How to Make Sweet & Sour Grapefruit Salad with Shrimp

Pomelo salad with shrimp and squid is a delicate combination of the fresh sweetness of pomelo, the crisp freshness of seafood and the light, cooling aroma of herbs, creating a dish that is both eye-catching and enticing. It is not only an ideal appetizer for light gatherings, it also brings a refreshing, pleasant feeling on hot days. If you are looking for a delicious, easy-to-make and colorful dish that is good for your health, let’s join Ola Squid to discover how to make pomelo salad with shrimp and squid in the authentic way right at home below!

Why is pomelo salad with dried squid and shrimp loved by so many people?

It is no coincidence that pomelo salad with dried squid and shrimp has become a “signature” dish on the menu of many families, restaurants and light parties. This dish scores points thanks to:

• Harmonious, well-rounded flavor: Each juicy, tangy pomelo segment combines with sweet fresh shrimp and shredded grilled dried squid that is chewy and fragrant. When blended with the sweet and sour salad dressing, the dish creates a burst of flavor from the very first bite.
• An ideal appetizer: Its refreshing, easy-to-digest quality that never feels heavy makes this salad an ideal appetizer on hot summer days or on occasions that call for a light yet still appealing dish.

The dish is enticing thanks to the harmonious blend of sour, sweet, spicy and crunchy flavors from the seafood

Ingredients needed to make pomelo salad with dried squid and shrimp

For this simple pomelo salad at home to achieve a flavor as authentic as at a restaurant, you need to fully prepare the ingredients according to the quantity table below:

With simple, easy-to-find and nutrient-rich ingredients like the ones above, you can fully make your own attractive plate of pomelo salad with shrimp and squid right at home. Now let’s get started on each step to create a salad that is both good-looking and delicious enough to make anyone who tries it exclaim in delight!

Detailed step-by-step way to make pomelo salad with dried squid and shrimp

To get a truly delicious plate of pomelo salad with shrimp and squid, you need to follow the correct process from the preparation stage to how to mix the salad dressing. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to make pomelo salad with shrimp and squid to help you do it easily right from your first time in the kitchen.

Step 1 – Prepare the pomelo, shrimp and vegetables

• Pomelo: Peel the skin and remove all the white pith wrapped around the segments. Separate the segments into bite-sized pieces, working gently so the pomelo segments don’t get crushed or release juice.
• Shrimp: Wash thoroughly, boil until just cooked with a little crushed ginger to remove any fishy smell. Take the shrimp out and place them straight into a bowl of ice water to keep them crisp, then peel and remove the back vein.
• Vegetables: Wash the carrot thoroughly and julienne it. Wash the herbs and chop them finely. Slice the horn chili into thin strips.

Preparing the pomelo, shrimp and vegetables

Step 2 – Prepare the dried squid the right way

Soaking dried squid briefly in warm water for about 5 minutes to soften it a little. After that, you grill the squid over a wood fire, gas stove or air fryer at a moderate temperature until the squid is cooked and gives off a fragrant aroma. Use a mallet to gently pound the squid body until soft, then shred it into thin, bite-sized strips.

Step 3 – Mix the authentic sweet and sour salad dressing

• Salad dressing recipe: Into a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of chili sauce, minced garlic and chili.
• Stir well until the sugar has completely dissolved. A balanced ratio of fish sauce, sugar and lime will give the salad a harmonious, rich sweet and sour flavor without being too sharp.

Step 4 – Toss the salad and arrange it on a plate

After finishing the preparation, put the pomelo segments, shrimp, shredded dried squid, julienned carrot and herbs into a large basin. Slowly drizzle the salad dressing in, then use your hands (wearing gloves) to toss very gently so the pomelo segments don’t get crushed. After that, arrange the salad on a plate and sprinkle crushed roasted peanuts and crispy fried shallots on top to finish.

