Mediterranean Okra Tomato stew is a great quick, vegan option and a fast way to make an okra stew in your Instant Pot or Pressure cooker.
I know, I know. You hear Okra you think slimy. This is not slimy. I will show you how to make okra that is not slimy, and I will show you to do it in an Instant Pot in a very easy pour and cook recipe.
WHAT IS BAMYEH OKRA TOMATO STEW?
Thre are multiple versions of this stew throughout the Middle East, Greece, and even Persia, where it is known as Khoresht Bamiyeh. All of them have a few things in common. Okra and tomatoes are combined together, to make a delicious stew that comes together pretty quickly.
Sometimes it includes lamb or other meat but I made this Bamyeh as a vegan version, so mine only has veggies.
I used allspice in mine, but you could try it with and without allspice to see which version you like better.
WHAT KEEPS THE OKRA FROM GETTING STICKY?
I think there are a few different things that keep the stew from getting sticky. First, I used whole okra which minimizes the sticky stuff oozing out. Second, the acidity in the tomatoes helps. Third, the acidity in the Cider Vinegar adds not just flavor but also plays a role in keeping the stew from getting sticky.
I hate sticky okra myself and in fact, my most favorite way to eat okra is this sheet pan bhindi masala recipe that I made. It's the epitome of #ruthlessefficiency really.
One thing to keep in mind in this recipe is that tomato paste can sometimes burn in a pressure cooker. That is why I add it after the vegetables have cooked. This allows us to use very little water while cooking, but then add the fresh flavor from the tomato paste and lemon juice once the Bamyeh is cooked.
EQUIPMENT YOU MAY NEED TO MAKE THIS INSTANT POT PRESSURE COOKER MEDITERRANEA BAMYEH | OKRA TOMATO STEW RECIPE:
- Instant Pot Mini Duo, or Instant pot 6 quarts, or Instant Pot 8 Quarts
- Measuring Cups
- My favorite Cutting Board
- Good set of Kitchen Knives
Want More Instant Pot Recipes?
- Instant Pot Butter Chicken is an easy 30-minute dinner and you can make rice on top of it, as the video shows.
- Pressure Cooker Rice and Dal is a great vegetarian rice dinner.
- This Lebanese Lentil and Rice dish is another great Vegetarian Instant Pot recipe.
- Instant Pot Indian Khichadi is comfort food in a bowl!
- Instant Pot Risotto with Shrimp is another one-pot comfort meal.
- Buffalo chicken casserole for the days you want low carb recipes
- You might also like low carb Chicken Biryani that uses riced cauliflower.
- Chicken and Mushrooms are a great combo.
- My kids love Instant Pot Pork Chops with Rice and Vegetables
- Zucchini Lasagna- You won't even miss the pasta.
- Haluski Recipe - A wonderful cabbage and noodles recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Water
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 cup onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 14.5 ounce Canned Tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Chicken Bouillon Paste
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Ground Allspice
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1.5 pounds Okra, fresh or frozen
For Finishing
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
Instructions
- Following the order of the ingredients provided, place all ingredients except the lemon juice and tomato paste into the inner liner of your Instant Pot. You want to start with the liquid, onions, and spices at the bottom before you put in the frozen okra on top.
- Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes, and then allow the pot to sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
- Release all remaining pressure.
- Open the lid, add tomato paste in water and lemon juice, and stir gently before serving.
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Nutrition
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Luana
This is delicious and easy. I make it all the time!
Patricia A Page
We love this at home, and it's always a hit at pot lucks at work. Some of my colleagues think it's a southern recipe! As long as they like it, who cares where it comes from?
Jody Williams
I usually only eat okra in soups but this recipe stood out to me. The only thing I did differently was to add the whole can of tomato paste instead of the 2 tablespoons. I thought it was very tasty and this recipe turns out to be a great recipe for okra. It is nice and thick after cooking and I have to say I ate my portion for lunch and it was great all by itself.
URVASHI PITRE
So glad you enjoyed it!
Jennifer Murdock
This was amazing! I made a few very minor modifications to fit my personal taste but cooked mostly by the recipe. It was so tasty and filling and my husband loved it too (he went back for seconds). I will certainly make a double batch next time and may even share a little with my neighbor if she's lucky.
Jennifer Murdock
I also used frozen cut okra like another poster and it was perfect!
Claire Simons
Sooooo good! Used frozen cut okra. Delicious!
Mary-Kay Bunton-Pierce
This Mediterranean Bamyeh Okra Tomato Stew recipe is fantastic! I went back for seconds and thirds. I was really surprised that the okra wasn't slimy. Urvashi said it wouldn't be and I trust her recipes, so I gave it a try. I didn't have plain canned tomatoes in the house, so I used fire-roasted canned tomatoes, and I used a vegetable bouillon since we're vegan.
Shamarie Horn
This was great and that is coming from a person who isn't an okra fan.
I did make a few flavor changes like using mild Rotel, Knorr tomato chicken bouillon, smoked salt and regular paprika. I also used lime rather than lemon. But generally stayed true to the spirit of the recipe since I did use things I had on hand.
I recommend trying this if you dont hate okra but aren't a huge fan. I think it would be a great side dish with ham or lamb.
URVASHI PITRE
Nice! So glad that worked
Dee
Recipe is so easy my husband made it. The flavor is crazy good. Best way we have had okra so far, although the SHEET PAN BHINDI MASALA INDIAN OKRA is pretty good in it's own way too.