How long to boil squid so it’s not chewy?

Squid is one of the beloved seafood options due to its natural sweetness and distinct chewy, crispy texture. However, if not prepared correctly, especially by boiling squid for too long, you risk making the squid tough, losing its inherent delicious flavor. So, how long to boil squid until it’s cooked through yet retains its tenderness and sweetness? Let’s explore the details in the article below!

1. How long to boil squid until cooked?

Boiling squid seems simple, but if the timing isn’t right, it’s easy to make the squid tough and lose its natural sweetness. So, how long should you boil squid to cook it perfectly? The answer depends on the type and size of each squid. For small egg squid, you only need to boil them for 2-3 minutes from the time the water boils to cook them, making the eggs inside creamy and not dry.

For squid tubes or flat squid with thicker bodies, boil them for about 5-7 minutes to firm up the meat while maintaining its natural crispness without becoming too tough. As for cuttlefish, due to its thick meat, the boiling time can be extended to 6-8 minutes. However, you should observe carefully; when the squid meat turns from translucent white to opaque white and the surface slightly sears, it can be removed immediately.

Importantly, do not cover the pot while boiling and only add the squid when the water is boiling vigorously. This helps the squid cook quickly, retain its moisture, and preserve its fresh flavor.

2. Suggestions for boiling squid deliciously

To ensure your boiled squid is not only tender but also fragrant and appealing, you can combine boiling squid with a few readily available ingredients like lemongrass, guava leaves, or white wine and vinegar.

2.1. Boiling squid with lemongrass

Lemongrass is a common ingredient that effectively removes fishy odors and imparts a pleasant aroma to dishes. When boiling squid with lemongrass, the refreshing scent of lemongrass lightly infuses into each strand of squid meat, creating a harmonious and palatable dish.

Here are the simple steps for boiling squid with lemongrass:

• After cleaning the squid, drain it. Lightly smash a few stalks of lemongrass and add them to the boiling water along with a pinch of salt.
• When the water is boiling vigorously, add the squid and boil for about 3-5 minutes. You can also cut a kumquat in half and add it to the pot.
• Once the squid is just cooked, remove it immediately to maintain its crispness. Then, dip it in ginger fish sauce or green chili salt.

2.2. Boiling squid with guava leaves

Boiling squid with guava leaves not only helps remove the fishy smell but also keeps the squid meat white and crisp after boiling. Guava leaves are warm, have a mild aroma, and contain many beneficial compounds for health, aiding digestion, lowering cholesterol, and stabilizing blood sugar. When combined with squid, guava leaves not only mask the natural fishy smell but also keep the squid meat white, crispy, and much more fragrant.

Here’s how to boil squid with guava leaves:

• Clean fresh squid thoroughly, removing internal organs, ink sacs, eyes, and the thin outer skin. Marinate the squid with a little white wine and salt for 5 minutes to make it crisp and effectively remove odors.
• Select young guava leaves, wash them thoroughly with diluted salt water, then drain. Gently crush them and add them to the boiling water.
• Boil the water with the guava leaves. You can add a few slices of ginger or lemongrass to enhance the aroma. When the water boils vigorously, add the squid and boil for 3-5 minutes.
• Once the squid is just cooked, remove it to cool naturally or immerse it in ice water to increase its crispness.

2.3. Boiling squid with white wine and vinegar

If you want to completely eliminate the fishy smell of squid and keep the cooking liquid clear, try boiling squid with white wine and vinegar. Here’s how to boil squid with vinegar and white wine:

• Mix 1-2 tablespoons of white wine and 1 tablespoon of vinegar into the boiling water. Add a little MSG and sugar.
• Add a few slices of ginger or lemongrass to enhance the aroma.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, add the squid, and boil until the squid turns white and the meat firms up, then turn off the heat. Remove immediately when the squid is just cooked to maintain tenderness and sweetness.

3. Some delicious dishes from boiled squid

With its natural sweetness and characteristic chewy, crispy texture, boiled squid can be combined with many different ingredients to create creative dishes, suitable for both family meals and small home parties. Here are some delicious boiled squid dish suggestions you shouldn’t miss:

• Boiled squid with ginger fish sauce: This is the simplest way to enjoy boiled squid, yet it’s enough to fully appreciate the fresh, delicious flavor of the squid. Once cooked to perfection, the squid will be opaque white, crispy but not tough, then sliced into bite-sized rounds. Prepare the ginger fish sauce by mixing minced garlic, chili, pounded ginger, lime juice, and sugar to taste.

• Squid salad is a refreshing, colorful appetizer that creates an irresistibly attractive dish. Boil the squid until cooked, then slice or cut it into thin strips. Mix shredded green mango and carrots with the squid, adding a sweet and sour fish sauce dressing, garlic, chili, and basil. Sprinkle with crushed roasted peanuts for added richness and crunch.

• Boiled squid rolls with rice paper served with sweet and sour fish sauce or fermented anchovy sauce create an unforgettable rich flavor. Slice the squid thinly and arrange it on a plate with fresh vermicelli, various herbs such as lettuce, perilla, basil, cucumber, etc.

See more: Top 5 Delicious Steamed Squid Recipes: Tender, Sweet, and Odor-Free

We hope that with the detailed sharing above, you have found the precise answer to the question “how long to boil squid” as well as suggestions for dishes made from boiled squid. If you have any further questions about squid, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below the article or contact Ola Squid for quick assistance and answers!