What to cook with egg squid? 10+ easy recipe ideas for family meals

Egg squid (or baby squid) is a favorite seafood dish for many families thanks to its crispy, sweet flesh combined with the rich, creamy egg sac inside. However, many homemakers still wonder what delicious dishes can be made from egg squid or how to prepare egg squid without it becoming tough and fishy.

If you want to change the flavor of your family meal or find an enticing drinking snack for the weekend, join Ola Squid to discover the secrets of choosing and the list of delicious, simple, and easy-to-make dishes from egg squid right below!

Tips for choosing and preparing delicious egg squid without a fishy odor

To get a perfectly delicious and flavorful plate of egg squid, the ingredients and preparation play a decisive role up to 80% of the success. Whether you apply the method of making egg squid by steaming, frying, or grilling, please keep the following in mind.

How to identify fresh egg squid

Fresh and delicious egg squid will bring a rich and creamy flavor. When going to the market or choosing seafood, you can identify quality egg squid through the following characteristics:

• Color: Fresh squid has a characteristic reddish-brown skin that is shiny and not bruised or discolored. The small dots on the squid’s body are sharp and evenly cover the entire body.
• Elasticity: Press gently on the squid’s body with your hand. If the squid flesh is firm, highly elastic, and immediately returns to its original shape, it is freshly caught. Avoid choosing those with soft, mushy, or pale bodies.
• Scent: Fresh squid will have a natural sea scent, slightly salty. If the squid has a strong foul odor, chemical smell, or a strong stale smell, do not buy it.
• Egg ratio: Choose squids that are plump and round, with a full abdomen containing a lot of eggs.

Steps to prepare egg squid

Preparing egg squid requires more skill than regular squid to avoid breaking the egg sac inside. Please follow the correct sequence below:

• Step 1 – Gentle rinsing: Rinse the squid gently under running water to remove external sand and dirt.

• Step 2 – Removing the ink sac and eyes: Gently pull the squid tentacles out of the body. Skillfully remove the black ink sac and squid eyes and discard them. When doing this, you need to be very gentle to avoid breaking the ink sac, which will stain the meat, and to prevent the eggs inside the belly from falling out.

• Step 3 – Pulling out the backbone: Grasp the squid cuttlebone (the thin, white plastic-like backbone) and gently pull it out.

• Step 4 – Rinsing again: Rinse the inside of the squid body cleanly once more and let it drain.

Tips for deodorizing fishy smell with ginger, white wine, or salt

Seafood meat usually has a natural fishy smell; if not treated carefully, it will reduce the deliciousness of the dish. You can apply the following simple tips to thoroughly deodorize the fishy smell of the squid:

• Using white wine and ginger: Crush a knob of fresh ginger, mix it with about 2 tablespoons of white wine. Put the squid in and gently massage it for about 1 – 2 minutes, then rinse it with clean water. This method not only deodorizes but also makes the squid meat more fragrant and crispier.
• Using salt and lemon/vinegar: Gently rub the squid with a little coarse salt and a few drops of lemon juice. The friction of the salt along with the acid in the lemon will clean the slime and eliminate the unpleasant odor.

10+ delicious egg squid dishes easy to make at home

If you are wondering what delicious dishes to make with egg squid to change up your daily menu, there are many simple preparation methods from frying, steaming, stir-frying, grilling, to simmering or making hotpot. Each method helps the egg squid bring a unique flavor, from rich, fragrant, and creamy to light, preserving its full natural sweetness. Below are delicious egg squid dishes that are easy to make for your reference.

Fried egg squid with fish sauce – rich and appetizing

Fried egg squid with fish sauce is a familiar choice for family meals because the preparation is not too elaborate but the flavor is highly appetizing. After being cleaned and drained, the squid is lightly fried to a golden hue to firm up the body and release a fragrant aroma. Then, the squid is tossed with a mixture of fish sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and chili until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the outside.

The finished product has an attractive golden-brown color and the characteristic aroma of fish sauce and fried garlic. When eaten, the outer squid layer is slightly chewy, while the inside remains soft, sweet, and rich thanks to the eggs. This dish is best served hot with white rice, cucumbers, or fresh herbs to balance the rich flavor.

Fried egg squid with piper lolot leaves – unique and delicious

If you are used to regular fried squid dishes, fried egg squid with piper lolot leaves is a variation worth trying. The squid is fried just until cooked to retain its sweetness, then combined with shredded piper lolot leaves and quickly fried over high heat.

When exposed to hot oil, the piper lolot leaves release a characteristic aroma, blending with the sweetness and richness of the egg squid. The leaves become slightly crispy and fragrant, while the squid maintains its tenderness and juiciness. This dish can be served as a savory option for meals or a light snack for family and friends gatherings.

