How to Make Crispy, Refreshing Pomelo Salad with Shrimp and Squid at Home

Grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid is a delicate combination of the pomelo’s sweet and refreshing taste, the crisp freshness of seafood, and the subtle aroma of herbs, creating a dish that is both visually appealing and enticing. Not only an ideal appetizer for light meals, pomelo salad also brings a pleasant cool feeling on hot sunny days. If you are looking for a delicious, easy-to-make, colorful, and healthy dish, let’s explore with Ola Squid the authentic recipe for grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid at home!

Why is grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid loved by many?

It is not by chance that grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid has become a signature dish on the menus of many families, restaurants, and for light parties. This dish scores points with its harmonious blend of flavor layers: the sweet and slightly tangy taste of pomelo segments, the sweet freshness of shrimp, the chewy crispness of squid, and the aromatic herbs, all harmonized by a sweet and sour, slightly spicy, rich, and incredibly appetite-stimulating dressing.

Not only delicious, pomelo salad is also a healthy dish with plenty of fiber, vitamin C, and protein but low in fat, suitable for those on a diet, the elderly, and children. Especially, its refreshing, easy-to-digest, and non-greasy nature makes this salad an ideal choice on hot summer days or for occasions when you need a light yet appealing dish. That is also why grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid always wins the hearts of diners from the first taste.

Ingredients to prepare

Before starting to prepare, please gather all the fresh and delicious ingredients below to ensure the salad achieves its most complete flavor:

• 1 pink pomelo (or Nam Roi pomelo)
• 200g tiger shrimp
• 200g cuttlefish or squid
• Vietnamese mint, Thai basil, onion, carrot
• Roasted peanuts, fried shallots
• Fish sauce, sugar, lime juice or vinegar
• Prawn crackers (optional for serving)

With simple, easy-to-find, and nutritious ingredients like these, you can completely make a delicious grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid at home. Now, let’s get started step by step to create a dish that is both visually appealing and delicious, making everyone who tastes it exclaim with delight!

Detailed step-by-step recipe for grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid

To make a delicious grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid, you need to follow the correct process from preparation to making the dressing. Let’s start step by step!

Step 1 – Prepare the ingredients

Start with the most important part: preparing the ingredients meticulously to preserve their fresh flavor. After peeling the pomelo, gently separate the segments, then break each segment into individual pieces and set aside, avoiding mashing them to maintain their juiciness and appearance. Wash the shrimp, peel them, remove the dark vein, and drain. Clean the squid thoroughly, rinse with diluted saltwater or a little vinegar to remove the fishy smell, then slice into bite-sized rings.

Next, prepare the vegetables: pick and wash the Vietnamese mint and Thai basil under cold running water, then let them air dry. Grate the carrot into thin shreds, and slice the onion thinly, then soak it in ice water to reduce its pungency, and also to make the onions crisp and maintain their attractive white color.

Step 2 – Boil shrimp and squid correctly to maintain crispness

To retain the natural sweetness and crunchy texture of seafood, the boiling process must be done correctly and at the right time. First, bring a pot of water to a boil, add a few slices of crushed ginger and a little salt to remove the fishy smell and enhance the flavor. When the water simmers, add the shrimp to boil. Observe carefully – when the shrimp turn pinkish-orange and their bodies curl slightly, they are cooked. Remove them immediately and soak them in ice-cold water to maintain their crispness and bright color.

Next, it’s the squid’s turn. Put the squid in the boiling water (you can use the same pot used for boiling shrimp) and boil for about 1-2 minutes depending on thickness. The squid is cooked when the flesh is firm but still tender. Overcooking will make the squid tough and lose its natural sweetness. After boiling, also soak the squid in ice water to “lock in” the crispness and make the squid look whiter and more attractive.

Step 3 – Make the sweet and sour dressing

The dressing is the “soul” of the salad, determining 80% of the final flavor. A delicious dressing must balance all four flavors: sour, sweet, salty, and spicy, while also having the characteristic aroma of garlic and chili. To make the dressing, you need: 2 tablespoons of good fish sauce, 1.5 tablespoons of sugar (can be adjusted to taste), 2-3 tablespoons of lime juice or rice vinegar, and minced garlic and chili. Put all ingredients into a bowl and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Taste and adjust; if you want it milder, add more lime; if you want it richer, add more fish sauce. The ideal flavor is a light sweetness as a base, a refreshing sourness that spreads, a moderate saltiness, and a fragrant spiciness.

It’s best to make the dressing about 10-15 minutes in advance to allow the ingredients to meld together, creating a harmonious blend and releasing their aroma when mixed with the main ingredients.

Step 4 – Mix the salad and plate it

Prepare a large bowl, add the separated pomelo segments, shrimp, squid, herbs, grated carrots, and ice-soaked onions. Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the top, then gently toss to combine the ingredients while keeping them intact, especially the pomelo so it doesn’t get mushy.

After mixing, transfer the salad to a serving plate, sprinkle with crushed roasted peanuts and golden fried shallots on top. The dish will be more complete when served with crispy fried prawn crackers, creating an interesting contrast between crisp and soft, sour and sweet, refreshing and rich, making it hard for diners to stop eating.

Besides pomelo salad, you can also refer to dried mango squid salad recipes or green plum squid salad, which are delicious variations with a sweet, sour, and slightly spicy taste, perfect for a change of pace in your family meals.

Tips for making grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid even more delicious

If you want your salad to be perfect, don’t miss these small but extremely useful tips:

Secret to choosing pomelo that is not bitter

Choose pink pomelo or Nam Roi pomelo with thin skin, large, juicy segments, and a slightly sweet and sour taste. Avoid choosing unripe or dry fruits, as this will make the salad bitter and fibrous.

How to prevent squid from being fishy?

To effectively remove the fishy smell of squid, soak the squid in lime juice or diluted vinegar before boiling. In addition, adding a few slices of ginger or lemongrass to the boiling water also helps to enhance the aroma and significantly reduce the fishy smell.

When should the salad be mixed to maintain crispness?

The salad should be mixed 10-15 minutes before serving to maintain the crispness and fresh taste of each ingredient. If you want to prepare in advance, you can prepare and keep each component separate, and only mix when it’s almost time to eat. Avoid mixing too vigorously to maintain the beautiful shape of each ingredient.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

To help you feel more confident in the kitchen, here are some frequently asked questions when making grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid. Let’s listen to the culinary experts’ answers!

How long can grapefruit pomelo salad be stored?

The salad should be consumed immediately after mixing to ensure its freshness and deliciousness. If stored in the refrigerator, it should be eaten within 4-6 hours. However, the pomelo may release juice, making the salad mushy if left for too long.

Should the salad be mixed long before eating?

No. Mix the salad right before serving to maintain the crispness and fresh taste of each ingredient. If you want to prepare in advance, you can prepare and keep each component separate, and only mix when it’s almost time to eat.

Is pomelo salad suitable for people on a diet?

Very suitable! Grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid is rich in fiber, protein, and low in fat. You can adjust the amount of sugar in the dressing to suit your diet or weight loss plan.

We hope that with the detailed instructions above, you are ready to make delicious, crispy, and refreshing grapefruit pomelo salad with shrimp and squid for your family to enjoy. Don’t forget to keep following Ola Squid to discover more delicious and diverse dishes made from fresh seafood, making your family meals richer and more complete every day!