Dried squid
Flattened dried squid
Seasoned Shredded Squid
Dried squid snack
Tiếng Việt
ไทยFrozen squid is a convenient, easy-to-preserve ingredient that can be transformed into many delicious dishes for family meals. However, if defrosted or prepared incorrectly, squid can easily become fishy, release too much water, and turn tough. So, what is delicious to make with frozen squid and how should it be prepared to keep its crispness and sweetness? In the article below, let’s join Ola Squid to explore 10 simple recipes and some tips to help squid retain its natural crispness and sweetness.
10 delicious dishes from frozen squid to try
Depending on your taste, you can transform frozen squid into many dishes ranging from grilling, stir-frying, and steaming to soup dishes.
Grilled squid with sate sauce
Grilled squid with sate sauce stands out with its spicy, fragrant, rich flavor and firm, crispy squid texture. This is a simple dish, suitable for weekend meals or gatherings with family and friends.
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Frozen squid | 500g |
| Sate sauce | 1-2 tbsp |
| Minced garlic | 1 tsp |
| Oyster sauce | 1 tbsp |
| Sugar | 1/2 tsp |
| Ground black pepper | 1/3 tsp |
Instructions: Defrost the squid, clean, and pat completely dry, then marinate with sate sauce, garlic, oyster sauce, sugar, and pepper for about 15-20 minutes. Grill over charcoal, in an oven, or an air fryer until the squid is just cooked, the surface is slightly charred at the edges, and it releases a fragrant aroma.
Stir-fried squid with glass noodles
Stir-fried squid with glass noodles is an ideal choice for family meals, combining the sweet crispness of squid with chewy, soft glass noodles and vegetables. The dish is not overly greasy yet remains flavorful and delicious.
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Squid | 300g |
| Glass noodles | 150g |
| Carrot | 1/2 piece |
| Onion | 1/2 piece |
| Shiitake mushrooms | 50g |
| Green onions | 2 stalks |
| Oyster sauce | 1 tbsp |
Instructions: Soak the glass noodles until soft, cut to serving size; clean the squid, slice into rings, then stir-fry quickly over high heat and set aside. Continue to stir-fry the vegetables, add the glass noodles and toss well, then add the squid back in, seasoning with oyster sauce and spices to taste.
Similar delicious dish: How to make stir-fried glass noodles with dried squid, fragrant and crispy at home
Sweet and sour stir-fried squid
Sweet and sour stir-fried squid is appealing due to its balance of mild sweetness, gentle sourness, and the crispness of the squid. Pineapple, tomatoes, and bell peppers not only add color to the dish but also create a harmonious flavor.
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Squid | 400g |
| Pineapple | 150g |
| Tomato | 1 piece |
| Onion | 1/2 piece |
| Bell pepper | 1/2 piece |
| Fish sauce | 1 tbsp |
| Sugar | 1 tsp |
Instructions: Slice the squid into rings, stir-fry quickly over high heat, and set aside. Stir-fry the pineapple, tomato, onion, and bell pepper, season with fish sauce and sugar to taste, then add the squid back, tossing for another 1-2 minutes before turning off the heat.
Spicy stir-fried squid with sate sauce
If you love bold-flavored dishes, spicy stir-fried squid with sate sauce is a recommendation you shouldn’t miss. The spicy and fragrant taste of sate combined with lemongrass and garlic makes the squid dish more appealing and appetizing.
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Squid | 400g |
| Sate sauce | 1-2 tbsp |
| Lemongrass | 2 stalks |
| Garlic | 3 cloves |
| Fresh chili | 1-2 pieces |
| Green onions | 2 stalks |
| Fish sauce | 1 tsp |
Instructions: Saute minced lemongrass, garlic, and chili until fragrant, then add the sate sauce and stir well. Add the patted-dry squid, stir-fry quickly over high heat, season with fish sauce and spices, and toss until the squid is just cooked.
Stir-fried squid with celery and leeks
Stir-fried squid with celery and leeks has a mild aroma, a fresh taste, and is not overly greasy, making it highly suitable for daily meals. Celery, leeks, and onions add crispiness to the dish while highlighting the natural sweetness of the squid.
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Squid | 400g |
| Celery | 100g |
| Leek | 50g |
| Onion | 1/2 piece |
| Minced garlic | 1 tsp |
| Oyster sauce | 1 tbsp |
Instructions: Saute garlic until fragrant, add the squid to stir-fry quickly, then transfer to a plate. Stir-fry the celery, leeks, and onion until just cooked, return the squid to the pan, season with oyster sauce and spices, and toss well before turning off the heat.