Check out more delicious dried squid salad recipes you shouldn’t miss:

• How to make rich, unique dried squid and banana blossom salad
• How to make delicious sweet and sour squid salad at home
• How to make crunchy, authentic dried squid and papaya salad
• How to mix a super appealing sour and spicy dried mango squid salad
• How to make delicious, sauce-soaked dried squid and toad fruit salad

Tossing the salad and arranging it on a plate

Tips to make pomelo salad with dried squid and shrimp even more delicious

In addition to correctly applying the way to make pomelo salad with shrimp and squid, a few small tips below will elevate the flavor of your dish:

Tips for choosing pomelo that isn’t bitter

To choose good, non-bitter pomelo, you should:

• Choose a fruit with taut skin, heavy for its size and large, well-developed spikes on the skin. Don’t choose fruit that feels light and spongy.
• Prioritize green-skinned pomelo, as its segments are juicier and sweeter with less bitterness than Nam Roi pomelo.
• Once the segments are separated, you can soak them in diluted salt water for about 5-10 minutes, then drain.
• When squeezing or separating the pomelo segments, work very gently to avoid breaking the pith fibers that release bitter compounds.

Choose a fruit with taut skin, heavy for its size and large, well-developed spikes on the skin

How to grill dried squid so it’s fragrant, not burnt, and stays pleasantly chewy

To keep the dried squid fragrant, not burnt and pleasantly chewy, the most important things are grilling it over moderate heat, turning it evenly, and not letting it stay in contact with the flame too long. Here are some common methods:

• Grill the squid over low heat, keeping it about 10-15cm away from the coals/burner.
• Turn the squid continuously so it cooks evenly and avoids getting scorched, which causes bitterness.
• Tear off a small piece to test; if the squid meat feels soft and chewy and tears easily, it’s done just right.

Grilling the dried squid so it’s fragrant, not burnt, and stays pleasantly chewy

When should you toss the salad to keep it fresh and crunchy?

To keep the salad fresh, crunchy and free of excess liquid, you should only toss it about 5-10 minutes before eating. Drizzle the fish sauce dressing in last so the ingredients don’t release liquid that softens the pomelo and reduces the crunch of the vegetables.

How to choose good dried squid for making salad

Dried squid is the main ingredient that creates the delicious, chewy, rich flavor of the pomelo salad. For the best possible dish, you should keep in mind how to choose good dried squid:

• Choose squid with a natural color: Prioritize squid that is light pink or light yellow, with a thin, natural layer of white powder coating the belly. Avoid squid that is too white, too dark, or shows signs of mold or unusual patchy color.
• Prioritize thick-bodied, whole squid: Choose squid with a thick, straight body, with the head and tentacles still firmly attached to the body. After grilling, this type of squid will keep its chewiness and sweetness and be easy to shred into nice strips for the salad.
• Check the smell of the squid: Good dried squid has the characteristic aroma of dried seafood, with no smell of damp mold, rancidness or chemicals.
• Choose a moderate size: You should choose medium-sized squid (about 3-5 pieces/kg) because the flesh is thick, so after grilling it won’t be too dry, will shred nicely and will keep its natural sweetness.
• Prioritize grade-1 dried squid or one-sun dried squid: These are squid varieties with good-quality flesh that, when grilled, turn out fragrant, moderately soft and chewy, and are very suitable for making salads.

Choose squid with a natural color, with a thin layer of white powder coating the belly

Frequently asked questions about pomelo salad with dried squid and shrimp

How long can pomelo salad be kept?

Pomelo salad tastes best when eaten right after being tossed (within 30 minutes). If stored in the refrigerator, the salad only keeps well for a maximum of 2-3 hours, as the pomelo and vegetables will release liquid, reducing the crisp, tasty texture. You shouldn’t keep the salad overnight, as the seafood (shrimp, squid) can easily spoil.

Is pomelo salad with dried squid and shrimp suitable for people on a diet?

Yes. This dish contains an extremely low amount of starch, is rich in fiber from the pomelo, and provides healthy protein from the shrimp and dried squid. Pomelo salad with dried squid and shrimp is an ideal dish for Eat Clean or Low-carb diets. However, when preparing it, you should proactively reduce the amount of sugar in the salad dressing.

Where to buy good dried squid for making salad?

The quality of the dried squid directly determines how delicious the salad turns out. To fully enjoy the flavor, you should choose to buy dried squid from reputable suppliers.

Ola Squid proudly offers premium hook-caught dried squid, carefully selected piece by piece, thick-bodied, sweet-fleshed when torn and true to the taste of the sea. Visit the website Ola Squid now to order quality dried squid for your family meals!

With this detailed yet simple way to make pomelo salad with shrimp and squid above, we hope you can now confidently head into the kitchen to make this delicious dish to treat your family. The refreshing sweet and sour flavor combined with the delicious chewiness of Ola Squid dried squid is sure to satisfy anyone who tries it. Wishing you success!