How to Make Crispy Stir-Fried Squid with Pickled Scallion Heads

Stir-fried squid with Chinese scallions is a dish featuring a harmonious blend of the crisp sweetness of squid and the mild tanginess, distinctive aromatic crunch of scallion bulbs. When stir-fried properly, the squid becomes tender-crisp, never rubbery or watery, while the Chinese scallions retain their crunch and tempting flavor. In the article below, Ola Squid will guide you through how to make stir-fried squid with Chinese scallions that is rich, flavorful, and easy to prepare with simple steps right at home.

Ingredients for Stir-Fried Squid with Chinese Scallions

For a serving size of about 3 – 4 people, you can prepare the following ingredients:

Note: 

• Choosing fresh squid: Prioritize squid with a translucent white or ivory-white color, a firm body, good elasticity, and a naturally fresh smell without any unusual fishy odors.
• Choosing fresh Chinese scallions: Select scallions that are bright white, firm, plump, with green, fresh leaves and roots that are not soggy or bruised. Avoid bulbs that are mushy, blackened, or carry a strange odor. 

Steps to Make Crispy, Flavorful Stir-Fried Squid with Chinese Scallions

To help the dish retain its sweet crispness, squid and Chinese scallions should be handled separately during the initial steps, then quickly combined over high heat so the seasonings meld together without making the squid rubbery.

Step 1 – Prepare squid and Chinese scallions

Gently pull the head of the fresh squid, remove the ink sac, eyes, innards, and hard gladius (cuttlebone), then wash thoroughly and rub lightly with a little salt to eliminate any fishy smell. Cut the squid body into bite-sized rings and drain completely. Wash the Chinese scallions, drain, and halve or slice into bite-sized segments; wash cilantro, drain, and slice the chili. Next, bring a pot of water to a boil, blanch the squid quickly for about 30 – 45 seconds until it just firms up, then take it out and let it drain well before marinating. 

See details: Quick and simple guide to clean squid for authentic flavorful dishes

Step 2 – Marinate the squid

Place the blanched squid into a bowl, add 1/2 tablespoon of fish sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning powder, and 1/3 teaspoon of ground black pepper, mix thoroughly and marinate for about 10-15 minutes to let the squid absorb the seasonings. Avoid marinating for too long, as the squid will release liquid easily, compromising its crispiness when stir-fried.

Step 3 – Sauté aromatics and stir-fry Chinese scallions first

Heat a pan with 1.5 tablespoons of cooking oil, and sauté the minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant. Then add the Chinese scallions and toss quickly over high heat for about 1-2 minutes until heated through and lightly firm, then transfer to a separate plate. Do not stir-fry Chinese scallions for too long, as they will lose their signature crispness.

Step 4 – Stir-fry squid over high heat

Reheat the pan over high heat, add the marinated squid, and toss continuously for about 2-3 minutes until the squid firms up, turns an opaque white, and releases an aromatic fragrance. During stir-frying, do not cover the pan with a lid so that steam can escape, preventing the squid from releasing excess liquid and helping it retain its crisp texture.

Step 5 – Stir-fry squid together with Chinese scallions

When the squid is just cooked through, return the pre-stir-fried Chinese scallions into the pan and toss evenly over high heat for about 1 minute so the two ingredients blend well together. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Step 6 – Final seasoning and add cilantro

Add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to balance out the flavors, toss quickly for about 20-30 seconds, then turn off the heat. Sprinkle cilantro and sliced chili on top, stir gently, and transfer to a serving plate. The dish should be enjoyed hot to fully experience the crisp sweetness of the squid and the fragrant crunch of Chinese scallions.

See more delicious and easy-to-make stir-fried squid recipes right at home:

• What is delicious stir-fried with squid? Summary of the best rice-devouring stir-fried squid dishes
• Recipe for crispy, sweet, and aromatic stir-fried squid with green beans
• How to make stir-fried squid with garlic: crispy, sweet, non-watery, and without fishiness
• How to make delicious, crispy stir-fried squid with cauliflower, addictingly good
• How to make sweet and sour stir-fried squid with pineapple, crisp and crunchy at home
• Suggestions for 2 crispy, delicious stir-fried squid with broccoli recipes that go great with rice
• How to make crispy, delicious sweet and sour stir-fried squid, addictive from the first bite
• How to make crisp green stir-fried squid with water spinach, extremely tasty

Secrets to Keeping Squid Crispy and Not Watery When Stir-Frying

To help squid retain its sweet crispness and prevent it from releasing too much water, you should pay close attention to cooking temperature and timing. A few simple tips include:

• Stir-fry over high heat for a short time: Toss the squid quickly over high heat and control the total cooking duration, avoiding letting it exceed 5 minutes so the squid will not turn rubbery or release excess liquid.
• Do not cover with a lid while stir-frying: Keeping the pan uncovered allows steam to evaporate freely, reducing the risk of steaming the squid and making it watery.
• Blanch the squid briefly before stir-frying: Blanching squid for about 30 – 45 seconds in boiling water helps tighten the squid meat, shortens the stir-frying time, and maintains its crispy deliciousness.

Frequently Asked Questions When Stir-Frying Squid with Chinese Scallions

What goes well with stir-fried squid with Chinese scallions?

Stir-fried squid with Chinese scallions has a sweet, crispy, and mildly aromatic flavor, making it perfect to pair with hot steamed rice. You can also enjoy it with fresh herbs or sliced cucumbers to refresh the palate.

How to reduce the pungency of Chinese scallions?

With fresh Chinese scallions, after removing the roots and mature outer layers, wash them thoroughly and soak in water for about 10-15 minutes before draining and cooking. When stir-frying, toss over high heat so the scallions cook quickly, cutting down the pungent bite while preserving their crispness.

Can frozen squid replace fresh squid?

You can use frozen squid, but make sure to thaw it completely and let it drain very well prior to cooking. Blanching it briefly and stir-frying rapidly over high heat is recommended to minimize water release and avoid toughness.

Can dried squid replace fresh squid?

You can make a twist on this dish using dried squid, though the finished dish will have a different chewiness and a deeper savory flavor compared to fresh squid. Dried squid should be lightly grilled, shredded or sliced small, and quickly stir-fried with the Chinese scallions.

Can fresh Chinese scallions be used instead of pickled scallions?

Fresh Chinese scallions can completely replace pickled scallions. However, the dish will lack the signature sourness and lean more toward the natural sweetness and mild sharpness of fresh scallions, so you may add a dash of vinegar or fresh lime juice to balance the flavor profile.

Above is how to make stir-fried squid with Chinese scallions that is tender-crisp, rich, and flavorful with simple steps right at home. If you want to change up your daily menu with dishes prepared from dried squid, explore dried squid Ola Squid with diverse choices in sizes and body thickness, suitable for snacking or transforming into numerous delicious delicacies. Contact Ola Squid today to receive expert advice on the ideal product suited to your needs!