How to Make Ginger Lemongrass Steamed Squid, Crisp & Sweet

The way to steam squid with lemongrass is not only simple but also helps preserve the natural sweet flavor of squid if done with the right technique. In this article, Ola Squid will guide you through choosing the ingredients, the preparation steps, how to mix a dipping sauce, along with some tips and variations to make the ginger lemongrass steamed squid dish more fragrant and appealing.

How to choose fresh squid for steaming with lemongrass

Fresh squid is the key factor determining the crisp sweetness and flavor of the steamed dish. So, before starting the squid steaming with lemongrass method, you should take time to carefully select the ingredients so the finished dish is delicious and not fishy or chewy.

• Observe the color, eyes, and elasticity: Choose squid with shiny skin, natural color, and clear eyes that are not cloudy. When gently pressed on the body, the flesh should spring back well, and the head and tentacles should be firmly attached to the body.
• Prioritize the right type of squid: Tube squid is a popular choice because the flesh is thick, crisp, and sweet, and it easily absorbs the fragrance of ginger and lemongrass. If you prefer a rich, fatty flavor, you can choose roe squid, which has plump, soft, and richly flavored roe.
• Choose a moderate size: You should choose squid weighing about 100-200 g per piece so the flesh cooks evenly, keeps its crispness, and does not become chewy after steaming. If using larger squid, you should score it lightly or cut it into bite-sized pieces to shorten the cooking time.

Ingredients for ginger lemongrass steamed squid

To make the squid steamed with lemongrass for about 2-3 people, you only need to prepare a few familiar ingredients below.

Instructions for making delicious ginger lemongrass steamed squid

After preparing all the ingredients, you just need to follow the steps below in order to complete the ginger lemongrass steamed squid dish, keeping its natural crisp sweetness.

Step 1 – Prepare the squid and ingredients

Clean the squid’s innards, remove the ink sac, wash it with diluted salt water, then gently rub it with crushed ginger or a little white wine to remove the fishy smell.

Cut the ginger into thin strips, crush the lemongrass and cut it into sections, slice the onion into wedges, and slice the chili.

Step 2 – Arrange the squid on a plate

Arrange the squid on a plate or deep bowl, then drizzle fish sauce and sprinkle monosodium glutamate over the surface so the squid absorbs the seasoning evenly. You can marinate the squid for about 10 minutes before steaming to make the dish more flavorful.

Step 3 – Cover with ginger, lemongrass, and vegetables

Spread the ginger, lemongrass, onion, and chili evenly over the squid so the fragrance permeates evenly during steaming. This layer of ingredients not only helps remove the fishy smell but also makes the dish more fragrant and appealing.

Step 4 – Steam the squid

Place the plate of squid into the steamer once the water is boiling and steam for about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the squid. Once the squid turns opaque white and firms up, it is done. Do not steam it too long to avoid the flesh becoming chewy.

Step 5 – Finish and enjoy

After turning off the heat, let the squid rest for about 1-2 minutes before taking it out to serve while still hot. The dish tastes better when dipped in ginger fish sauce or salt-pepper-lime mixture and eaten with raw vegetables.

How to mix a dipping sauce to go with ginger lemongrass steamed squid

A suitable dipping sauce will make the ginger lemongrass steamed squid dish more flavorful and balanced. Depending on your preference, you can choose one of the two simple mixing methods below.

Ginger chili lime fish sauce

Put 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of sugar, minced ginger, and minced chili into a bowl, then stir well until the sugar dissolves completely. This dipping sauce has a harmonious salty-sweet flavor mixed with a touch of spice and the fragrance of ginger, making it very suitable to eat with steamed squid.

Salt-pepper-lime or green chili salt

If you prefer a simpler flavor, you just need to mix salt, ground pepper, and lime juice to taste for a harmoniously sour and spicy salt-pepper-lime mixture. In addition, green chili salt is also a favorite choice for many people thanks to its mild spiciness and fragrance, which helps highlight the natural sweetness of the squid.

See more: Top 6 delicious steamed squid dipping sauces, ready in 5 minutes

Tips for crisp, sweet, and non-fishy ginger lemongrass steamed squid

To achieve a delicious ginger lemongrass steamed squid dish that keeps its natural crisp sweetness and has no fishy smell, you should note a few small tips below during preparation and cooking.

• Prioritize truly fresh squid: Fresh squid has firm, well-springing flesh that keeps its crisp sweetness after steaming and releases less water than squid that has been stored for a while.
• Remove the fishy smell properly: After cleaning, you should wash the squid with a little crushed ginger or white wine, then drain it before cooking. This method helps remove the fishy smell while still preserving the squid’s natural sweetness.
• Do not steam too long: Only steam the squid for about 10-15 minutes, depending on its size. Once the squid turns opaque white and firms up, you can turn off the heat to avoid the flesh becoming chewy.
• Wait until the water is boiling before adding the squid to steam: Steaming when the water is at a strong boil helps the squid cook quickly, limits water release, and keeps a firm, crisp texture.
• Let the squid rest before serving: After turning off the heat, let the squid rest for about 1-2 minutes before cutting or plating it. This helps the sweet juices in the flesh distribute evenly, making the dish taste better.

Variations of squid steamed with lemongrass to suit your taste

Besides the traditional recipe, you can vary squid steamed with lemongrass into many different flavors to suit your family’s preferences.

Spicy squid steamed with lemongrass and chili

This dish uses more fresh lemongrass and chili to create a mild spiciness and distinctive fragrance, which is very suitable for those who like rich, bold dishes. After steaming, the squid still keeps its crisp sweetness, blending with the spicy heat of the chili and the fragrance of lemongrass, making it suitable for family meals or as a drinking snack.

Squid steamed with lemongrass in fish sauce lime dressing

If you prefer a harmoniously sweet and sour flavor, you can combine steamed squid with a fish sauce lime dressing. This sauce makes the dish more flavorful, highlighting the natural sweetness of the squid without losing the distinctive fragrance of ginger and lemongrass.

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Above is the squid steaming with lemongrass method that is delicious and simple, along with experience in choosing ingredients, preparing, and cooking so the squid keeps its natural crisp sweetness. If you love delicious squid dishes, do not forget to check out dried squid and seasoned flattened dried squid at Ola Squid for more appealing choices.