The Secret to Delicious Grilled Dried Squid at Home

Grilled Dried Squid is a favorite dish of many people, especially when enjoyed with friends during gatherings. Grilled dried squid is chewy, sweet, and fragrant, offering an irresistible, rich flavor. However, not everyone knows how to achieve evenly cooked squid that isn’t burnt while retaining its natural sweetness. Let’s discover delicious ways to grill dried squid right at home in this article!

1. Delicious Ways to Grill Dried Squid at Home

1.1. Grilling Dried Squid with 90-degree Alcohol

Ingredients and tools needed:

• Dried squid: about 1-2 pieces (depending on serving size).
• 90-degree medical alcohol
• Grilling rack, heat-resistant stainless steel tray/plate, or an old pan.
• Lighter, long chopsticks, newspaper, or thick paper towels.

Here’s how to grill delicious dried squid with alcohol:

• Step 1: Separate the tentacles and body of the squid if necessary, as the tentacles cook faster. Place the squid on the rack or metal tray.
• Step 2: Pour enough alcohol into the bottom of the plate or tray to cover the underside of the squid. You can let the alcohol lightly soak into the squid for 1-2 minutes to make grilling easier and more fragrant.
• Step 3: Use the lighter to ignite the alcohol. When the flame flares up, quickly flip the squid with long chopsticks or gently rotate the grilling rack to ensure even cooking on all sides. Watch carefully to flip in time and avoid burning.
• Step 4: When the squid curls slightly, turns golden brown, and emits a fragrant aroma, it is done. Grilling time is about 3-4 minutes, depending on the thickness of the squid.
• Step 5: Wrap the grilled squid in newspaper and gently pound it with a mallet or a heavy object to soften it and loosen the fibers, making it easier to tear and more enjoyable to eat.
• Step 6: Tear the squid into bite-sized strips and remove the tough backbone if present.

1.2. Grilling Dried Squid with a Gas Stove

Prepare the ingredients:

• Dried squid: 1-2 pieces as needed.
• Gas stove.
• Heat-resistant grilling rack.
• Kitchen scissors, long chopsticks, or tongs.

Here is the process for grilling dried squid with a gas stove:

• Step 1: Separate the head and body of the squid before grilling to better control the cooking, as the tentacles are usually thicker and require more time to cook evenly.
• Step 2: Place the grilling rack on the gas stove and use a low flame to prevent the squid from burning, charring, or acquiring a gas odor.

• Step 3: Place the squid on the rack and grill each part, flipping regularly to ensure even cooking on both sides. Avoid placing it too close to the flame. Observe carefully; when the squid turns golden brown and smells fragrant, it is done.
• Step 4: After grilling, you can wrap the squid in foil or a clean cloth and gently pound it with a hard object to make it softer and easier to tear and chew.
• Step 5: Cut or tear the squid into bite-sized pieces. This dish is best enjoyed with spicy chili sauce or salt and lemon, depending on your preference.

See more: How to make dried squid and 15 delicious dishes from dried squid

1.3. Grilling Dried Squid with an Air Fryer

Ingredients needed:

• 1 dried squid (or more depending on serving size).
• Air fryer.
• Kitchen scissors.
• Cooking oil: 1-2 teaspoons (optional).
• Seasoning for marinating: pepper, salt, chili powder, or satay (if you like a richer flavor).

How to grill delicious dried squid with an air fryer:

• Step 1: Rinse the dried squid with water to remove dirt and white powder. Let it drain completely before placing it in the air fryer. You can cut the squid into pieces of suitable size if it’s too large.
• Step 2: If you want to enhance the flavor, you can marinate the squid with a little cooking oil and your favorite seasonings for about 15-20 minutes. This step helps the squid become more tender and flavorful after grilling.
• Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C for 3-5 minutes to warm up the basket.
• Step 4: Arrange the squid in the air fryer basket without overlapping so that the heat distributes evenly. Air fry for about 5-7 minutes at 180-200°C. During this time, you should flip the squid to ensure both sides are evenly golden and not dry or burnt.
• Step 5: When the squid turns dark golden and smells fragrant, it is cooked. Remove the squid, let it cool slightly, then tear or cut it into bite-sized pieces.

1.4. Grilling Dried Squid with a Charcoal Grill

Prepare the ingredients:

• Dried squid: quantity as per serving size.
• Charcoal grill.
• Stainless steel or rust-proof steel grilling rack.
• Scissors or knife, grilling tongs.

