What to Make with Leaf Squid? Easy & Delicious Recipes

Leaf squid is one of the most beloved squid varieties due to its thick flesh, natural sweetness, and ability to retain freshness even when cooked in various ways. So, what delicious dishes can be made with leaf squid? Let’s explore from how to choose, prepare, to simple yet delicious dishes made from leaf squid to change up your family’s menu in this article!

What is Leaf Squid?

Leaf squid is a type of saltwater squid popular in Vietnam, favored for its thick, crispy flesh and natural sweetness. It gets its name from its very wide fins that extend almost the entire length of its body, resembling a leaf when it swims.

The body of the leaf squid is typically short and slightly flattened, with a grayish-brown or purplish skin, marked with tiny spots.

When cooked, leaf squid retains its sweetness and firm texture, making it especially suitable for grilling, steaming, frying, or stir-frying. Furthermore, thanks to its rich flavor and crispy texture, leaf squid is also a common ingredient in specialty dishes like sun-dried squid, tamarind-glazed squid, salt and chili grilled squid, etc.

How to Choose Fresh and Delicious Leaf Squid

To make delicious dishes from leaf squid, the first and most crucial step is to choose fresh squid. Here are some tips for selecting leaf squid to ensure quality and flavor:

• Fresh leaf squid has shiny skin, a dark brown or natural purplish hue, and clear, unfaded spots on its body.
• Avoid squid with pale colors and skin that peels off easily; these are signs of old or repeatedly frozen squid.
• Gently press the squid’s body with your hand. If the flesh is firm and elastic, it’s fresh. Conversely, old squid will be soft and mushy, becoming easily mushy when cooked.
• Fresh leaf squid has large, clear, and bright eyes, not cloudy or with a white film. Cloudy eyes indicate the squid is past its prime or improperly stored.
• Fresh squid has a characteristic mild fishy smell, which is pleasant. Avoid squid with a foul, ammoniated, or strange odor, as these are signs of spoilage.
• Choose squid where the head is firmly attached to the body, and the tentacles are intact and still attached to the beak. If the head is detached or the tentacles are loose, the squid may have been frozen multiple times or is no longer fresh.

How to Prepare Leaf Squid Correctly

Proper preparation will help preserve the natural sweetness of the leaf squid and reduce any unpleasant fishy odor during cooking. Here are the steps you should follow:

• Step 1 – Rinse the squid: After purchasing, rinse the squid under clean water to remove any sand, dirt, and slime from the outside. You can gently rub the squid’s body with your hands for a more thorough cleaning.
• Step 2 – Separate the head and innards: Gently pull the head away from the body using your hands or scissors, being careful not to break the ink sac inside. The tentacles can be kept for cooking if desired.
• Step 3 – Remove the thin membrane and backbone: The thin membrane surrounding the squid’s body can be peeled off for a more visually appealing dish. Also, remove the backbone (if present) from the body to prevent the dish from becoming tough or unappealing.

• Step 4 – Clean the inside of the squid body: Turn the squid body inside out and clean the insides. If there is a slimy layer inside, you can gently scrape it with a small knife to ensure the squid is completely clean.
• Step 5 – Pat dry before marinating: After cleaning, use a clean cloth or paper towel to pat the squid dry before marinating. This step helps the squid absorb seasonings evenly and retain its chewy sweetness when cooked.

What Delicious Dishes Can Be Made with Leaf Squid?

Leaf squid is an ideal ingredient for many dishes due to its thick, naturally sweet, and crispy flesh that easily absorbs seasonings. So, what delicious dishes can be made with leaf squid? Here are some delicious leaf squid dish suggestions you can try at home:

Sate Grilled Leaf Squid

Sate grilled leaf squid is an attractive dish with a rich, spicy flavor, and tender, sweet squid flesh that is evenly seasoned. This dish is not only easy to prepare but also perfect for home grilling parties. Ingredients needed:

• 2 fresh leaf squids
• Sate sauce, chili powder, honey
• Cooking oil, soy sauce, oyster sauce
• Minced lemongrass, onion, garlic

Instructions:

• Step 1: Clean the leaf squid, pat dry, then lightly score the body with a knife to help the marinade penetrate better.
• Step 2: Mix sate sauce, chili powder, honey, cooking oil, oyster sauce, soy sauce, minced lemongrass, onion, and garlic. Marinate the squid with this mixture for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
• Step 3: Arrange the squid on a grill rack and grill at 180°C for 10-15 minutes. If using charcoal, remember to flip the squid regularly to prevent burning. Perfectly grilled squid will have a slightly charred exterior, a rich sate aroma, and tender, sweet flesh inside.

