Tiếng Việt
ไทยFresh squid is a pure gift from the ocean, not only appealing with its natural sweetness but also scoring points with its distinct crispy and chewy texture, making anyone who tries it once remember it forever. However, stir-frying squid without it becoming fishy or tough, while still retaining its natural sweetness and crispness, is a challenge not everyone can master. If you’re looking for a way to stir-fry fresh squid that’s authentic, simple, yet as delicious as restaurant-style, then don’t miss this article!
Benefits of Fresh Squid for Health
Before diving into cooking, let’s explore the wonderful nutritional values that fresh squid brings to our health with Ola Squid!
Squid is a high-quality source of protein, essential for building and maintaining muscles, and supporting body recovery after physical activity. Squid also contains many B vitamins, especially B12 and B2, which play crucial roles in maintaining a healthy nervous system, reducing fatigue, and supporting metabolism.
Furthermore, squid is rich in essential minerals like zinc, copper, and selenium – components that boost immunity, protect cells from free radical damage, and support effective thyroid function. Not only is it nutritious, but squid is also a low-fat food with virtually no sugar, making it ideal for those following a diet, aiming for weight loss, or seeking to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Additionally, some studies suggest that squid contains taurine – an amino acid that helps regulate blood pressure, improve cardiovascular function, and support sharp vision and a clear mind. In summary, fresh squid is not only delicious but also good for health, making it an ideal choice for every meal: from simple everyday dishes to high-end nutritional menus.
Instructions for Stir-Frying Fresh Squid Deliciously, Crispy, and Not Fishy
To achieve the perfect stir-fried squid dish, you need to master the entire process from preparation to cooking. Here are detailed instructions.
Step 1: Properly Prepare Fresh Squid
- Preparation accounts for 70% of the dish’s success.
- Rinse the squid with diluted salt water or lemon juice to remove any fishy odor.
- Peel off the purple skin to make the squid appear whiter and more appealing when cooked.
- Remove the ink sac, eyes, and beak of the squid.
- Lightly score the squid’s body in a diamond pattern to help it absorb marinades better and look more appealing when cooked.
Step 2: How to Marinate Squid for Rich Flavor
Seasoning is the soul of a stir-fried dish.
- Marinate the squid with minced garlic, a little salt, pepper, sugar, fish sauce, and oyster sauce for about 15 minutes.
- You can add a little grated ginger to enhance the aroma and further remove the fishy smell.
Step 3: Stir-Frying Squid Correctly to Avoid Toughness
The key is to stir-fry quickly over high heat.
- Heat the pan, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then add the squid and stir-fry quickly for about 2-3 minutes.
- Do not overcook, as this will make the squid tough and dry.
- You can add vegetables, spring onions, or chili paste depending on the dish.
Must-Try Fresh Squid Stir-Fry Dishes
Beyond traditional stir-fried squid, you can easily create many more appealing versions with just a few simple ingredients. Here are some delicious, flavorful, and easy-to-make fresh squid stir-fry dishes you shouldn’t miss.
Fresh Squid Stir-Fried with Spring Onion
The harmonious combination of crispy, sweet squid and refreshing spring onions creates a simple yet rich dish that’s incredibly appetizing. Spring onions help balance the saltiness of the squid, resulting in a harmonious and palatable overall flavor.
How to make: Clean the fresh squid, cut into bite-sized rings, then marinate with minced garlic, a little salt, pepper, and fish sauce for about 15 minutes. Sauté minced garlic in hot oil until fragrant, add the squid and stir-fry quickly over high heat for about 2 minutes until it firms up. Add chopped spring onions, stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, then turn off the heat. The dish retains its crispy sweetness, blending perfectly with the refreshing aroma of spring onions.
Squid Stir-Fried with Chili Paste
The spicy kick from the chili paste deeply penetrates each strand of squid, making the dish warm and rich with the flavor of the sea. This dish is especially suitable for cold, rainy days or weekend gatherings with friends.
