What to Cook with Cuttlefish? Easy & Delicious Homemade Recipes

Cuttlefish stands out with its thick, slightly sweet, and lightly crispy flesh, making it a popular choice for many family meals. Whether stir-fried, steamed, grilled, or deep-fried, cuttlefish always offers a distinctive flavor that easily pleases the palates of both adults and children. So, what delicious dishes can be made from cuttlefish? Let’s discover some simple, authentic preparation methods below to refresh your daily menu!

What is Cuttlefish?

Characteristics and Nutritional Value of Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish is a mollusk belonging to the class Cephalopoda, related to octopuses and squids. They have a characteristic oval, slightly round body, about 15-25cm long, with thick, bright white flesh. Their bodies are adorned with eight arms and two long tentacles, equipped with serrated suckers for effective prey capture.

Beyond their impressive appearance, cuttlefish are also recognized for their high intelligence. Recent studies indicate that their brains are remarkably large compared to most invertebrates.

Nutritionally, cuttlefish is a high-quality source of protein, low in fat, rich in vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium. These components help support the nervous system, boost immunity, benefit cardiovascular health, and improve brain function.

Are Cuttlefish Eggs Edible?

Cuttlefish eggs are not only edible but are also considered a delicacy in coastal regions, particularly in Phan Thiet. The eggs are rhombus-shaped, opaque white, and are most abundant during the squid’s breeding season, typically from February to May of the lunar calendar. This is also the time when local people diligently harvest the eggs, separating them for preparation, while the cuttlefish bodies are dried or preserved in other ways.

On average, it takes about 10-12 kg of cuttlefish to yield 1 kg of eggs, making this food item quite rare and precious. Cuttlefish eggs can be prepared in various ways, such as steaming with ginger, frying with fish sauce, grilling over charcoal, or making into patties. Their mild creaminess, aroma, and unique taste make cuttlefish egg dishes a favorite for many.

How to Clean Cuttlefish for Delicious Cooking

Proper preparation is a crucial step to ensure cuttlefish retains its natural sweetness, crispiness, and remains free of any fishy odor. You can follow these simple steps:

• Step 1 – Slit the belly and remove the innards: Use a small knife to gently make a lengthwise slit along the cuttlefish’s belly to expose the intestines. Remove all the innards and the ink sac, being careful not to break the ink sac, which can stain and make the flesh bitter.
• Step 2 – Remove the quill and peel the membrane: Gently pull out the cuttlefish quill (the transparent backbone inside the body). As you remove it, also pull away the thin membrane clinging to the inside to ensure the flesh is clean and less tough.

• Step 3 – Remove the eyes and beak: Cut off the eyes and the beak (located between the tentacles) to ensure the dish is free of grit or a sandy texture when eaten.
• Step 4 – Rinse and remove the fishy smell: Rinse the cuttlefish thoroughly with clean water multiple times. To effectively remove any fishy odor, soak the cuttlefish for about 3-5 minutes in a mixture of ginger water, white wine, or diluted lime juice, then rinse again.
• Step 5 – Drain the water: Finally, drain the cuttlefish completely before cooking to preserve its flavor and firm texture.

What Delicious Dishes Can Be Made from Cuttlefish?

Cuttlefish is a familiar ingredient in Vietnamese kitchens due to its thick, naturally crispy and sweet flesh, which is easily prepared into many appealing dishes. Here are some delicious cuttlefish dish suggestions you can make at home:

Stir-fried Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish Stir-fried with Lemongrass and Chili

Cuttlefish stir-fried with lemongrass and chili is a rustic dish that consistently ranks as a top choice for its rich flavor and quick preparation. The tender and sweet cuttlefish flesh, when stir-fried with minced lemongrass and fresh chili over high heat, releases a characteristic aroma that masks any fishiness and stimulates the appetite.

The pungent spiciness of the chili combined with the refreshing scent of lemongrass, plus the savory depth of fish sauce, makes each piece of cuttlefish intensely flavorful and irresistibly delicious. This dish is ideal for cool days or for meals that need a touch of fiery flavor to balance the palate.