Ginger Steamed Leaf Squid

Ginger steamed leaf squid is a light and easy-to-make dish that fully preserves the squid’s natural sweetness and the subtle aroma of ginger. This is an ideal choice for a light and nutritious family meal. Ingredients needed:

• 500g fresh leaf squid
• 2-3 fresh ginger roots
• Shallots, scallions, cilantro
• Seasonings: fish sauce, seasoning powder, sugar, pepper

Instructions:

• Step 1: Clean the leaf squid and cut into bite-sized pieces. If the squid still has a fishy smell, you can briefly soak it in crushed ginger water and then rinse with clean water. Peel and mince or julienne the ginger. Slice the shallots thinly. Chop the scallions.
• Step 2: Mix the sauce ingredients with fish sauce, sugar, seasoning powder, pepper, and a little minced ginger for aroma. Place ginger at the bottom of the steaming dish, then add the squid, and pour the sauce evenly over it.
• Step 3: Then, scatter sliced shallots and chopped scallions on top. Steam for about 7-10 minutes until the squid is tender.
• Step 4: Once the squid is cooked, sprinkle with cilantro and serve hot. It tastes delicious with white rice or as a filling for spring rolls. Cooked leaf squid is tender, not dry, with a balanced sweet and savory flavor, complemented by the mild spiciness of ginger.

Spicy Sauce Steamed Leaf Squid

If you’re looking for a simple yet appetizing squid dish, spicy sauce steamed leaf squid is the ideal choice. The natural sweetness of the squid combined with a spicy, slightly sour sauce creates a rich and appealing dish.

Ingredients needed:

• 500g fresh leaf squid
• Fish sauce, lime juice, sugar
• Garlic, cilantro, chili peppers

Instructions:

• Step 1: Clean the leaf squid, rub with white wine to remove any fishy smell. Lightly score the body to help the seasoning penetrate. Marinate the squid with seasoning powder and pepper for about 30 minutes.
• Step 2: Steam the squid for about 12-15 minutes until just cooked, avoiding overcooking which makes it tough.
• Step 3: Make the spicy sauce by blending garlic, chili, and cilantro, then mix with fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice to taste.
• Step 4: Once the squid is steamed, arrange it on a plate and pour the spicy sauce evenly over it. Garnish with a few sprigs of cilantro for a more attractive presentation. Spicy sauce steamed leaf squid has a tender texture, a spicy kick, and a distinctive aromatic flavor.

Scallion Steamed Leaf Squid

Scallion steamed leaf squid is fragrant with scallions and garlic, tender and sweet, with a rich sauce. It’s excellent served with hot rice or enjoyed with beer.

Ingredients:

• 2 fresh leaf squids
• 1 clove of garlic, 1 chili pepper
• Dried vermicelli noodles, scallions, cilantro
• Seasonings: cooking oil, fish sauce, oyster sauce, salt, pepper, MSG, sugar.

Instructions:

• Step 1: Clean the squid, remove the membrane, and extract the quill. Mince garlic and chili. Chop cilantro and scallions. Soak the vermicelli noodles until soft and drain.
• Step 2: Next, put garlic, chili, scallions, and cilantro in a bowl. Heat one tablespoon of cooking oil until hot and pour it over the ingredients in the bowl to release their aroma. Add oyster sauce, fish sauce, and pepper, then mix well to create a thick and fragrant sauce.
• Step 3: Blanch the squid in boiling water for about 1 minute until firm, then remove and cut into 1cm thick rings. Briefly blanch the vermicelli noodles and spread them evenly on a plate. Arrange the squid rings on top of the noodles and pour the sauce over them. Steam for about 5 minutes to complete.