Here are the steps for grilling dried squid with a charcoal grill:

• Clean the squid by wiping or lightly rinsing with water, then drain. Also, clean the grilling rack to ensure food safety.
• Light the charcoal until it burns brightly and turns into glowing embers without smoke. The heat from the charcoal will help the squid cook slowly and retain its natural sweetness.
• Place the squid on the rack and grill directly over the charcoal. Flip regularly to prevent the edges from burning and ensure even cooking from the outside in. Observe carefully; when the squid turns dark golden and has a characteristic aroma, it is cooked.
• Remove the squid from the grill, let it cool slightly, then cut or tear it into bite-sized pieces. If you want softer squid, you can gently pound it with a mallet or roll it in paper and press lightly.
• Grilled squid with charcoal has a distinctive aroma and natural sweetness, perfect for dipping in spicy chili sauce, tomato sauce, or served with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs.

1.5. Grilling Delicious Dried Squid with an Oven

Here are the detailed steps for grilling dried squid with an oven:

• Wipe clean or lightly rinse the dried squid to remove dust and white powder. Let it drain completely before grilling.
• Preheat the oven to 200°C to ensure the squid cooks quickly and evenly.
• Place the squid flat on the baking tray. You can use a rack to press down on it to prevent the body from curling when exposed to heat. Place the tray in the oven and grill for about 1 minute.
• After 1 minute, flip the squid and grill the other side for another 1 minute. When both sides are evenly golden and fragrant, it can be removed from the oven.
• Let the squid cool slightly, then tear or cut it into bite-sized pieces. Oven-grilled squid is fragrant and sweet; it tastes even better with spicy chili sauce or salt and lemon.

Additionally, you can refer to how to grill squid with a microwave – a quick and convenient method that still preserves its delicious flavor.

See more: How to grill squid with a microwave

2. How to Make a Delicious Dipping Sauce for Grilled Dried Squid

A plate of grilled dried squid becomes complete with the perfect dipping sauce. The secret lies in choosing fresh ingredients and balancing the seasoning proportions to enhance the rich and delicious flavor of the dish. Here are some popular and easy-to-make dipping sauce recipes that are sure to be addictive:

• Tamarind fish sauce: Combines the mild sourness of tamarind, the subtle sweetness of sugar, the heat from chili, and the saltiness of fish sauce. This dipping sauce has a harmonious, rich flavor, perfect with hot grilled squid.
• Mayonnaise with chili sauce: Creamy, fragrant, and easy to eat. This is a perfect choice for those who love European-style dipping sauces. Adding a little chili sauce enhances the richness and stimulates the taste buds.

• Stir-fried shrimp paste sauce: The characteristic aroma of shrimp paste, combined with spicy chili and a little sugar to balance the flavor, is incredibly addictive when eaten with grilled squid.
• Salt, pepper, and lime: A traditional dipping sauce that always retains its unique appeal. Just salt, ground pepper, lime juice, and optional fresh chili are enough to bring out the sweetness of the dried squid.
• Green chili sauce: For those who love a spicy kick, combined with fresh chili and a little kumquat juice for a mild sourness that will make your taste buds explode.

3. Tips for Choosing Delicious Dried Squid You Shouldn’t Miss

Dried squid is a familiar specialty, easy to prepare, and rich in flavor, but not everyone knows how to choose quality squid. Here are some tips for choosing delicious dried squid and ensuring it’s safe:

• Natural, uniform color: Good dried squid usually has a pinkish-white color after being properly dried. Avoid choosing squid that are too white, unnaturally shiny, or have black spots, as these may be signs of bleaching or poor preservation.
• Dry surface, not damp: A standard dried squid will be moderately dry, feel firm to the touch but not overly hard. When you touch it, you will feel dryness, with no sticky or soft sensation. This indicates mold or insufficient drying.
• Characteristic aroma, no foreign smells: Quality dried squid will have a mild, characteristic aroma of dried seafood, not fishy, chemical, or moldy. If you detect any unusual smell, reconsider your purchase.

• Prioritize clear origin: Choose squid sold at reputable establishments, large seafood markets, or well-known brands. Squid caught and dried in famous coastal areas like Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Ly Son, etc., are usually highly regarded for their freshness and hygienic drying process.

4. Reliable and Quality Dried Squid Supplier

If you are looking for a trustworthy place to buy delicious, authentic dried squid, Ola Squid is a recommendation you shouldn’t miss. This brand specializes in high-quality dried squid, meticulously selected from famous fishing grounds like Phu Quoc and Phan Thiet.

The squid at Ola Squid are not only dried and processed following strict food safety and hygiene standards but are also tightly controlled from catching to packaging. As a result, each piece of squid retains its natural sweetness and characteristic oceanic flavor.

Beyond quality, Ola Squid also commits to competitive prices and dedicated service, giving customers peace of mind when choosing products for their families or as gifts.

We hope that through the article above, you have chosen and applied a suitable method for grilling dried squid with the equipment you have at home. However, for the perfect grilled dried squid dish, delicious dried squid ingredients are the deciding factor. If you are looking for high-quality dried squid with a clear origin, contact Ola Squid today – a reputable supplier specializing in premium dried squid from Phu Quoc, Phan Thiet, etc., ensuring freshness, safety, and reasonable prices.