Sweet and Sour Cuttlefish Stir-fry

Sweet and sour cuttlefish stir-fry is an easy-to-make yet incredibly appetizing dish. Tender and crispy cuttlefish is stir-fried to perfection, coated evenly in sauce, and combined with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, creating a delicious and visually appealing meal. The balanced sweet and sour flavor enhances the natural taste of the cuttlefish, making it suitable for family dinners or light weekend gatherings.

Cuttlefish Stir-fried with Onion

Cuttlefish stir-fried with onion is a harmonious combination of the rich sweetness of cuttlefish and the crisp, lightly fragrant texture of onions. When stir-fried over high heat, the cuttlefish quickly firms up, retaining its characteristic crispiness, while the onions are cooked just right, remaining fresh and naturally sweet. The dish is seasoned moderately with ingredients like fish sauce, pepper, and a touch of sugar, creating a rich flavor.

Cuttlefish Stir-fried with Pineapple

What delicious dishes can be made from cuttlefish? Then you can consider the cuttlefish stir-fried with pineapple dish. The chewy and crispy cuttlefish absorbs the seasoning perfectly, blending with the naturally sweet and sour taste of pineapple to create a dish that is both rich and balanced in flavor. This dish is suitable for everyday family meals and is an ideal choice when you want to vary your menu with a light, fresh, yet nutritious option.

Grilled Cuttlefish

Grilled Cuttlefish with Scallion Oil

Grilled cuttlefish with scallion oil is a beloved dish enjoyed by many for its fragrant aroma and simple preparation. Fresh cuttlefish, after being cleaned, is lightly marinated with seasonings and then grilled in an oven or over charcoal until the skin is slightly charred, releasing an appealing characteristic aroma.

Hot, rich scallion oil is drizzled generously over the cuttlefish right after grilling, creating an unforgettable rich dish. Enjoying grilled cuttlefish with scallion oil with a side of sweet and sour dipping sauce or chili sauce will stimulate the palate and make the meal more complete.

Grilled Cuttlefish with Satay Sauce

Grilled cuttlefish with satay sauce combines the distinctive spicy kick of satay with the natural sweetness of cuttlefish flesh. Fresh cuttlefish is meticulously cleaned, then evenly marinated with a fragrant satay mixture, along with seasonings like garlic, chili, and a little sugar to balance the spiciness and sweetness.

When grilled over charcoal, the cuttlefish cooks evenly, its flesh becoming firm yet retaining its tenderness and sweetness, while the satay coating penetrates deeply, creating a rich, appealing crust. This dish is best enjoyed with fresh herbs and a spicy-sweet dipping sauce to cool the palate and enhance the overall harmony of flavors.

Grilled Cuttlefish with Green Chili Salt

Grilled cuttlefish with green chili salt makes a strong impression with its rich flavor and the freshness of the ingredients. After cleaning, the cuttlefish is lightly scored to allow the marinade to penetrate evenly. It is then marinated with a mixture of coarse salt and pounded green chili. A little cooking oil, garlic, and lime juice are added to create a stimulating salty, sour, and spicy taste.

Each piece of cuttlefish, grilled to a golden brown, emits a strong aroma of chili salt mixed with the scent of fresh grilled cuttlefish, making it irresistible. The firm, naturally sweet flesh, combined with a slight spicy tingle and a mild saltiness on the tongue, results in a delightful dish.

Steamed Cuttlefish

Steamed Cuttlefish with Ginger

Steamed cuttlefish with ginger offers a light, delicate flavor that fully preserves the natural sweetness of the cuttlefish. After cleaning, the cuttlefish is cut into bite-sized pieces, lightly seasoned with salt and white wine to remove any fishy smell. Thinly sliced ginger, interspersed with a few scallion stalks and the cuttlefish, are placed in a steamer and steamed for about 7-10 minutes until just cooked.

