Squid Salad Recipe: Light & Zesty Seafood

So here we go talking about squid. Yep, that slippery, slightly mysterious seafood that most folks really only eat fried as calamari in a restaurant. But let me tell you, treat squid properly especially in a bright and fresh salad and it gets so next level awesome. Light, healthy, tender (not chewy, promise) and bursting with flavor, Squid Salad is ideal for sunny lunches, picnic spreads or set out as a show-stopping first-course dish to impress your foodie friends.

This article will show an easy-to-make squid salad recipe that boasts lots of textures and a tangy vinaigrette that pulls it all together. We’ll also talk about how to cook squid perfectly and what you can serve alongside your salad, among other things. So let’s get to it (with the seafood pun).

🐙 Why You Should Give Squid Salad a Go

If you’re new to cooking squid, this is a good recipe to start out with. Cook very quickly, taste good, and multifaceted. Bolding dressing will match perfectly with fresh veg while mixed with school squids, making them surprisingly lean in protein.

Advantages of Squid Salad:

• High-protein, low-fat content
• Preparation time: less than thirty minutes
• You can use almost any vegetable.
• Good served warm, chilled, or at room temperature.
• Nice, refreshing alternative to standard salads.

🛒 Things You’ll Need For Squid Salad

Here’s what you’ll need for a classic Mediterranean-style squid salad, which can easily be changed down based on what’s available in any upcoming season or at the very least in your fridge.

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh squid cleaned and cut into rings

  

• 1 small red onion thinly sliced
• 1 cucumber cut lengthwise into halves and sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in halves.
• 1/2 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
• 2 tbsp capers – can be omitted, but gives nice salty kick
• 1/2 cup kalamata olives pitted and halved

Lively Lemon Dressing:

• 3 tab olive oil
• Juice of 1 large lemon
• 1 clove garlic finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of chili flakes (optional for heat)

🔪 How to Make an Authentic Squid Salad

Squid may seem complicated at first, but once you learn, it becomes an easy task. The trick is not to overcook it. So here goes:

1. Prep the squid

If whole, clean and slice into rings (tentacles are fine too!) and rinse well in cold water.

2. Quick boiling

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, put in the squid, and cook for 1-2 minutes max, until opaque and slightly firm. Drain the squid immediately, plunge it into an ice bath, and stop the cooking.

3. Prepare some greens

In a large bowl, toss the onion, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, olives, parsley, and capers.

4. Whisk the dressing

Whisk the lemon juice with olive oil, garlic, mustard, salt, pepper, and chili flakes until emulsified.

5. Toss and turn

Add back the squid to the veggies, pour on the dressing, and toss gently until well coated.

6. Chill it (optional)

While it is splendid fresh, letting the salad sit in the fridge for 30-60 minutes lends extra depths of flavor.

🍴 Pro Tips for Tender Squid

• Do not overcook! Overcooked squid becomes rubbery. So keep it to a max of 1-2 minutes.
• A cold bath is important to halt the cooking process instantly and help maintain tenderness.
• If you can get fresh squid, use it. Frozen squid will also do the trick; thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking.
• Cut the squid evenly, as this assists with even cooking and mixing.

📋 Nutritional Information about Squid Salad

This is a rough value per serving (for 4 servings):

Note: actual values may vary based on ingredients used

🌿 Customization Ideas

Are you in the mood for some creative improvising or seasonal adjustments of the salad? Any of the below fun variations would work nicely!

🌶 Asian Variation:

• Substitute the lemon juice for rice vinegar.
• Add in grated ginger, some sesame oil, and soy sauce.
• Top with sesame seeds and cilantro.

🥑 Avocado Boost:

• The addition of sliced avocado brings a fabulous creaminess.
• Top it with either feta or goat cheese.

🍊 Citrus Splash:

• Segments of orange and orange juice take the place of lemon.
• Add fresh mint and chopped fennel.

🍽 What Goes Good With Squid Salad?

With an intense flavor and very low-fat content, this salad has unlimited versatility. Serve it as:

• A light lunch by itself
• A side dish for grilled meats or steamed rice
• On arugula or quinoa
• Stuffed into pita bread with a dollop of tzatziki
• Alongside crusty bread and white wine

🥗 Make It A Meal: What To Serve?

Wanna spice up an entire meal matching your squid salad? A simple suggestive menu:

🥶 Storage & Leftovers

• Refrigerate in a sealed container and use up within 2 days.
• Squid must not be frozen as it becomes rubber when defrosted.
• Cold or room temperature serving-most people will not reheat!

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🙋‍♀️ 5 FAQs About Squid Salad

1. What is the best cleaning process for squid?

If you do not buy precleaned squid, cut off the head, pull out the insides, throw away the beak, and peel off the skin. Wash thoroughly under cold water. Most stores have now supplied cleaned squids for easier and time-saving cooking!

2. Could I grill instead of boil the squid?

Totally! Grilled squid would give smokiness that is totally great. Just coat lightly with oil and grill over very high heat for 1-2 minutes per side.

3. Is squid good or bad for health?

Yes! Protein-rich and very low fat, squid incorporates particular minerals such as selenium, copper, and vitamin B12. Squid is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, too.

4. Can it be prepared in advance before having the salad?

Of course. The flavors develop over time, so it becomes even better after being in the fridge for a few hours. Do a gentle toss before serving.

5. Other than seafood, what else can I use?

If you feel like having a mixed seafood salad, shrimp is a great fit for this recipe and so are scallops, or even cooked mussels.

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💬 Final Thoughts: A Salad That Brings the Sea to Your Table

Squid salad is one of those dishes that take the surprise factor a notch higher. Bright, clean, and satisfying with beautiful textures, it offers just the right balance of chewiness, crunchiness, and zing. One way or the other, keep this wonderful recipe in your cooking repertoire whether you want to eat light, want to try new flavors, or are in need of a showstopper of a side dish for your next gathering.

Try this one, and let yourself be whisked away with fresh lemony flavors to some dreamy coastal café. And hey—if you have a favorite variation of this concoction, leave it in the comments, as I always appreciate a new seafood challenge.

Bon appétit, my friends! 🐙💛

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Seeking a print-friendly rendition of this recipe or help for buying groceries for the squid? Just so you know, I’ve got you completely covered!