Stir-fried squid with vegetables
Stir-fried squid with vegetables is both eye-catching in color and provides plenty of green vegetables for the meal. The quick preparation method helps the squid retain its crispness while the vegetables remain fresh and not overly soft.
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Squid | 400g |
| Carrot | 1/2 piece |
| Broccoli | 100g |
| Bell pepper | 1/2 piece |
| Onion | 1/2 piece |
| Oyster sauce | 1 tbsp |
| Minced garlic | 1 tsp |
Instructions: Prepare the vegetables, cut into bite-sized pieces, and lightly stir-fry to keep their crispness. Stir-fry the squid over high heat, then add the vegetables back to toss quickly with oyster sauce and spices so all ingredients are well seasoned.
Steamed squid with ginger
Steamed squid with ginger is an easy-to-make dish that doesn’t require many spices yet is still delicious thanks to the natural sweetness of the squid. Ginger and green onions help eliminate any fishy odor while creating a gentle aroma for the dish.
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Squid | 500g |
| Ginger | 1 small root |
| Green onions | 2 stalks |
| Chili | 1 piece |
| White wine | 1 tbsp |
Instructions: Clean the squid, drain, and arrange on a plate with julienned ginger and green onions. Steam for about 5 – 7 minutes depending on the size of the squid; when the squid is just cooked, remove it and serve hot with ginger fish sauce or lime salt and pepper.
Fried squid with fish sauce
Fried squid with fish sauce features a fragrant golden outer layer, evenly coated in a rich sweet and savory sauce. Sauteed garlic and chili combined with fish sauce make this dish go well with rice and highly suitable as a drinking snack.
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Squid | 400g |
| Fish sauce | 1.5 tbsp |
| Sugar | 1 tbsp |
| Minced garlic | 1 tbsp |
| Minced chili | 1/2 tsp |
| Cooking oil | Adequate amount |
Instructions: Pat the squid completely dry and fry quickly until the surface is lightly golden. Saute the garlic until fragrant, add fish sauce, sugar, and chili, cook until the sauce thickens slightly, then add the squid and toss well to coat each piece.
Squid stuffed with meat in tomato sauce
Squid stuffed with meat in tomato sauce is crispy and chewy, featuring a soft, rich meat filling and a savory tomato sauce. This dish is perfect to serve with hot rice, especially for family dinners that need a dish that is both appetizing and visually appealing.
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Whole squid | 500g |
| Minced pork | 200g |
| Wood ear mushrooms | 20g |
| Shallots | 2 pieces |
| Tomatoes | 3 pieces |
| Green onions | 2 stalks |
| Fish sauce | 1 tbsp |
Instructions: Mix the minced pork with wood ear mushrooms, shallots, green onions, and spices, then gently stuff into the squid bodies. Sear the squid until firm, then simmer with tomato sauce until the squid is cooked and the sauce thickens.
See more: Instructions for making stuffed squid with crispy, irresistibly delicious fried meat
Squid hotpot
Squid hotpot brings a mild sweetness from seafood, combined with the gentle sourness of tomato and pineapple, and the fragrant aroma of lemongrass. When eating, squid is dipped directly into the hotpot broth, cooking it just right to preserve its appealing crispness and sweetness.
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Squid | 500g |
| Tomatoes | 2 pieces |
| Pineapple | 150g |
| Lemongrass | 2 stalks |
| Assorted mushrooms | 200g |
| Hotpot vegetables | 300g |
| Broth | 1.5-2 liters |
Instructions: Cook the broth with lemongrass, tomato, and pineapple, season to taste, and add mushrooms and vegetables when eating. Slice the squid, dip directly into the hotpot, and enjoy as soon as it’s cooked to keep its crisp sweetness.
Similar delicious dish: How to cook delicious, well-rounded squid hotpot: fresh squid, sweet and clear broth
Sour squid soup with dill
Sour squid soup with dill features a mild, gently sour taste and the distinct fragrant aroma of dill. This hot soup goes exceptionally well with white rice, especially on days when you want to change your palate with a light dish.
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Squid | 300g |
| Tomatoes | 2 pieces |
| Pineapple | 100g |
| Tamarind or dracontomelon | Adequate amount |
| Dill | 1 small bunch |
| Green onions | 2 stalks |
| Water | 1-1.2 liters |
Instructions: Cook tomatoes and pineapple with water to create a natural sweetness, then add tamarind or dracontomelon to create a moderate sourness. Once the water boils, add the squid to cook quickly for about 2-3 minutes, add dill and green onions, then turn off the heat.
