How to Properly Preserve Fresh Squid to Keep It Sweet and Crisp for Longer

Just bought fresh squid from the market or supermarket but haven’t had time to prepare it right away, many home cooks are unsure whether to store it in the refrigerator or freezer, and how long it can be kept while still retaining its natural sweetness. This article will guide you through the method of preserving fresh squid from the selection and preliminary preparation stage to freezing and transporting it over long distances – applicable both when you have a refrigerator and when you need to travel for several hours. With experience in purchasing and processing squid, Ola Squid will share practical tips to help keep squid free of fishy odor and retain its distinctive crisp, chewy texture.

How to choose fresh squid and prepare it before storing

To preserve fresh squid for a long time, the first thing to do correctly is to select squid that is still fresh right from the moment of purchase. No matter how carefully squid that is already less fresh is stored, it will quickly spoil and change odor after just a few hours. After choosing good squid, the preliminary preparation step also largely determines the subsequent storage time, since the squid’s intestines and internal organs are where bacteria develop fastest.

How to choose fresh squid

A good piece of fresh squid usually has characteristics that are easy to recognize with the naked eye, without needing any support tools. Buyers just need to observe and smell it to be able to assess most of its quality.

• The squid’s eyes are clear, bright, not cloudy or bulging outward
• The squid’s body is firm, with good elasticity that leaves no indentation when gently pressed
• The squid’s skin is intact, with a natural color (pinkish-brown or opaque white), without scratches or blotches
• No unusual foul odor – fresh squid only has the characteristic light fishy smell of seafood

See details: How to choose good fresh squid that not everyone knows

How to properly prepare fresh squid

After buying it, squid should be prepared as soon as possible and should not be left whole at room temperature for too long. Wash the squid clean under running water, then remove the ink sac, remove the innards, and pull the backbone (the squid’s pen/cuttlebone) out of the body. This is an important step because the internal organs contain a lot of bacteria, and if left behind, they will cause the squid to decompose quickly and develop an odor even after being placed in the refrigerator.

One note that many people often overlook is that you should not wash squid with salt water if you’re not going to cook it right away. Salt has water-absorbing properties, and soaking squid in salt water for a while will cause the squid’s flesh to lose moisture, quickly become mushy, and lose its natural crisp sweetness. Salt water should only be used once the preliminary preparation is done and the squid is going to be cooked within 30 minutes afterward.

• Wash the squid under clean running water, removing the slime on the skin
• Turn the squid’s body inside out, remove the ink sac and all the internal organs
• Pull the transparent backbone (pen) out of the body
• Wash it one last time with clean water, and drain it before putting it into storage

See more: Revealing how to clean squid so it’s not fishy and super fast

How long can fresh squid be stored?

The storage time for fresh squid depends directly on the method and temperature applied. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, suited to different usage needs, from cooking it the same day to storing it for use over an entire month.

The table below quickly summarizes the storage time for fresh squid according to each common method, helping readers easily choose the option that suits their circumstances.

In general, the most effective way to preserve live fresh squid is still proper freezing, because a temperature below -18°C completely inhibits spoilage-causing bacteria. However, if you only need to use it within a few days, the refrigerator’s cool compartment is still a convenient choice that keeps it almost as fresh and delicious.

How to store fresh squid in the refrigerator

The refrigerator is the most common tool for storing fresh squid at home, with two main options: the cool compartment for short-term needs and the freezer for long-term storage needs. Each method requires different packaging techniques to ensure the squid doesn’t lose moisture or pick up odors from other food in the fridge.

Proper storage also helps preserve the protein structure in the squid’s flesh, preventing it from becoming mushy or losing its crispness after thawing or being taken out to cook. Below is a detailed guide for each compartment.

How to store fresh squid in the refrigerator’s cool compartment

The cool compartment is suitable when you plan to cook the squid within 1-2 days. After being prepared, the squid needs to be fully drained of water before being placed in a sealed container, to avoid pooling water that would make the squid become slimy quickly.

• Place the container of squid in the coldest spot in the cool compartment, usually the bottom shelf near the cooling unit
• The ideal temperature for storing squid in the cool compartment is 0-4°C
• You should cook it within 24-48 hours to ensure freshness and food safety

If after 2 days the squid starts to have a stronger fishy smell than usual, the body becomes slimy, or the color turns pale pink, you should discard it and not continue to use it.

See more: Should dried squid be kept in the refrigerator or the freezer?

How to freeze fresh squid in the freezer

For long-term storage needs, freezing is the method that helps keep squid fresh and delicious for several months. If packaged carelessly before freezing, thawed squid will develop freezer burn, become dry and tough, and lose its natural sweetness.

The best way is to divide the squid into small portions just enough for one meal, avoiding the need to thaw and then refreeze it multiple times. A vacuum-sealed bag is the ideal choice because it completely removes the air in contact with the squid’s flesh, minimizing oxidation as much as possible.

