Delicious and Unique Stir-Fried Dried Squid with Cabbage Recipe

If you want to refresh your family menu without spending too much time, stir-fried dried squid with cabbage is a worth-trying option. The dried squid is stir-fried just right so it retains its characteristic chewy and crisp texture, combined with sweet and tender cabbage, rich and aromatic eggs, and flavorful Vietnamese ham. The ingredients blend together to create a stir-fry that is both unique in flavor and nutritious, which can be quickly completed in about 30 minutes. Join Ola Squid to check out how to make stir-fried dried squid with cabbage and a few secrets to make the squid fragrant, delicious, and free from any fishy smell or excessive toughness.

Preparing ingredients for stir-fried dried squid with cabbage

Before stepping into the kitchen, preparing the full and accurate amount of ingredients will help the dish achieve a balanced flavor from the very first cook. For a serving of 3-4 people, we need:

>>> Buy now: High-quality natural whole dried squid at Ola Squid

Guide to choosing dried squid for stir-frying

When purchasing, you can rely on the following characteristics to choose delicious dried squid:

• Characteristic aroma, free from chemical odors or musty smells
• Moderate dryness, with slight flexibility when bending the squid body
• A natural thin white powdery layer covering the surface, not artificially sprinkled powder

At Ola Squid, dried squid is selected from clean sea areas and naturally dried under a strict control process, ensuring the full retention of its sweet flavor and characteristic chewiness suitable for both stir-fried and grilled dishes.

Reference: How to choose delicious dried squid based on coastal experience

Step-by-step guide on how to make stir-fried dried squid with cabbage

Stir-fried dried squid with cabbage is quite quick to make, taking only about 25-30 minutes to have a hot plate of food served on the dinner table. The steps below are arranged in the actual cooking order, just follow each step to successfully cook this dish, even if you are entering the kitchen for the very first time.

Step 1: Preparing dried squid and cabbage

Rinse the dried squid briefly with water and soak it in warm water at about 60 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes to soften and help reduce the fishy smell. Once the squid is soft, shred or slice it into bite-sized strips. 

Wash about 300g of cabbage, let it drain, and then slice it into thin strips.

Step 2: Frying the eggs

Crack 2 chicken eggs into a bowl, add a pinch of salt, and beat well. Put a pan on the stove, wait for the pan to heat up, then add a little cooking oil and coat it evenly across the pan surface.

Next, pour in the beaten eggs, spread them into a thin and even layer, and fry over medium heat until the surface of the eggs sets. Flip the egg sheet, fry for another 20–30 seconds, then remove. Let the eggs cool slightly, roll them up, and slice them into bite-sized strips.

Step 3: Stir-frying the cabbage

Peel and finely chop 1 dried shallot. Heat the pan first, then add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, continue to add the dried shallot and sauté over medium heat until fragrant and turning light golden. 

Add 300g of sliced cabbage into the pan, turn to high heat, and stir evenly and quickly. Stir-fry the cabbage for about 2–3 minutes until it is just cooked while still maintaining its crispness. 

Season with 1/3 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of MSG, stir well so the spices absorb into the cabbage. Turn off the heat and transfer the cabbage to a separate plate.

Step 4: Stir-frying the dried squid

Heat the pan, add 150g of shredded dried squid and stir-fry separately over high heat for 1-2 minutes until just cooked and aromatic, then turn off the heat immediately to prevent the squid from becoming tough.

Step 5: Stir-frying the remaining ingredients and mixing everything together

Peel and finely chop the remaining 1 dried shallot. Add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the pan, heat it up, and sauté the dried shallot until fragrant over medium heat. Add a little finely chopped shallot and stir together.

Next, add 100g of sliced Vietnamese ham into the pan, stir gently for about 1 minute until the ham is hot and aromatic. Then add the previously stir-fried dried squid, cabbage, and sliced eggs.

Stir all ingredients evenly over medium heat for about 1–2 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of fish sauce, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of MSG. Stir gently so the seasonings absorb evenly, then taste and adjust to your liking before turning off the heat.

Step 6: Finished product and enjoyment

Arrange the dish on a plate, sprinkle some chopped coriander on top. The cabbage is cooked while still retaining its crispness, and the dried squid is firm and moderately chewy. The ingredients are mixed evenly, have a moderate savory taste, and are not watery. 

Tips for making stir-fried dried squid with cabbage delicious and non-fishy

Many home cooks face difficulties in removing the fishy smell of dried squid or making the squid tough and chewy after stir-frying. A few minor tips below will help overcome these common problems.

• Soak the squid in warm water mixed with white wine and crushed ginger to effectively eliminate the fishy smell
• Do not soak the squid in boiling water to avoid making it mushy and losing its natural chewiness
• Stir-fry the squid over high heat, operating quickly so the squid does not become tough and hard
• Stir-fry the squid, cabbage, and other ingredients separately, and only mix them together in the final step
• Season near the end of the stir-frying process to maintain the crunchiness and green color of the cabbage

Besides stir-frying with cabbage, dried squid can also be adapted with many other vegetables. The method of making stir-fried dried squid with dried radish follows a similar principle: soak the squid until soft, stir-fry each ingredient separately, and then mix them together in the final step to keep the crispness of the radish and the moderate chewiness of the squid.

Check out the must-try collection of stir-fried dried squid recipes:

• Suggestions for 7 delicious stir-fried dried squid dishes that everyone loves
• How to cook savory and easy-to-make stir-fried dried squid with kohlrabi at home
• How to make delicious, chewy, and authentic stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid at home
• How to make deliciously chewy and authentic stir-fried dried squid with fresh bamboo shoots at home
• How to prepare incredibly fragrant and super delicious stir-fried dried squid with pineapple

Frequently asked questions about stir-fried dried squid with cabbage

How long can stir-fried dried squid with cabbage be stored?

The dish should be consumed within the day to fully retain its delicious flavor and the crispness of the cabbage. If stored in the refrigerator compartment, it can last up to 1 day; when reheating for consumption, use a pan instead of a microwave to prevent the squid from becoming tough.

Can cabbage be replaced with other vegetables?

Absolutely yes. Besides cabbage, stir-fried dried squid can be combined with radish, kohlrabi, or celery depending on family preferences. Each type of vegetable brings a different crispness and sweetness, but the principle of stir-frying separately – mixing later should still be maintained.

Is eating stir-fried dried squid with cabbage fattening?

This dish is not too high in calories if prepared with a moderate amount of oil. Dried squid is rich in protein and low in fat, combined with high-fiber cabbage, making it suitable for a balanced daily diet, even for those who are losing weight.

The method of making stir-fried dried squid with cabbage does not require complicated techniques, you just need to choose the right quality dried squid and master the order of stir-frying each ingredient. With the above recipe, your family meal will have another dish that is both novel and easy to make, suitable for both weekdays and weekends.

If you haven’t found a source of delicious, clean, and standard dried squid to make this dish, Ola Squid is a reliable address with dried squid products carefully selected from clean sea areas. Visit olasquid.com right now to choose high-quality dried squid, ready for delicious family meals every day.