Salad Greens and Veggies with Fried Okra Croutons

Elevate your salad game with this vibrant and satisfying recipe for Salad Greens and Veggies with Fried Okra Croutons! Featuring a medley of crisp mixed greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, cool cucumber slices, and zesty red onion, this salad is a refreshing base for the real star of the dish—golden, crunchy fried okra croutons. Coated in a seasoned blend of cornmeal and flour, the okra adds a unique Southern-inspired twist to your usual croutons. A tangy homemade dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard ties it all together, balancing the richness of the fried okra with a delightful pop of flavor. Ready in just 35 minutes, this crowd-pleaser is perfect for a light lunch, a dinner side, or even as a show-stopping centerpiece for your next gathering. Whether you're searching for "unique salad recipes," "Southern-style fried okra," or "vegetarian salad ideas," this dish delivers on both flavor and flair!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.25 medium red onion
• 2 cups okra
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard

Directions

Step 1

Wash and pat dry the mixed salad greens. Place them in a large salad bowl.

Step 2

Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, thinly slice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion. Add them to the salad bowl with the greens.

Step 3

Rinse the okra and pat dry. Slice into 1/2-inch rounds.

Step 4

Pour the buttermilk into a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

Step 5

Dip the okra rounds into the buttermilk, allowing the excess to drip off, then dredge them in the cornmeal-flour mixture until well-coated. Shake off excess coating.

Step 6

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Fry the okra in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard to make the dressing.

Step 8

Drizzle the dressing over the mixed greens and veggies, tossing gently to combine.

Step 9

Top the salad with the fried okra croutons just before serving. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1955.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5355.5

Total Fat 479.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 72.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 273.6g
Cholesterol 26.8mg	0%
Sodium 2765.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 276.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.7g	0%
Total Sugars 39.4g
Protein 41.5g	0%

Vitamin D 126.9IU	0%
Calcium 731.0mg	0%
Iron 14.3mg	0%
Potassium 3062.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 77.2%

Protein: 3.0%

Carbs: 19.8%