How to Make Sweet & Tender Beer-Steamed Squid at Home (No Fishy Taste)

Steamed squid with beer is a dish loved by many for its fresh, rich flavor and simple yet nutritious preparation. The squid retains its natural crispness and sweetness, combined with the distinctive aroma of beer, creating an irresistible delicacy, especially suitable for family gatherings or weekend drinking sessions. So, let’s explore how to make lemongrass steamed squid with beer that isn’t fishy and retains the squid’s natural sweetness in this detailed article!

1. Benefits of using beer when steaming squid

Beer is not only a popular beverage but also an ideal ingredient in seafood preparation, especially steamed squid with beer. Thanks to its unique properties, beer offers many benefits when combined in the steaming process of squid:

• Natural deodorization: The light yeasty aroma and mild acidity of beer effectively neutralize the fishy smell of squid without the need for vinegar or strong alcohol. When steamed, the beer vapor permeates the squid, releasing a pleasant natural fragrance.
• Maintaining squid’s tenderness and crispness: The natural enzymes in beer help to tenderize the squid meat naturally, preventing it from becoming mushy while retaining its characteristic chewy and crisp texture.
• Enhancing unique flavor: Beer creates a fresh aroma layer, making the dish both rich and complex in flavor. The subtle aroma of beer blends perfectly with spices like lemongrass, ginger, and kaffir lime leaves.
• Good for digestion: Beneficial compounds in beer, such as polyphenols and enzymes, help stimulate digestion, creating a feeling of lightness and improving appetite.
• Aiding even spice penetration: The steaming process with beer helps spices to spread better, penetrating deep into each strand of squid, delivering a harmonious flavor.
• Increasing aesthetic appeal: Steamed squid with beer often has a brighter, more appealing color, making it perfect for serving at parties or special occasions.

2. Ingredients needed to make steamed squid with beer

To make delicious and authentic lemongrass steamed squid with beer, you need to prepare the following fresh and simple ingredients:

• 500g fresh squid
• 1 can of beer
• 2-3 stalks of lemongrass, ½ ginger root, 1 chili, ½ lime
• Seasonings including sugar, fish sauce, seasoning powder

3. How to make delicious steamed squid with beer

Preparing steamed squid with beer may seem simple, but to ensure the dish remains crisp, sweet, fragrant, and not fishy, you need to follow the correct technique from the preparation stage to steaming and making the dipping sauce. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide:

• Step 1 – Prepare the ingredients:
  • After removing the ink sac, eyes, scraping off the slimy outer skin, and cleaning out the insides, you should keep the tentacles attached to the body for a visually appealing presentation when served.
  • Use a mixture of white wine and crushed ginger (or diluted saltwater) to rub the squid body evenly, then rinse with clean water and drain.
  • Use a sharp knife to lightly score the squid body horizontally a few times without cutting through, which helps the squid cook evenly and look more attractive when plated.
  • Crush and cut the lemongrass into sections; divide the ginger into two parts, slice half thinly and crush the other half to release its essential oils evenly during steaming.
• Step 2 – Marinate the squid: For frozen squid, you should lightly marinate it with crushed ginger, a few slices of lemongrass, and a little white wine for about 10-15 minutes to enhance its flavor and reduce any fishiness. If using very fresh squid, you can steam it immediately without marinating to preserve its natural sweetness.
• Step 3 – Steam the squid with beer:

• • Boil about 1 can of beer at the bottom of the pot, you can add a little water if needed.
  • Place the steamer basket on top, arrange the squid with crushed lemongrass and ginger in the basket, cover tightly, and steam for 6-10 minutes depending on the size of the squid. Note: do not steam for too long to avoid making the squid tough and dry.
  • Cooked squid will turn opaque white, the flesh will firm up, and it will release the aroma of beer mixed with ginger and lemongrass.
• Step 4 – Prepare the dipping sauce: You can mix 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, ½ teaspoon of MSG, 1 teaspoon of sugar, the juice of ½ lime, and ½ finely minced ginger with a few slices of fresh chili. Stir well until the seasonings dissolve, and you can adjust the spiciness, saltiness, and sourness to your taste.

Discover more: 3 simple ways to make delicious steamed squid that everyone will love

4. Other steamed dishes with beer combinations

If you want to refresh your palate, you can try these variations of steamed squid with beer. Each combination offers a unique flavor profile, retaining the essence of steamed squid with beer while providing a novel culinary experience:

• Squid steamed with beer and coconut milk: The blend of the squid’s mild sweetness and the richness of coconut milk creates a dish that is both light and creamy.

Discover more: How to make authentic and tender dried squid steamed with coconut milk

• Squid steamed with beer and five-spice powder: A touch of creativity with five-spice powder brings a distinctive flavor. This dish has a characteristic, rich aroma, perfect for cozy meals or special occasions.
• Squid steamed with beer, garlic, and chili: This dish is for spice lovers. Garlic and chili are added during steaming not only to eliminate fishiness but also to create an alluring aroma and provide a more stimulating taste experience.

With these detailed instructions on how to make steamed squid with beer, we hope you can now create this delicious and healthy dish for your family. To discover more exciting information about dried squid specifically and squid in general, don’t forget to visit the website olasquid.com today!

Explore further: How long should squid be boiled to avoid toughness?

Looking for high-quality dried squid products? Visit our Shop for a wide selection of delicious options. For the best deals, check out our Home page! You can also explore specific categories like Dried Squid Snacks, Flattened Dried Squid, and Whole Dried Squid.