Introducing Seafood Okra
Seafood Okra, also known as Okro Soup with Seafood, is one of Nigeria’s most beloved delicacies. This hearty dish combines the slimy goodness of okra with an assortment of fresh seafood, offering a healthy, protein-rich, and deeply satisfying meal. Perfect when paired with traditional Nigerian swallows like eba, pounded yam, fufu, or semovita, this soup is a must-try if you’re craving authentic West African flavours.
Table of Contents
What is Seafood Okra?🐟
Seafood okra is a traditional Nigerian soup cooked with okra, assorted seafood like crabs, prawns, periwinkles, and fish, simmered in rich spices. It is popular among coastal communities and is often served with fufu, pounded yam, or eba. This soup is known for its slimy texture (thanks to the okra), which helps bind the seafood flavours together beautifully.
Why Seafood Okra is Special💖
Unlike the more common okra soup with assorted meats, seafood okra highlights the rich taste of the ocean. Prawns, crabs, periwinkles, and fresh fish blend with okra’s earthy texture, creating a balance of flavours that feels both indulgent and nourishing. It’s a dish that celebrates both Nigeria’s coastal abundance and the creativity of its cuisine.
Ingredients for Seafood Okra Soup 🦐🐟🦀
Seafood Selection (mix and match based on preference):
- Fresh prawns (large or medium, shelled and deveined)
- Crab claws or whole crabs (cleaned and cracked)
- Periwinkles (optional, well-cleaned)
- Fresh fish (like croaker, catfish, or tilapia – cut into chunks)
- Mussels or calamari (optional, but adds variety)
- Stockfish (soaked and softened)
- Smoked fish (for extra depth of flavour)
Vegetables & Soup Base:
- 400g fresh okra (finely chopped or grated – half sliced, half blended for texture)
- 1 medium onion (blended or chopped)
- Scotch bonnet peppers (atarodo – adjust to spice level)
- 1 red bell pepper (for colour and mild sweetness)
- 2–3 tablespoons crayfish (ground)
- 1–2 handfuls of ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves) or spinach (optional for a touch of green)
Cooking Essentials:
- ½ cup palm oil (for richness and colour)
- 2–3 seasoning cubes (Maggi or Knorr, to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
- 1–2 cups seafood/fish stock (or water, but stock is better)
Equipment Needed🥘
To prepare seafood okra, you’ll need:
- Medium to large pot
- Chopping board and knife
- Blender or grater (for okra and peppers)
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Bowl for washing seafood
Step-by-Step: How to Make Seafood Okra👩🏾🍳
Step 1: Prepare the Seafood
- Clean and season the prawns, crabs, and fish with salt, pepper, and a little stock cube.
- Steam lightly until just cooked, then set aside. This keeps the seafood firm and flavorful.
Step 2: Cook the Base
- Heat palm oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add onions and blended peppers, stir-frying until aromatic.
- Pour in the stock and allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Add Okra
- Stir in the grated or finely chopped okra.
- Mix well to release the natural sliminess (a whisk can help here).
- Cook for 3–5 minutes while stirring continuously.
Step 4: Incorporate Seafood & Seasoning
- Gently add in the pre-cooked seafood.
- Sprinkle ground crayfish, adjust seasoning with stock cubes, pepper, and salt.
- Stir carefully so the seafood remains intact.
Step 5: Add Greens & Finish
- Toss in chopped ugu or spinach for a fresh, earthy note.
- Simmer for 2 minutes and turn off the heat.
✅ Your seafood okra is ready! Serve hot with your favourite swallow (eba, pounded yam, fufu, or semo).
Seafood Okra Served with swallow
Serving Suggestions 🍽️
Seafood Okra pairs beautifully with Nigerian swallows like:
- Eba (garri)
- Pounded yam
- Fufu (cassava, plantain, or yam)
- Semovita
For a lighter option, enjoy it with plain boiled rice.
Tips for the Perfect Seafood Okra⭐
- Use fresh seafood for the best taste and aroma.
- Do not overcook okra to retain its slimy texture.
- Add leafy vegetables at the end for colour and extra nutrition.
- Adjust spice levels depending on your preference.
Seafood Okra Soup
Ingredients
- 1/2 kg shrimp or prawns fresh
- 1 kg fresh fish, cut into chunks Tilapia, Titus Fish, etc..