Fried egg squid with butter and garlic – rich and fragrant

Fried egg squid with butter and garlic is suitable for those who love rich, creamy flavors but still want a simple preparation. After cleaning, the squid is quickly fried or pan-seared until firm. Next, sauté the garlic with butter until fragrant, then add the squid and toss evenly so the sauce coats each piece.

The rich aroma of butter combined with golden fried garlic creates an inviting scent, highlighting the natural sweetness of the egg squid. You can add a little ground pepper, chili, or cilantro to make the dish more flavorful. When eating, the squid meat is soft yet chewy, and the squid eggs are rich and buttery, perfect for serving while still hot.

See more: Revealing the method of making aromatic fried squid with butter and garlic that everyone loves

Crispy fried egg squid

Crispy fried egg squid never goes out of style. After being cleaned and thoroughly drained, the squid is coated with a thin layer of crispy frying batter, then fried in hot oil until the outer skin turns a beautiful golden color.

The appeal of the dish lies in the contrast between the super crispy outer crust and the soft, sweet squid inside. The rich and buttery egg portion gives the dish a richer flavor compared to regular squid. Crispy fried egg squid is served with chili sauce, ketchup, or mayonnaise depending on your preference.

Steamed egg squid with beer – preserving natural sweetness

If you want to find a method of preparing egg squid that limits the use of cooking oil, steaming with beer is a suitable suggestion. After preparation, the squid is arranged in a pot with lemongrass, ginger, and an adequate amount of beer. When steaming, the heat along with the aroma of the beer and spices helps to eliminate the fishy odor while cooking the squid quickly.

Steamed egg squid with beer is best when just cooked through, the body of the squid is firm but not dry or tough. The egg inside still retains its rich, buttery texture and natural sweetness. You can enjoy the dish with lemon pepper salt, green chili salt, or ginger fish sauce to enhance the flavor.

See more: How to make crispy, sweet steamed squid with beer without a fishy smell at home

Steamed egg squid with scallions and ginger – easy to make

Steamed egg squid with scallions and ginger is a light dish, perfect when you want a change of taste from oily fried dishes. The squid is cleaned and then steamed with shredded ginger, green scallions, and a bit of seasoning. During the steaming process, ginger helps create a warm aroma while reducing the characteristic fishy smell of seafood.

The finished dish features ivory-white, plump squid bodies, filled with rich and buttery eggs inside. The scallions and ginger add aroma without overpowering the natural sweetness of the squid. This dish is served hot with rice or eaten separately with ginger fish sauce or lemon pepper salt. If you like it spicy, you can add a few slices of fresh chili when steaming.

See more: How to prepare simple yet irresistibly delicious steamed squid with scallions

Stir-fried egg squid with celery and garlic – rice puller

Stir-fried egg squid with celery and garlic is a familiar dish with quick preparation, perfect for busy days. The squid is cleaned and quickly blanched in hot water or stir-fried separately to remove excess water. Then, stir-fry the squid over high heat with celery, onions, leeks, and some seasonings.

The dish is delicious when the squid is just cooked through, maintaining its crispy sweetness without being tough. Celery and onions still have a light crunch, balancing the soft, rich squid. The aroma of garlic makes the dish more appealing and pairs perfectly with hot rice.

See more: How to make delicious stir-fried squid with celery and garlic without a fishy smell

Stir-fried egg squid with pineapple – balanced sweet and sour

Stir-fried egg squid with pineapple is a harmonious combination between the sweet, rich flavor of the squid and the characteristic sweet and sour taste of the pineapple. Some ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, or celery are added to give the dish more color and diverse flavor.

The squid is stir-fried quickly, then pineapple and other vegetables are added and tossed together. When cooked just right, pineapple will release its natural sweet and sour juice, helping to balance the richness of the squid eggs. Tomatoes also contribute to making a light sauce, making the dish easy to eat and stimulating the taste buds.

This dish should be served hot with white rice. When preparing, you should not stir-fry the pineapple for too long because mushy pineapple will make the dish lose its deliciousness and freshness.

See more: How to make sweet and sour, super crispy stir-fried squid with pineapple at home

Grilled egg squid with chili salt – spicy and perfect for drinking sessions

Grilled egg squid with chili salt is an appealing dish for family gatherings or meeting friends. After being prepared, the squid is marinated with a mixture of salt, chili, sugar, and some other spices for about 10 – 15 minutes.

Then, the squid is grilled over charcoal, an electric stove, or in an air fryer. When cooked, the squid body firms up, the surface is slightly charred, and it releases a characteristic aroma. The salty, spicy taste of the outer seasoning layer combined with the sweet, rich flavor of the squid eggs creates a rich dish, the more you eat, the more addictive it becomes.

If using an air fryer, you should brush a thin layer of cooking oil on the squid to prevent it from drying out. It can be served with Vietnamese coriander, cucumbers, or dipped in green chili salt.

