definitely be trying this one soon!
Bowl Me Over says
You'll enjoy this Rhoda - easy, yummy stew!
Susan | LunaCafe says
Love everything about this. Okra, polenta, sausage, potatoes, corn, Wow! 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Susan!!
Justine at Full Belly Sisters says
This is a fantastic combination of ingredients, it looks amazing!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you so much Justine!!
Kathryn Doherty says
I LOVE okra and am loving everything about this stew! Warming me to the core just looking at it 🙂 Can't wait to give it a try - thanks for sharing! #FoodieFriDIY
Bowl Me Over says
You bet Kathryn - thanks for hosting such a great party!!!
nibbles by nic says
Seriously I am shocked your hub didn't go back for a third bowl at midnight. I would! YUM!!!!
Bowl Me Over says
Hahaha! Love that Nic and yes, me too! 😀
felicia | Dish by Dish says
Hi Debra! Thank you for your kind words over at my blog 🙂 I popped right over to yours and this gorgeous bowl of stew greeted me - rustic, full of flavor and rich! Wish I had a bowl right now. It's still kinda chilly here in Buenos Aires as we transition from winter to spring.... this stew would do me much good!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Felicia - I really enjoyed reading your blog. I can really relate - we have one family member that just lost their battle with cancer and one that is fighting the fight. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lois says
This looks so good. I will be making it the first chance I get. Yum!!
Bowl Me Over says
Awesome Lois, please let me know what you think!
Levan @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen says
What an amazing looking stew! So hearty and inviting. Thank you for sharing this!!
Bowl Me Over says
You bet Levan - Thanks for stopping by!
Marye says
I am so looking forward to autumn and the food that comes with it! Stew is one of my cold weather favorites, this sounds delicious!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Marye - cold weather is just around the corner!
Kaitie says
I love one pot meals. They always make the best Sunday dinners... Pair this amazing stew with homemade bread and there you have it!
Bowl Me Over says
Nailed it! Great crusty bread - meal made in heaven! Thanks for stopping by Katie!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
I love okra and I think this stew looks like a delicious seasonal dish!
Bowl Me Over says
Big fan of okra myself, thanks Amy!