How to Soak Dried Squid: Soften and Eliminate Fishy Odor

Dried squid is a delicious specialty, loved by many for its characteristic chewy and sweet flavor. However, to process dried squid to be tender and soft without an unpleasant fishy odor, you need to know the correct soaking method. In the article below, Ola Squid will guide you through detailed methods for soaking dried squid to make it tender quickly and remove any odor, making your dishes more appealing.

1. Methods for Soaking Dried Squid to Make it Tender Quickly

1.1. Using Warm Water to Soak Dried Squid to Make it Tender

Soaking dried squid in warm water around 40-50 degrees Celsius is a simple and effective method. The warm water temperature helps to quickly soften the squid meat fibers without losing its natural chewiness. You only need to soak for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with clean water. The squid will be soft, drain it, and then prepare it for cooking.

1.2. Soaking Dried Squid with Cold Water

Soaking dried squid with cold water is a method chosen by many for its effective softening capabilities while preserving the natural flavor of the squid. The low temperature easily soothes the protein structure, preventing stiffness; simultaneously, osmotic pressure allows water to gradually penetrate each fiber, making the dried squid softer.

Detailed steps are as follows:

• Step 1: Pour cold water into a bowl or container, ensuring enough to completely submerge the squid.
• Step 2: Add the dried squid, ensuring it is soaked evenly.
• Step 3: Soak for about 1-2 hours for the squid to soften, its meat structure to become more flexible, absorb seasonings easily, and be suitable for various dishes such as grilling, frying, stewing, or shredding for salads.

1.3. Soaking Dried Squid in Milk Also Helps to Soften It

Soaking dried squid in milk is a method that not only softens the squid but also imparts a characteristic creamy flavor, creating an appealing culinary experience. Milk contains natural protease enzymes that can break down the protein structure in squid, effectively softening the dried squid meat, while also retaining moisture and making the squid fresher during processing.

How to do it:

• Step 1: Prepare quality dried squid and fresh milk or condensed milk depending on your preference for richness.
• Step 2: Pour enough milk into a container or bowl to cover the dried squid completely. Cover tightly and soak in the refrigerator or a cool place for about 6-8 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the squid to absorb evenly and become softer.
• Step 3: After soaking, rinse the dried squid thoroughly with water to remove excess milk and impurities. At this point, the squid will be soft, easy to process, and have a creamy, fragrant taste from the milk.

1.4. Softening Dried Squid by Soaking in Saltwater

The method of soaking dried squid in saltwater is widely used to soften the squid and enhance its natural saltiness, making dishes more flavorful. Saltwater helps reduce stiffness, increase saltiness and elasticity of the squid meat, and aids in absorbing seasonings, making the squid more delicious when combined with ingredients like onions, garlic, chili, or ginger.

The steps are as follows:

• Step 1: Mix 1-2 tablespoons of salt with 1 liter of warm water, adjusting the amount of salt according to your desired taste to create a dilute saltwater solution.
• Step 2: Place the dried squid in a container or bowl, pour the saltwater over it to ensure the squid is completely submerged for even absorption.
• Step 3: Soak the squid for about 1-2 hours, or you can increase the soaking time if you want the squid to be softer.
• Step 4: After soaking, rinse the squid thoroughly with clean water and gently massage to remove excess salt and impurities.

See more:

• How to make tender and delicious beer-soaked dried squid
• Discover how to make delicious dried squid soaked in lye water

1.5. Soaking Dried Squid with White Wine

Soaking dried squid with white wine is also one of the trusted methods for softening squid and imparting a unique flavor to the dish. Wine not only helps break down the tough protein structure, making the squid softer, but also eliminates the characteristic fishy smell, making the squid more fragrant and enjoyable. Here’s a specific guide:

• Step 1: Prepare quality dried squid and a type of white wine such as rice wine, grape wine, or ginger wine, depending on your preference.
• Step 2: Place the squid in a container, pour wine to cover the squid completely. Cover tightly and soak for 4 to 6 hours or overnight for the wine to penetrate and soften the squid meat.
• Step 3: After soaking, remove the squid and rinse gently under cold water to remove excess wine.

2. Some Notes When Soaking Dried Squid

• Choose delicious, high-quality dried squid with thick meat that is not too hard. This will make it easier to soften and retain its natural sweetness.
• Soaking squid for too long will make it mushy, lose its characteristic chewiness, and affect the flavor of the dish.
• Especially when soaking with cold water, you should change the water 1-2 times to thoroughly remove dirt and fishy odors.
• After each soaking, rinse the squid thoroughly with clean water to completely remove any remaining impurities before processing, to avoid affecting the flavor.
• After soaking and processing, if not used up, you should store the squid in a sealed container, in a dry place or in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. Or you can refer to how to store dried squid from Ola Squid!

The article above shares various methods for soaking dried squid to make it tender and odor-free. We hope it will be helpful for you. If you need to buy delicious, reputable, high-quality dried squid and receive detailed advice, don’t hesitate to contact Ola Squid. We specialize in providing fresh, high-quality dried squid products, carefully selected and safely packaged. Contact Ola Squid today to order dried squid and receive a detailed preferential price quote.