How to make: Prepare the squid, marinate with minced garlic, a little salt, pepper, and cooking oil. Heat the pan, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, add chili paste and stir well, then add the squid and stir-fry quickly over high heat. Stir-fry continuously for 3 minutes until the squid absorbs the marinade and firms up. Add some chopped scallions or cilantro to enhance the aroma. The dish is spicy and rich, appealing to those who love spicy food.
Sweet and Sour Squid Stir-Fry
The blend of the tangy sweetness of vinegar, the light sweetness of sugar, and a hint of spiciness from chili makes this squid dish unique and appealing to both adults and children. This is one of the most loved dishes by many families.
How to make: Clean the squid, marinate with minced garlic, salt, and pepper for 10 minutes. Prepare the sweet and sour sauce by mixing fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, and a little minced chili. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, add the squid and stir-fry quickly until firm, then pour in the sauce and stir well to coat. Adjust seasoning to taste and turn off the heat. The dish has a harmonious sweet and sour flavor that stimulates the appetite.
Squid Stir-Fried with Vegetables
A great choice for healthy eating. Stir-frying squid with bell peppers, onions, and carrots not only makes the dish visually appealing but also adds fiber and vitamins, creating a perfect nutritional balance.
How to make: Clean the squid, marinate with basic seasonings like salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Cut vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and onions into bite-sized pieces. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, add the vegetables and stir-fry briefly until slightly tender, then add the squid and stir-fry quickly over high heat. Continue to stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, adjust seasoning to taste. This dish is colorful, nutritious, and perfect for family meals.
Squid Stir-Fried with Onion, Celery, and Garlic
Onions and garlic bring out a rich aroma, while celery adds a fresh, crunchy element. Each piece of squid is infused with flavor and full of vitality, making you want to eat more and more.
How to make squid stir-fried with onion: Clean the fresh squid, cut into rings, and marinate with minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté minced garlic in hot oil until fragrant, add the squid and stir-fry quickly until it firms up. Add sliced onions and chopped celery, stir-fry for 2 minutes, then turn off the heat. The dish has the characteristic aroma of garlic, the natural sweetness of squid, and vegetables.
Squid Stir-Fried with Cucumber, Tomato, and Pineapple
This dish offers a refreshing and light feeling, suitable for meals where you don’t want anything too heavy. Cucumbers help balance the richness, tomatoes enhance the sweetness, and pineapple helps remove fishy odors while adding a distinct mild sourness.
How to make: Clean the squid and marinate with basic seasonings. Cut cucumbers and tomatoes into pieces, and slice pineapple thinly. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, add the squid and stir-fry quickly. Then add tomatoes and pineapple and stir-fry for about 2 minutes, finally add cucumbers and stir-fry briefly before turning off the heat. This dish has a light, refreshing, and slightly sour taste, perfect for summer.
Squid Stir-Fried with Chili Paste, Bell Peppers, and Baby Corn
The unique combination of crispy squid, sweet bell peppers, and tender baby corn creates a dish that is harmonious in both flavor and color. The spiciness of the chili paste is delicately balanced, not too overpowering, making it suitable for a variety of palates.
How to make: Prepare the squid, cut bell peppers into pieces, and separate baby corn kernels. Marinate the squid with garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, add chili paste and stir well, then add the squid and stir-fry quickly. Add bell peppers and baby corn and stir-fry together for 2-3 minutes, adjust seasoning, then turn off the heat. The dish has a mild spicy flavor, the sweet crunchiness of baby corn, and an appealing color.
Squid Stir-Fried with Enoki Mushrooms
A dish with a Korean flair, combining chewy squid with tender, spicy mushrooms. The mild sour and spicy taste from kimchi stimulates the appetite, making it a great accompaniment to hot rice.
How to make: Clean the squid and marinate with seasonings. Wash and cut the enoki mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, add the squid and stir-fry until firm. Add the enoki mushrooms and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until well combined. The dish has the characteristic spicy flavor of kimchi, which pairs perfectly with the chewy squid.
