Brazilian Caruru with Okra and Dendê Oil

Name: Brazilian Caruru with Okra and Dendê Oil
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 400g shrimp; 1 lime; 1 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 cloves garlic; 300g fresh okra; 2 tbsp dendê (palm) oil; 1 onion; 1 bell pepper; 2 tomatoes; 1/2 cup coconut milk; 1 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; Fresh cilantro; Cooked white rice

A vibrant and flavorful dish featuring okra and shrimp

A classic Brazilian stew from Bahia, combining fresh okra, succulent shrimp, and the rich depth of dendê (palm) oil.

1 h 30 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Marinade

400g shrimp

peeled and deveined

1 lime

juiced

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 cloves garlic

minced

For the Okra Stew

300g fresh okra

sliced

2 tbsp dendê (palm) oil

1 onion

finely chopped

1 bell pepper

finely chopped

2 tomatoes

diced

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

For the Garnish

Fresh cilantro

chopped

Cooked white rice

Preparation

Marinating the Shrimp

Combine Shrimp and Marinade

In a bowl, combine shrimp with lime juice, salt, pepper, and garlic.

Refrigerate

Cover and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to infuse flavor.

Prep Ingredients

Prepare other ingredients while shrimp marinates.

Preparing the Okra

Slice Okra

Rinse and dry okra thoroughly, then slice into 1/2 cm rounds.

Use fresh okra to avoid any slimy texture.

Heat Oil

Heat dendê oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Ensure dendê oil is heated gently to avoid burning and bitterness.

Sauté Vegetables

Add onion and bell pepper; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir the stew gently to keep okra texture intact.

Cooking Process

Sauté Vegetables

Add tomatoes, and cook until they start to break down, about 5 minutes.

Use medium heat for sautéing.

Add Okra

Stir in the sliced okra and cook for 2–3 minutes to soften.

Maintain medium heat.

Simmer with Shrimp

Pour in coconut milk, add marinated shrimp, salt, and cayenne pepper. Simmer until shrimp is pink and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Simmer on low to medium heat.

Plating & Serving