Crispy Fried Leaf Squid

Among the many delicious leaf squid dishes, crispy fried leaf squid cannot be missed. This dish is visually appealing and stimulates the palate with its crispy exterior and tender, sweet squid inside. Ingredients needed:

• 500g fresh leaf squid
• 2 chicken eggs, 150g crispy flour
• Ginger, white wine (to remove fishy smell)
• Seasonings: seasoning powder, pepper, salt, cooking oil
• Chili sauce, mayonnaise for serving

Detailed preparation steps:

• Step 1: Wash the leaf squid with ginger and wine to remove any fishy smell, pat dry, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Marinate with seasoning powder, pepper, and a little cooking oil for about 30 minutes to let the flavors penetrate.
• Step 2: Beat the egg yolks, then mix with the crispy flour and a pinch of salt to create a batter with a suitable consistency.
• Step 3: Heat oil in a pan. Dredge each piece of squid in the batter and gently place it into the hot oil. Fry until the coating is golden brown and crispy.
• Step 4: Remove the squid from the oil and let it drain. Arrange on a plate. It can be served with a light and creamy mayonnaise or spicy chili sauce. Crispy fried leaf squid has a crunchy exterior and tender, naturally sweet squid inside, perfect as an appetizer or for light gatherings with friends and family.

Stir-fried Leaf Squid with Onion

Crispy and sweet squid combined with refreshing onions, a simple yet enticing dish, suitable for everyday family meals.

Ingredients needed:

• 3 large leaf squids
• 1 onion, 1 shallot
• Salt, ground pepper, cooking oil

Instructions:

• Step 1: Clean the squid, score it diagonally in a diamond pattern, then cut into bite-sized pieces. Cut the onion into wedges. Mince the shallot.
• Step 2: Heat cooking oil in a pan and stir-fry the onion briefly. Then, add the squid and stir-fry until it turns opaque. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes to ensure the squid is evenly cooked without burning.
• Step 3: Uncover and continue to stir until the liquid from the squid has mostly evaporated. Season lightly with salt and pepper to preserve the natural sweetness.

Curry Stir-fried Leaf Squid

Curry stir-fried leaf squid is a dish with a rich flavor, a harmonious blend of creamy and spicy notes from the unique combination of fresh squid and curry spices. This dish is not only delicious but also nutritious for a family meal. Ingredients:

• 500g fresh leaf squid
• 2 shallots, 2-3 potatoes
• 2-3 tablespoons curry powder and 200ml coconut milk (can substitute with fresh milk)
• Seasonings: seasoning powder, pepper, sugar, fish sauce, cooking oil

Instructions:

• Step 1: Clean the leaf squid, pat dry, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Peel and thinly slice the potatoes. Slice the shallots thinly.
• Step 2: Heat a little cooking oil in a pan, add the curry powder and stir until fragrant. Add the sliced shallots and potatoes to the pan and stir-fry until the potatoes are tender-crisp.
• Step 3: Add the squid and stir-fry evenly to coat with the spices. Then, pour in the coconut milk, and adjust the seasoning with seasoning powder, sugar, fish sauce, and pepper to taste.
• Step 4: Simmer over low heat for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and the squid has absorbed the flavors, then turn off the heat. Sprinkle with some cilantro for added aroma if desired. Curry stir-fried leaf squid has a rich and creamy aroma, tender squid that is not tough, combined with a mild spiciness and the creamy texture of potatoes, making it an excellent accompaniment to rice.

Sweet and Savory Braised Leaf Squid

Sweet and savory braised leaf squid is a flavorful dish that pairs well with rice, perfect for cozy family meals. Ingredients needed:

• 500g fresh leaf squid
• Shallots, minced garlic, fresh chili (optional)
• Seasonings: fish sauce, seasoning powder, sugar, cooking oil

Instructions for sweet and savory braised leaf squid:

• Step 1: Wash and cut the leaf squid into bite-sized pieces. Marinate the squid with fish sauce, seasoning powder, and sugar for about 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
• Step 2: Sauté minced shallots and garlic in hot oil. Add the marinated squid and stir-fry briefly until the edges are slightly browned.
• Step 3: Add the remaining marinade along with a little water to the pan. Reduce heat to low and braise the squid for about 10 minutes. When the liquid is almost reduced, season again with a little fish sauce to enhance the aroma. If you like it spicy, add a few chili slices before turning off the heat. The finished sweet and savory braised leaf squid will have a beautiful caramel color, a balanced sweet and savory taste, and tender, chewy squid that has fully absorbed the seasonings.

Mixed Vegetable Stir-fried Leaf Squid

Mixed vegetable stir-fried leaf squid is a colorful dish where crispy, sweet squid is combined with fresh vegetables, perfect for a family meal or as a nutritious stir-fry.

