Many home cooks and office workers enjoy eating grilled dried squid but are put off by the smoky smell or don’t have a charcoal grill at home. Grilling squid in a microwave is the perfect quick and clean solution — just a few minutes is all it takes to have a delicious snack or drinking bite ready to enjoy. The article below from Ola Squid provides detailed step-by-step instructions, along with tips to prevent the squid from becoming tough or burnt. All you need is a microwave with a Grill mode and you can easily do it at home.

Summary of content

Preparing Ingredients and Equipment Before Grilling

Before starting, choosing the right ingredients and having the necessary equipment ready largely determines the quality of the dish. Even with the correct technique, low-quality dried squid is difficult to achieve the ideal chewy tenderness and natural flavor. So this step should not be skipped even if you’re in a hurry.

Ingredients and equipment to prepare before grilling squid

Ingredient	Quantity
Dried squid	1–2 pieces (about 150–200g)
Warm water for soaking	200ml
Chili sauce or chili-lime salt	To taste

Equipment needed:

A microwave with Grill mode or a grilling function
Aluminum foil or a heat-resistant dish designed for microwave use
Heat-resistant gloves for safely removing the squid
Tongs or long chopsticks

How to Grill Dried Squid in a Microwave

Grilling dried squid in a microwave isn’t difficult, but it does require following the correct steps and managing the timing carefully to ensure the squid cooks evenly without burning. Unlike traditional charcoal grilling which requires constant fire monitoring, grilling squid in a microwave allows for more precise heat control through preset power levels. This makes it easy even for beginners without worrying about burning. Here is a simple 6-step process that anyone can follow.

Step 1 – Prepare the Dried Squid

Dried squid purchased from the store is usually quite firm, so it needs to be soaked briefly before grilling to soften the flesh and prevent it from becoming too tough to chew after cooking.

Soak the squid in warm water for about 2–3 minutes to soften
Use a clean cloth to pat away excess moisture from the squid body
Cut into bite-sized pieces or leave whole according to preference

Soak dried squid in warm water for about 2–3 minutes before grilling to soften it

Step 2 – Place Squid on a Rack or Wrap in Foil

After preparation, place the squid on a microwave-safe grilling rack or wrap it neatly in aluminum foil. Aluminum foil helps retain moisture during grilling, limiting the squid flesh from drying out too quickly.

After preparation, place the squid in foil and wrap it up

Step 3 – Select Grill Mode / Power Level

Turn on the microwave using Grill mode or the grilling function, and set the power to a medium level of 600–700W for 1.5–2 minutes. This power level is sufficient to cook the squid gradually without burning the surface.

Select Grill mode to grill squid for 1.5–2 minutes

See more: How to grill dried squid on a gas stove without the gas smell

Step 4 – Flip and Check for Even Cooking

Flip the squid to the other side and continue grilling at medium power of 600–700W for another 1.5–2 minutes. Watch for the squid to turn a light golden color with the body slightly curling — these are signs that both sides are evenly cooked.

Check and flip the squid for even cooking without burning

Step 5 – Shred the Squid After Grilling

After grilling, lightly pound the squid with a pestle or the back of a knife to tenderize the flesh, then shred into bite-sized strips. This step makes the squid easier to chew and helps it absorb the dipping sauce better.

Pounding the squid before shredding helps soften it and makes shredding easier

Step 6 – Finish and Enjoy

Grilled squid is best enjoyed immediately while still hot, when it retains its natural chewy tenderness. You can serve it with chili sauce, chili-lime salt, or sambal according to your preference to enhance the rich flavor.

Grilled squid can be served with chili sauce to enhance the flavor

See more: How to make beer-paired grilled dried squid that outshines any party spread

Tips for Grilling Squid in a Microwave to Keep It Tender, Not Tough

Many people find that squid grilled in the microwave turns out too tough or overly dry, and the main culprit is usually inaccurate timing. Different microwave models have varying actual output power even at the same setting, so it’s important to adjust flexibly based on your specific unit.

Don't grill squid in the microwave too long to avoid it becoming tough and hard — Don’t grill squid in the microwave too long to avoid it becoming tough and hard

Beyond timing, how you retain moisture in the squid during grilling also greatly affects the texture. Here are some tips to help achieve the perfectly tender grilled squid.

Don’t grill too long — this easily makes the dried squid tough and causes it to lose its natural sweetness
Use aluminum foil to wrap the squid tightly to retain moisture and limit rapid evaporation
Adjust the time based on the power output of your microwave — higher-wattage units should use a shorter grilling time
Check the squid every 30 seconds during the first attempt to calibrate the ideal timing for your microwave

See now:

How to Choose Good Dried Squid for Grilling

When selecting squid at a market or store, buyers should carefully observe the external characteristics to avoid purchasing low-quality or old squid. Ola Squid suggests some identification criteria for choosing good dried squid as follows:

The squid body should be dry and not sticky when held
A characteristic aroma of dried seafood with no strange or musty smell
The back of the squid is light pink with natural tiny white dots
A natural powdery coating on the body that is smooth and even without blotchy patches

Quality dried squid has a light pink color with tiny white dots on the body

Safety Notes When Using a Microwave to Grill Squid

Alongside managing timing and power levels, safety when using the microwave is also an important factor to keep in mind. Some small actions can be dangerous if overlooked, especially in households with young children.

Clean the microwave after grilling to prevent lingering squid odor

Do not use metal utensils in a standard microwave — only use them if your microwave specifically supports Grill mode with metal accessories
Wear heat-resistant gloves when removing the squid from the microwave to avoid burns
Open the microwave door slowly to avoid hot steam rising directly toward your face
Clean the microwave after grilling to prevent the fishy smell from lingering for future uses

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grill dried squid in a microwave?

It typically takes about 3–4 minutes for both sides, depending on the thickness of the squid and the power of the microwave.

Do I need to soak the squid in water before grilling?

It is recommended to briefly soak the squid in warm water for 2–3 minutes to soften the flesh, helping the dish avoid becoming tough after grilling.

Do I need to use aluminum foil when grilling squid in a microwave?

Aluminum foil helps retain moisture in the squid and limits drying out, but it is not mandatory if the microwave has a dedicated grilling rack.

Grilling squid in a microwave is a quick and clean method for anyone who wants to enjoy grilled squid at home without a charcoal grill. With just a few simple steps and a few small tips on timing and power, you can easily produce a batch of tender, aromatic grilled squid. If you’re looking for a source of quality dried squid that is clean and full of natural flavor, you can explore the products at olasquid.com — a reputable dried squid supplier trusted by many Vietnamese families. Visit Ola Squid today to choose the finest squid for your weekend snacking.

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