The cooked cuttlefish has a slight crispiness, is naturally sweet, not tough, and importantly, not overpowered by seasonings. When serving, you can dip it in ginger fish sauce or salt and pepper with lime to enhance the flavor. This dish is very suitable for family meals, especially on cool days.

Steamed Cuttlefish with Beer

Steamed cuttlefish with beer is a delicious and nutritious dish that doesn’t require many complicated seasonings. Beer helps eliminate the fishy smell and makes the cuttlefish flesh more tender while retaining its attractive chewy texture. When steamed, the aroma of beer blends with bruised lemongrass, a few slices of fresh ginger, and chili, creating a distinctive and irresistible fragrance.

The cuttlefish is cleaned, cut into bite-sized pieces, arranged in a steamer with lemongrass, ginger, and fresh chili, then beer is poured into the bottom of the pot. Steaming for about 10-12 minutes results in perfectly cooked, translucent white cuttlefish with a delightful aroma. Steamed cuttlefish with beer is best enjoyed hot, dipped in salt and pepper with lime or ginger fish sauce.

Crispy Fried Cuttlefish

Crispy fried cuttlefish is appealing due to its golden, crispy exterior encasing the tender and sweet cuttlefish flesh inside. When battered and fried at the right temperature, the cuttlefish retains its characteristic slight chewiness, while the crispy outer layer provides an enjoyable texture.

This dish is perfect as an appetizer, a snack for gatherings, or served with hot rice. Adding some chili sauce, mayonnaise, or sweet and sour fish sauce will further enhance the flavor, making you praise its deliciousness with every bite.

Cuttlefish Cake

Cuttlefish cake is one of the most appealing and flavorful dishes, highly favored in Vietnamese cuisine. Unlike other common cuttlefish cakes, cakes made from cuttlefish offer a chewier, thicker, and sweeter texture.

After cleaning, the cuttlefish is minced or pounded with a little pork belly, shallots, pepper, and seasonings to taste. The well-mixed mixture is then shaped into small, flat patties and pan-fried in hot oil until golden brown, with a slightly charred, crispy surface that emits a delightful aroma. You can enjoy this cuttlefish cake with white rice, sticky rice, vermicelli, or as an appetizer at parties.

Cuttlefish Salad

Cuttlefish salad is a refreshing and delicious dish to vary your family meals or serve as an appetizer at parties. Thanks to its thick, crispy, chewy, and naturally sweet flesh, cuttlefish in salad is not fishy but retains its freshness and savory flavor.

After cleaning, the cuttlefish is lightly boiled or blanched in boiling water and then sliced thinly. The accompanying vegetables can be varied according to taste, typically including shredded green mango, carrots, cucumbers, thinly sliced soaked onions, Vietnamese mint, etc. Everything is mixed with a pre-made sweet and sour fish sauce dressing made from good fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, pounded garlic, and chili. Finally, sprinkle with some crushed roasted peanuts and fresh herbs to complete the dish.

What is the Price of 1kg of Cuttlefish?

The current price of cuttlefish is quite flexible, depending on the type and preservation method. Specifically, fresh cuttlefish is usually sold at prices ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 VND/kg, while frozen or imported cuttlefish ranges from 100,000 to 250,000 VND/kg. For dried cuttlefish, the common price is around 100,000 to 250,000 VND/kg, depending on the dryness and quality of the squid.

Additionally, seasonal cuttlefish eggs (from February to May of the lunar calendar) are also sold at coastal seafood markets like Phan Thiet, with prices ranging from 190,000 VND/kg. Consumers can purchase cuttlefish at markets, supermarkets, seafood stores, or through e-commerce channels. However, it is advisable to choose reputable suppliers to ensure freshness and food safety.

Cuttlefish is a nutritious ingredient, easy to prepare, and suitable for many delicious dishes such as stir-fried, steamed, grilled cuttlefish, or cuttlefish salad. We hope this article has helped answer your question “what delicious dishes can be made from cuttlefish?” and provided you with more meal ideas for your family. And if you have any further questions about squid or wish to order high-quality, reputable dried squid products, please contact Ola Squid right away!