Ingredients:

• 400g leaf squid
• 100g green peas and 6 baby corn cobs
• 1 bunch of green bok choy and 1 carrot
• Shiitake mushrooms, shallots, scallions, celery, leeks
• Seasonings: salt, pepper, cooking oil, seasoning powder, etc.

Instructions:

• Step 1: Clean the squid, score it diagonally, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Wash and drain all vegetables: slice the carrots, halve the baby corn if large, soak the shiitake mushrooms until soft. Mince the shallots. Cut scallions, celery, and leeks into sections.
• Step 2: Sauté minced shallots in cooking oil until fragrant. Add the squid and stir-fry quickly over high heat, season to taste, then transfer to a plate.
• Step 3: Using the same pan, stir-fry the bok choy, green peas, baby corn, and shiitake mushrooms. When the vegetables are nearly cooked, return the squid to the pan, stir-fry together for another 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with pepper and adjust seasoning one last time.

Bamboo Shoot Stir-fried Leaf Squid

This dish has a rich flavor, fragrant with chili and garlic. The crispy, sweet squid blends with the seasoned bamboo shoots, making it very appetizing.

Ingredients:

• 1 leaf squid
• 300g boiled bamboo shoots, 3 scallions
• ½ bulb of garlic and 6-7 dried chilies (or ½ horn chili pepper)
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• Ground pepper, cooking oil, cilantro

Instructions:

• Step 1: Clean the squid and cut into bite-sized pieces. Reboil the bamboo shoots and drain them. Cut the scallions into sections and mince the garlic. Leave the dried chilies whole or cut them into small pieces as desired.
• Step 2: Sauté minced garlic and chili in hot oil until fragrant. Then, add the squid and stir-fry quickly with oyster sauce and pepper until aromatic.
• Step 3: Add the bamboo shoots to the pan and stir-fry until cooked. Season with fish sauce and other seasonings to taste. Finally, add the scallions, stir well, and turn off the heat.

Sweet and Sour Stir-fried Leaf Squid

Ingredients:

• 300g leaf squid
• 1 onion and 1 tomato
• Cucumber, pineapple, celery, bell pepper, button mushrooms
• Garlic, shallots
• Seasonings: salt, seasoning powder, cooking oil, etc.

Instructions:

• Step 1: Wash and cut the leaf squid into bite-sized pieces, then marinate with salt and seasoning powder for about 10 minutes. Slice the onion into wedges. Cut the tomato, cucumber, pineapple into pieces. Julienne the bell pepper, cut the celery into sections, and mince the shallots and garlic.
• Step 2: Then, sauté minced shallots and garlic in cooking oil until fragrant. Add the squid and stir-fry quickly over high heat until it turns opaque, then transfer to a plate.
• Step 3: Add more oil to the pan, and stir-fry the onion, cucumber, bell pepper, button mushrooms, and pineapple. When the vegetables are almost cooked, add the squid back to the pan, stir well, and adjust seasoning.
• Step 4: Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the flavors meld, then turn off the heat. Serve hot.

Some Notes When Cooking Leaf Squid

Leaf squid is a nutritious seafood, with thick, sweet, and moderately chewy flesh, making it very suitable for various cooking methods such as stir-frying, steaming, grilling, deep-frying, etc. However, to ensure the dish retains its freshness and doesn’t become fishy or tough, you should pay attention to the following points:

• Squid can easily become tough if overcooked. Therefore, when stir-frying or deep-frying, cook quickly over high heat to firm up the squid while maintaining its tender sweetness.
• Leaf squid already has a natural sweetness, so when cooking, you only need to lightly season with salt, pepper, seasoning powder, or fish sauce.
• It’s advisable to score the squid body in a diamond pattern before cooking. This method helps the squid absorb seasonings more evenly and creates a beautiful appearance when cooked (the squid will curl up and not shrink).
• Cut the squid into bite-sized pieces, not too small, to avoid shrinkage and loss of crispiness after cooking.
• If you are not using it immediately, store the squid in the freezer, preferably in a zip-lock bag or a sealed container to prevent odor transfer.
• When defrosting, do not soak in water for a long time. Instead, let it defrost naturally or place it in the refrigerator a few hours in advance to maintain its freshness.

We hope that this article has helped answer the question “what delicious dishes can be made with leaf squid?” and provided you with more dish suggestions for your family meals. If you have any further questions or want to explore more recipes for fresh and dried squid, don’t forget to visit the website olasquid.com!