Instant Pot Okra Rice Recipe (2024)

Posted On November 10, 2020 By Mirlene Last updated January 21, 2021 10 Comments

Okra Rice is a popular Caribbean side dish that blows plain old rice out of the water.

Vibrant and full of flavor, this okra perloo will help you add a bit of variety to your meals while packing in plenty of vitamins and minerals along the way.

Our Okra Rice recipe is fast, budget friendly and all cooked in one pan, making post-dinner cleanup a breeze.

Okra

Sometimes known as Ladies’ Fingers, okra is actually the seed pod of a plant that is used frequently in Caribbean, Indian and Southern recipes.

Okra is one of those love-it-or-hate-it ingredients. While its flavor is fairly mild, once cooked it can take on a certain sliminess (which is actually great for thickening up stews and soups!)

In this recipe, frying the okra for a few minutes helps to eliminate that slimy texture.

Okra is well worth trying, not just for its unique taste but also for its long list of nutritional benefits. It is a rich source of dietary fiber with plenty of vitamin A, vitamin C and many essential minerals like iron, calcium and magnesium.

Rice

This recipe is great for using up any half-used bags of rice that you have sitting in the cupboard, as it works with several different varieties including long grain and basmati (it also makes it pretty easy on the wallet). You could even use brown rice if you would prefer. Just try and avoid medium or short grain rice, as these will stick together in your pan.

The broth in this recipe helps to give the rice an extra helping of deliciousness. Don’t be tempted to skip the step of toasting the uncooked rice in the pan before you add your liquid. This enhances the nutty taste of the grains, adding even more flavor to your end dish.

What can I Serve With Okra Rice?

This recipe is a versatile side dish that could be served alongside almost any meat or fish, particularly when cooked with similar Caribbean-inspired herbs and spices. Because it is so flavorsome, this Okra Rice recipe can even be served on its own as a vegetarian lunch or light dinner dish.

Okra Perloo Tips and Tricks

Tempting as it may be, try not to over-stir your rice mixture as it is cooking. Hence why this rice is perfect in the instant pot. If you were to make this okra rice recipe on the stove, make sure you are using a low heat and a tight-fitting lid, and stir gently after 15 minutes. Stir much more than that and you will activate the starch in the rice and make it mushy.

As this recipe has Caribbean origins, there is a fair amount of spice involved. However, it’s totally adaptable according to your preferences, so if you’re not overly keen on spicy food, start with small amounts and work your way up, tasting as you go. If you are cooking for kids, you can always omit the chilli completely.

More Okra Recipes You’ll Enjoy

If you loved this okra rice / okra perloo recipe, try these Crispy Air Fryer Fried Okra Recipe next.

OTHER VEGAN RECIPES YOU’LL ENJOY

Haitian Black Rice

Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Air fryer brussels sprouts

Air Fryer Plantain Chips

Air fryer roasted chickpeas

Tabbouleh Salad

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