Grilled egg squid with sate sauce – rich flavor, fragrant with lemongrass and chili

Grilled egg squid with sate sauce brings a spicier and richer flavor thanks to the sate sauce combined with lemongrass, chili, and other spices. The squid is cleaned, drained, and then evenly marinated with the sate mixture before grilling.

When cooked, the squid has an eye-catching red-orange color, with the outside slightly charred creating an attractive aroma, while the inside still retains its softness and sweetness. The sate brings a warm spiciness, while the lemongrass gives the dish its characteristic aroma.

Depending on your preference, you can adjust the amount of sate and chili. If there are small children or people who cannot eat spicy food in the house, you should reduce the amount of sate to make the dish more suitable.

See more: How to make aromatic, spicy grilled squid with sate sauce just like at the restaurant

Simmered egg squid in sweet and sour tamarind sauce – thick and blending

Simmered egg squid in tamarind sauce is an ideal choice if you love dishes with rich sauces. The squid is lightly fried beforehand to firm up the body, then put in a pan with tamarind juice, sugar, fish sauce, garlic, and chili.

When cooked over medium heat, the tamarind sauce slowly condenses, becoming thick and evenly clinging around the squid body. The mild sourness of tamarind combined with the sweetness of sugar and the saltiness of fish sauce creates an appealing balance.

See more: How to make rich, irresistibly delicious simmered egg squid with fish sauce

Egg squid stuffed with bacon – unique variation, elegant

If you want to make a different egg squid dish, bacon-stuffed squid is an interesting choice. The bacon is finely chopped, combined with minced pork, onion, mushrooms, or cheese according to preference, then moderately stuffed into the squid body.

The squid after being stuffed is pan-seared, grilled, or fried until the filling inside is cooked and the outside has a beautiful golden color. The light saltiness and characteristic aroma of bacon combined with the sweetness of the squid create an interesting contrast.

Spicy and sour egg squid hotpot – perfect for rainy days

On chilly or rainy days, a steaming pot of spicy and sour egg squid hotpot is an irresistible choice. The broth is cooked Thai hotpot-style with lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves, tomatoes, chili, and other spices to create a characteristic sour and spicy taste.

The egg squid is cleaned, left whole or cut into bite-sized pieces, then dipped directly into the boiling hotpot. Just cook until the squid is just done so the meat retains its tenderness, crispiness, and natural sweetness.

In addition to egg squid, you can prepare shrimp, clams, mushrooms, water spinach, napa cabbage, tofu, and fresh rice vermicelli. The spicy and sour taste of the hotpot broth combined with the rich, sweet squid makes for a meal that is both delicious and perfect for the whole family to gather around.

See more: How to cook delicious and flavorful squid hotpot

Notes when preparing egg squid to prevent it from being tough and fishy

Even though egg squid is very easy to prepare, if you do not understand some rules of temperature and cooking time, the squid can easily become tough, dry, or lose its inherent sweetness. Please pocket the tips below from Ola Squid:

Do not overcook to maintain tenderness and sweetness

Squid meat is mainly composed of firm protein fibers. When exposed to high temperatures for too long, these fibers will shrink, making the squid tough, dry, and losing all its natural sweet juices. You should cook the squid over high heat and carefully monitor the cooking time to ensure it is just cooked through.

Season just enough, avoiding overpowering the natural sweetness of the squid

Egg squid has a light salty taste of the sea and a natural sweet richness from the eggs. Therefore, you should only marinate with a moderate amount of seasoning (such as a bit of seasoning powder, pepper, garlic) and let it marinate for about 10 – 15 minutes before cooking. Over-seasoning will make the ingredients lose their characteristic flavor.

Appropriate cooking times for each preparation method

For the squid to retain its crispy texture on the outside and soft richness on the inside, you should adhere to the standard cooking times for each method:

• Steaming: 5 – 10 minutes counted from the moment the water in the pot boils vigorously. You should not steam for more than 10 minutes as the squid will release water and shrink.
• Stir-frying: 30 seconds to 2 minutes over high heat. You should blanch the squid quickly or sear it beforehand, then stir-fry the vegetables first, and finally add the squid, toss quickly, and turn off the heat.
• Frying: 3 – 5 minutes for each frying batch in a pan filled with hot oil so that the outer skin becomes crispy and golden while the inside does not dry out.
• Grilling: 8 – 15 minutes depending on whether you use a charcoal grill, an air fryer, or an oven. You should brush a thin layer of cooking oil on the squid body to prevent it from drying out or burning.

We hope that with the shares above from Ola Squid, you have found the answer to the question what to make with egg squid and feel confident to show off your cooking skills with enticing, delicious dishes for your family. If you love the rich flavors of sea squids and want to explore more delicious dishes from dried squid to change up your meals, Ola Squid currently provides a wide range of quality dried squid lines at olasquid.com. Visit Ola Squid to refer to more suggestions for preparing squid, in addition to the 13 egg squid dishes introduced above!