- 3 crabs, cleaned and dressed (optional) Fresh Crabs.
- 500 g Meat The choice of meat is yours but ensure that tripe (Saki) is included
- 1/2 cup Red Oil
- 1 Sweet Pepper fresh
- 1 Red Onions
- Habanero peppers add to your taste
- 3 Small seasoned cube
- 1 tbsp Salt add to your taste
Instructions
- Cut the fish into manageable pieces after cleaning. Some fishmongers can do this for you.
- In order to prepare the shrimp, you should remove the hard outer shell and the digestive tract.
- Wash the okra and either grate it or blend it into small cubes. Be careful not to use too much water if using a blender.
- When preparing soup, you can chop the peppers to your liking and add them to the soup, blend them, or pound them in a mortar.
- Dice the onions.
- In a pot, add 2 cups of water, fish, stock cubes, pepper, palm oil, iru, and salt.
- After cooking for 5-10 minutes, add crayfish, crab, squid, and shrimp. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Please remove the fish from the sauce. (The fish sauce will be reintroduced)
- Do not cover the pot after okra has been introduced into the pot. If you do, the okra will not keep its resilience.
- Taste for salt and seasoning, adjust as necessary, reduce heat, and simmer for 3minutes.
- The heat from the pan will continue cooking the okra for about two more minutes after removing it from heat, so be cautious not to overcook.
- Empty the soup into a cool bowl to retain the freshness of the Okra and the vegetables.
Notes
Nutritional Composition🍽️
Nutritional Information (Approximate per Serving
)
- Seafood(e.g., shrimp, fish):
Protein: Rich in high-quality protein, essential for muscle building and repair.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found predominantly in fish, these healthy fats promote heart health and cognitive function.
Vitamins and Minerals: Seafood is a great source of vitamins like B12 and D, as well as minerals such as zinc, iodine, and selenium, which are crucial for various body functions. - Okra:
Calories: Low in calories, making it a weight-friendly option.
Dietary Fiber: High in fiber, helping to promote healthy digestion and prevent constipation.
Vitamins: Excellent source of vitamins C and K, both essential for immune function and bone health, respectively.
Antioxidant: Contains antioxidants like polyphenols, which combat oxidative stress in the body.
Health Benefits🧑🏽⚕️
- Heart Health: The omega-3 fatty acids in seafood can lower triglycerides and reduce blood pressure, which is beneficial for overall heart health.
- Weight Management: Low-calorie, nutrient-dense options like seafood okra can help with weight management while providing essential nutrients.
- Digestive Health: The dietary fiber in okra aids in digestion, promoting a healthy gut and preventing digestive disorders.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Both seafood and okra have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases related to inflammation.
- Bone Health: The combination of vitamin K from okra and minerals like calcium from seafood supports bone density and overall bone health.
- Immune Support: The vitamins and minerals in seafood and okra can boost the immune system, helping the body fend off infections.
- Skin Health: The rich content of vitamins, especially vitamins C and E, found in seafood and okra, contributes to healthy and glowing skin.
Seafood okra is not only a flavorful dish but also a powerhouse of nutrition. By combining the health benefits of seafood with the fiber and vitamins of okra, it offers a range of advantages that support overall health and well-being. Incorporating this dish into your diet can help maintain a balanced, nutritious intake while enjoying delicious flavours.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you might also like to check out the following Nigerian recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)🙋🏽
Q1: Can I make seafood okra without palm oil?
👉Yes, you can substitute with vegetable oil, but palm oil gives the soup its authentic taste.
Q2: What’s the best swallow to eat with seafood okra?
👉Seafood okra pairs perfectly with eba, fufu, semo, or pounded yam.
Q3: Can I store?
👉Yes, refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat gently before serving.
Final Thoughts 🌊✨
If you’re looking to try a soup that’s light, nutritious, and bursting with flavour, Seafood Okra Soup is the perfect choice. It’s quick to make, highly versatile, and a fantastic way to enjoy Nigerian cuisine with a coastal twist.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you might also like to check out the following Nigeria recipes.
How to make egusi soup (boiled method)
How to make bitterleaf soup (ofe onubu)
How to make okra soup (ofe okwuru)
How to make fisherman’s soup
How to make ofe Owerri soup
How to make oha soup (ofe oha)
How to make ogbono soup (ofe ogbono)
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