How to Make Delicious & Authentic Peppered Dried Squid

Spicy Dried Squid is a captivating dish with a rich aroma from ground pepper, a savory and sweet flavor from dried squid, and a uniquely crispy yet chewy texture that everyone loves. In this article, Ola Squid will guide you through a simple yet enticing recipe for spicy dried squid to enjoy with friends and family!

1. Ingredients for Spicy Dried Squid

To make delicious, authentic spicy dried squid, you only need to prepare the following basic ingredients:

• 2 dried squids
• 1-2 teaspoons of ground black pepper
• 4-5 cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon of cooking oil
• 2 stalks of green peppercorns
• 2 chilies and 4 shallots
• A little Vietnamese coriander (rau răm)
• ⅓ teaspoon of MSG or seasoning powder

2. How to Choose Good Dried Squid for Spicy Stir-fry

For a delicious spicy dried squid dish, you need to choose the right type of dried squid, ensuring quality from appearance to flavor. Here are important criteria when selecting:

• Prioritize small to medium-sized squid as they are usually sweeter, tender, and not too chewy, making them perfect for simmering or stir-frying with pepper.
• Choose squid with a light pinkish-red color, a shiny surface, not unusually black or dark. Overly dark squid is often old or not dried properly.
• When you press it, it shouldn’t feel sticky or damp, indicating the squid has been dried and preserved correctly.
• Good squid will have a characteristic salty aroma, not a fishy or moldy smell.
• Prioritize squid with a straight body, thick and even flesh, which will retain its sweetness and firmness after cooking.
• Avoid squid with dark red spots, detached heads, or peeling skin, as these are signs of old, poor-quality squid.

3. Steps to Make Spicy Dried Squid

The process of making spicy dried squid is quite simple; just follow these steps:

• Step 1: Prepare and grill the squid
  • Quickly rinse the dried squid under running water to remove dust, then pat dry with a clean cloth.
  • Place the squid on a grill over low heat, turning it frequently to ensure it cooks evenly and doesn’t burn. When the squid turns light yellow and emits a characteristic aroma, remove it to cool.
  • Lightly pound the squid with a mallet to soften the fibers, then tear it into bite-sized pieces, removing the ink sac and backbone if present.
• Step 2: Prepare the pepper sauce
  • Wash the green peppercorns, drain them, then lightly grill them on a pan for about 2–3 minutes until fragrant (you can substitute with black pepper if green peppercorns are unavailable). Put the peppercorns in a mortar and lightly crush them, not into a paste.
  • Mix the sauce ingredients: 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper, 1/3 teaspoon of MSG, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 3 teaspoons of fish sauce. Stir well until the seasonings dissolve completely, creating a slightly thick, flavorful mixture.
  • After washing, finely mince the garlic, chilies, and shallots to prepare for sautéing.
• Step 3: Lightly fry the squid:
  • Place a pan on the stove, add a little cooking oil, and once the oil is hot, add the torn squid. Fry the squid over low heat, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes until it firms up, turns evenly golden, and absorbs the oil. Remove it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

• Step 4: Stir-fry the squid with pepper sauce:
  • Add a little more cooking oil to the pan and sauté the minced mixture of shallots, garlic, and chilies until golden and fragrant. Add the grilled green peppercorns and stir-fry for about 2 minutes until the pepper releases its aroma.
  • Add the fried squid to the pan and stir-fry evenly for a few minutes to allow the squid to absorb the flavors of the shallots, garlic, and pepper.
  • Finally, pour in the pepper sauce and stir-fry over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens, coats the squid evenly, and the squid is dry.

Refer to more:

• Guide to making flavorful Salt and Chili Roasted Dried Squid
• How to make delicious Garlic Fried Dried Squid that everyone loves
• How to make authentic Spicy Dried Squid at home

4. Finished Spicy Dried Squid Dish

Once completed, the spicy dried squid dish has a rich, characteristic aroma of green pepper, combined with a harmonious sweet and savory flavor from each chewy yet tender strand of dried squid, evenly coated with seasonings. A thin, glossy sauce adheres to the squid, not dry but still retaining its attractive firmness.

When you take a bite, you’ll clearly feel the mild, peppery heat spreading on your tongue along with the rich, flavorful squid meat, without being overpowering. This dish can be enjoyed with hot white rice, eaten as a snack when hungry, or savored with cold beer. Don’t forget to plate the squid and garnish with some Vietnamese coriander to enhance the aroma and balance the flavors.

Above is the recipe for making simple spicy dried squid at home. To make this dish the most delicious, choosing quality dried squid is crucial. If you are looking for a reputable place to buy delicious, thick-fleshed dried squid at a reasonable price, come to Ola Squid.

Here, you will find a variety of clean, fragrant dried squid, carefully selected, allowing you to confidently prepare and enjoy the dish to its fullest. Order dried squid from Ola Squid today to make your own delicious, authentic Garlic Fried Dried Squid right in your kitchen!