• Divide the squid into small portions according to how much you’ll use per meal
• Put it into a zip bag or vacuum-sealed bag, pressing out all excess air before sealing it tightly
• Write the packaging date on the outside of the bag to make it easy to keep track of time
• Freeze it at a temperature below -18°C, which is the standard temperature threshold for inhibiting bacteria
• The recommended storage time is 3-6 months to preserve the best flavor

How to store fresh squid without a refrigerator

In cases where you buy squid in a coastal area, at a wholesale market, or after fishing without a nearby refrigerator, a foam box combined with ice is an effective alternative solution. This method is commonly applied by fishermen and seafood suppliers to keep squid fresh during short-term transport.

The most important principle when using an ice cooler is not to let the squid come into direct contact with ice that has melted into water, since soaking in water for a long time will make the squid’s flesh mushy and cause it to lose its sweetness.

• Arrange a layer of ice at the bottom of the foam box, and cover it with a layer of plastic bag or a clean cloth
• Place the prepared squid on the lining, arranging it alternately with ice cubes or crushed ice
• Cover it with an additional thin layer of ice on top to keep the temperature even
• Close the box lid tightly, and keep it in a cool, airy place away from direct sunlight
• The storage time using an ice cooler reaches about 2-3 days if enough ice is maintained

How to store fresh squid when transporting it long distances

Transporting fresh squid over a long distance – especially in large quantities for business purposes or to send to relatives – requires combining multiple factors at once to ensure the squid still arrives fresh and delicious. An insulated foam box remains the main tool, but the proportion of ice needs to be increased and an additional insulating layer needs to be added.

Gel ice packs or dry ice are usually preferred over regular ice cubes because they melt more slowly, maintaining a stable temperature throughout the long journey. If the transport distance is over 6 hours, the squid should be pre-frozen before packing it into the box to extend the cold-holding time. At Ola Squid, the packaging and shipping process always ensures a reasonable ratio of ice to squid, combined with an insulating layer, so that both dried squid and fresh squid retain the best quality when they reach customers far away.

• Prioritize gel ice packs or dry ice over ice cubes to keep it cold for longer
• Add a layer of newspaper or foam padding between the layers of ice for better insulation
• Pack the squid into separate bags, avoiding piling it all into one large block
• For journeys over 6 hours, the squid should be pre-frozen before transport

How to thaw squid while keeping its full deliciousness

Thawing incorrectly is a common cause of squid that was properly frozen still turning mushy, losing moisture, and becoming less sweet. The safest and most effective way is to move the squid from the freezer down to the cool compartment 8-12 hours beforehand, letting the squid thaw gradually at a low temperature.

If you need it urgently, you can soak the still-sealed bag of squid in a basin of cold water for about 30-45 minutes; absolutely do not use hot water or leave it to thaw at room temperature, as this creates conditions for bacteria to grow quickly on the surface while the inside is still frozen solid.

• Natural thawing in the refrigerator’s cool compartment for 8-12 hours is the best method
• Soak it in cold water if you need to thaw it quickly, keeping the packaging sealed
• Do not thaw it in the microwave or with hot water, as this cooks the squid unevenly
• Cook it right after thawing, and do not refreeze it a second time

Common mistakes that make fresh squid spoil quickly, and signs of spoiled squid

Many cases of squid spoiling quickly are not due to poor initial quality but due to mistakes made during storage. Understanding these mistakes helps home cooks avoid wasting food and ensures safety when using it.

• Leaving squid outside for too long before putting it in the refrigerator: Fresh squid left at room temperature for more than 2 hours easily loses quality and quickly develops a fishy, foul smell. Therefore, after preparing it, you should refrigerate the squid as soon as possible
• Soaking or washing squid with salt water before storing it: Salt water can cause the squid’s flesh to lose moisture, especially when soaked for a long time. After being stored and cooked again, the squid easily turns soft and no longer retains its original crisp, chewy texture
• Not cleaning out the internal organs before storing: Any remaining intestines and internal organs can cause the squid to spoil quickly and become fishy. It’s best to clean this part before putting the squid in the refrigerator or freezer
• Thawing and then refreezing multiple times: Each time it is thawed, the squid loses an additional amount of moisture. If done multiple times, the squid’s flesh easily becomes mushy, less sweet, and no longer has the delicious chewy texture when cooked
• Packaging it carelessly when freezing: Squid that is not tightly wrapped easily develops a dry surface, with white spots appearing due to freezer burn, and can also absorb odors from other foods in the freezer. You should use a sealed bag or container, minimizing air exposure during storage.

Regarding the signs that indicate spoiled squid, pay attention to the following characteristics so you can discard it promptly and avoid affecting your health:

• A strong, unusually foul, fishy smell instead of the characteristic light fishy odor
• The squid’s body becomes slimy, sticking to your hand when touched
• The color turns an unusually pale pink or pale bluish-green
• The squid’s flesh becomes soft and mushy, losing its elasticity when pressed

Mastering the method of preserving fresh squid from the selection and preliminary preparation stage to freezing and transport helps ensure your family meals always have fresh, naturally crisp and sweet ingredients on hand without worrying about waste. If you don’t have time to properly prepare and store fresh squid, dried squid is also an equally convenient choice, fully preserving the flavor of the sea without needing to worry about usage time. Visit olasquid.com to learn more about quality dried squid products, processed and preserved through a closed-loop process by Ola Squid.