What is Nigerian okra soup made of?
Elijah King
Updated on March 12, 2026
What is Nigerian okra soup made of?
Okra soup (African okro soup) is made with okra vegetables cooked in a delicious mixture of palm oil, shrimps, goat meat, fish, and African spices and simmered to perfection! This loaded okro soup is a staple in West Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon.
What is okra called in Nigeria?
obe lla
Nigeria. In Nigeria okra soup is a delicacy, the plants name derives from the Igbo language. In Yoruba, it is referred to as obe lla.
How do you preserve okra in Nigeria?
How to freeze okra step by step
- Wash and stem the okra! You can wash the okra with half part of water and vinegar, I just rinsed under warm water.
- Blanch the okra or not! As mentioned earlier, this is a personal preference.
- Cut to desired sizes!
- Transfer to a freezer bag!
What is okra called in Yoruba?
Okra (Okro) is popularly known as ila by the Yoruba people, while Asepo means ‘cooking together’, even the soup can be explained as mixed okra.
How do you make okra not slimy?
A second trick for reducing sliminess is to soak the okra in vinegar for half an hour before cooking it. Rinse it and pat dry before cooking. Finally, you can pre-cook okra at very high heat by sautéing, roasting, blanching or grilling. Then add cooked okra to your recipe and there will be hardly any slime at all.
Is OKRO soup good for man?
Minerals: It contains iron, calcium, magnesium and manganese. Well it turns out too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Some studies indicate that it can affect male fertility; okro is very rich in a pigment called Gossypol which promotes infertility in men by arresting sperm production.
Do Africans eat okra?
Of all the native food crops in Africa, the Okra is one of the most prolific across the continent. Okra is eaten as a vegetable across most of West Africa and Southern Africa, and it’s most prolific use is in soups and sauces where its mucilaginous properties lends a slimy texture to the soup.
Where does okra soup come from?
Related to cotton and other mallow family plants, okra is an ancient vegetable that originated in southern Ethiopia in far antiquity. It provides thickness and savor in the one-pot stews that are the basis of many traditional African diets.
Can you freeze okra raw?
Place sliced okra on a sheet pan and place in preheated oven for 3-4 minutes or until just warmed through. Remove okra from oven and allow to cool. Once cool, scoop okra into freezer bags and place in freezer. Once okra is frozen, use as needed!
Can I freeze okra without blanching?
While you can freeze okra, or any vegetable, without blanching, you should anticipate losing some of the okra’s taste, texture and color. To keep the best quality of okra possible while frozen, make sure you use a freezer container that is easy to seal and will keep moisture, especially vapor.
Which tribe in Nigeria has Ogbono?
Igboland
It goes by various indigenous names in Nigeria. In the Igbo speaking region it is called ‘ogbono/ugiri’ depending on the variety of Igbo. In Nupe, it is called ‘pekpeara’ , ‘ogwi’ in Bini, ‘uyo’ in Efik and ‘oro’ in Yoruba….Ogbono soup.
| Alternative names | Draw Soup |
|---|---|
| Type | Soup |
| Place of origin | Nigeria |
| Region or state | Igboland |
How long should I boil okra?
Place okra in a saucepan; add enough water to cover the okra and salt to taste; bring the water to boil. Cover the pan and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until the okra is tender. Drain well and, if desired, toss with a little butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.