Mixed Vegetable Squid Stir-Fry
If you want a dish that is both delicious and packed with nutrients, try a mixed vegetable squid stir-fry with broccoli, carrots, peas, mushrooms, etc. The variety of ingredients creates a dish that is complete in terms of color, flavor, and nutrition.
How to make: Clean the squid and marinate with seasonings. Cut vegetables like broccoli, carrots, peas, and mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, add the vegetables and stir-fry briefly, then add the squid and stir-fry quickly over high heat. Season to taste. This dish is filling, nutritious, and very appealing.
Squid Stir-Fried with Cucumber
A simple, refreshing dish, suitable for days when you don’t want overly rich flavors. The crisp cucumber helps balance the saltiness of the squid, making the dish lighter and easier to digest.
How to make: Clean the squid and marinate lightly. Slice cucumbers thinly. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, add the squid and stir-fry quickly. When the squid is almost cooked, add the sliced cucumber and stir-fry for 1 minute, then turn off the heat. This dish is light and refreshing, perfect for a change of pace in your daily meals.
See more: How to Cook Dried Squid Stir-Fried with Kohlrabi: Rich Flavor, Easy to Make at Home
Important Notes for a Perfect Squid Stir-Fry
To ensure your fresh squid stir-fry is delicious, crispy, and not fishy, pay attention to the following:
- Do not marinate squid for too long: Prolonged marinating will strip away the natural sweetness and make the squid mushy, losing its crispness.
- Stir-fry over high heat for a short time: This helps the squid firm up quickly, maintaining a pleasant chewy and crispy texture, preventing it from shrinking or becoming tough due to overcooking.
- Season moderately: This preserves the original sweetness of the squid and prevents overpowering its fresh flavor.
- Do not stir-fry too many ingredients at once: This can cause a sudden drop in pan temperature, leading to the squid releasing water and cooking unevenly, thus losing its crispiness.
How to Store and Prepare Fresh Squid for Later Use
If you buy a large quantity of fresh squid, you can store it for later use while still preserving its fresh flavor by following these tips:
- Clean the squid and drain it: Rinse thoroughly, remove internal organs, wash again with clean water, and then drain before storing.
- Wrap tightly and freeze: To maintain freshness and prevent odors, wrap the squid tightly with plastic wrap or place it in a zip-top bag, then store it in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator.
- Thaw correctly: When ready to use, thaw the squid naturally in the refrigerator or by soaking it in cool water. Never use hot water to thaw as it will make the squid mushy and lose its crispy texture.
- Use within 1 month: To ensure freshness and quality, consume the squid within one month of freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stir-Frying Fresh Squid
Here are some common questions about stir-frying squid and answers from culinary experts to help you confidently prepare the most authentic dish.
How to prevent squid from becoming tough when stir-fried?
The key lies in stir-frying the squid over high heat for a short period. When cooked for too long, the muscle fibers in the squid will contract, lose moisture, and become tough and dry. Therefore, you should stir-fry quickly, just enough to firm up the squid while retaining its natural crispy and sweet texture.
Should squid be marinated beforehand?
Marinating squid is necessary to enhance flavor, but it should only be done for about 10–15 minutes. If marinated for too long, the squid will release too much moisture, lose its natural sweetness, and the dish might become bland or mushy.
Is it necessary to blanch squid before stir-frying?
Blanching squid is not a mandatory step, but if you want whiter, crispier squid and to effectively remove fishy odors, you can briefly blanch it in boiling water mixed with ginger and white wine for about 30 seconds before stir-frying. This is a small trick to make the dish more appealing and fresher.
We hope that with the detailed instructions above, you have grasped how to stir-fry fresh squid deliciously, crisply, and without any fishy taste, ready to prepare your own attractive squid dishes to enrich your family meals. Don’t forget to keep following Ola Squid’s articles for more scientific cooking tips, turning your small kitchen into a place of connection and love every day.