Similar delicious dish: How to cook sweet and sour squid soup at home for hot summer days
How to choose quality frozen squid
Delicious frozen squid not only depends on the freshness of the raw ingredients but also on how they are packaged and preserved. When buying, you can check a few simple signs to avoid purchasing squid that has been stored for too long or is of compromised quality.
- Check the packaging: Prioritize tightly sealed squid bags, with no tears, punctures, or signs of leaking. Inside, there should only be a thin layer of ice, not a thick glaze of ice frozen around the body.
- Observe the color: Good squid has a natural translucent white or ivory-white color, with no yellow patches, dark blemishes, or unusual discoloration on the surface.
- Check the smell: Quality frozen squid usually has a characteristic, mild seafood scent. If a sour, foul, or strange odor emerges upon opening the package, do not use it.
- Observe the shape: Choose squid with intact bodies that are not crushed or heavily deformed. Properly flash-frozen squid typically retains its shape relatively well after thawing.
See more: How to choose fresh, delicious squid that not everyone knows
Guide on how to thaw and prepare frozen squid correctly
Thawing correctly helps squid minimize water loss, retain its crispness, and avoid a fishy odor during cooking. After thawing, you should quickly prepare it and pat it completely dry so the squid doesn’t release too much water when cooked.
Step 1: Thawing the squid
The best way is to transfer the squid from the freezer to the refrigerator compartment and leave it for a few hours to thaw slowly. If you need to prepare it immediately, you can place the squid in a sealed bag and submerge it in cold water, avoiding hot water as high temperatures can soften the meat and ruin its freshness.
Step 2: Cleaning the squid
Once the squid is soft, gently pull the head away from the body, removing the ink sac, eyes, beak, and remaining internal organs. Rinse quickly with clean water and drain; do not soak the squid in water for too long.
Step 3: Deodorizing and drying
If the squid still has a fishy smell, you can rub it gently with crushed ginger or rinse it quickly in water mixed with a little lemon juice. Finally, use paper towels or a clean cloth to thoroughly pat dry the moisture on the body before slicing and cooking.
Tips for cooking frozen squid without being fishy or tough
If frozen squid is cooked incorrectly, it can easily release water, lose its crispness, and become tough. To make your dishes more delicious, you can apply a few simple tips below:
- Stir-fry quickly on high heat: Heat the pan well before adding the squid, then stir-fry quickly for a short duration until just cooked. Do not leave the squid in the pan too long, as prolonged heat causes the meat to shrink, turn tough, and release excess water.
- Moderate seasoning: Balance the salty and sweet flavors when marinating to make the squid rich in flavor without being too salty. For stir-fried or grilled dishes, you can marinate the squid for about 10-20 minutes to allow the spices to penetrate evenly.
- Use ginger and lemongrass to deodorize fishiness: Ginger and lemongrass have natural aromas that help neutralize fishy smells and make the dish more appealing. You can use ginger when steaming or add lemongrass and garlic to grilled and stir-fried dishes to enhance the flavor.
- Pat dry before cooking: This is a crucial step for frozen squid. The drier the squid, the easier it is to sear, grill, or stir-fry quickly, while also preventing the dish from becoming watery and losing its flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions about Frozen Squid
Is it necessary to rinse the squid again before cooking?
The answer is yes. After thawing, you should quickly rinse the squid with clean water to remove any secretions and residue left from storage. Then, pat it completely dry before marinating or preparing to minimize water release.
Why does squid turn tough and release a lot of water when cooked?
Squid usually becomes tough when cooked for too long or at a low temperature, causing the flesh to contract and lose its natural tenderness. For stir-fried dishes, heat the pan, use high heat, and stir-fry quickly until the squid is just done; additionally, pat dry the squid before cooking to limit water release.
Can frozen squid be used for salad dishes?
Ordinary frozen squid should not be used to make salads or raw dishes unless the product is specifically designated as suitable for this purpose. If you wish to consume it raw, you should select squid of clear origin, processed and stored according to standards for raw consumption to reduce the risk of bacterial infection and parasites.
Hopefully, the sharing above has helped you answer what is delicious to make with frozen squid and know how to select, thaw, and cook squid correctly to preserve its crisp-tender sweetness. If you want to find out more about high-quality dried squid products with clear origins, please refer to Ola Squid to choose the perfect products for your family meals!
