22 Calamari Recipes - Easy Ideas For Fresh & Frozen - Foodiosity (2024)

5. Calamari Fra Diavolo

Spicy Seafood Pasta

Calamari Fra Diavolo offers a spicy twist on traditional seafood pasta. Tender calamari is simmered in a robust and fiery tomato sauce and served over al dente pasta.

Impress Your Guests

This vibrant dish is perfect for dinner parties or romantic evenings at home. Its fiery flavors will surely impress your guests.

Modify to Suit Your Taste

Feel free to adjust the spice level to suit your personal preference or substitute the pasta for a gluten-free or whole grain alternative.

Check this recipe.

6. Calamari and White Bean Salad

A Fresh, Nutrient-Packed Salad

This calamari and white bean salad is a light, nutritious dish that combines tender calamari with creamy white beans and crisp veggies, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette.

Ideal for a Light Lunch

Enjoy this salad for a light yet satisfying lunch. It’s packed with protein and fiber to keep you full and energized throughout the day.

Customize Your Salad

Feel free to swap out the white beans for chickpeas or add extra veggies for more crunch and color.

Check this recipe.

7. Calamari Pizza

An Unexpected Topping

Calamari pizza offers a unique spin on a classic dish. This recipe features a crisp pizza crust topped with a creamy sauce, tender calamari, and a blend of cheeses.

Read also:29 Scallop Side Dishes

Perfect for Pizza Night

Change up your usual pizza night with this delicious and unusual recipe. It’s a fun way to introduce seafood into your pizza topping rotation.

Make It Your Own

Customize this pizza with your favorite toppings. Add additional seafood, different cheeses, or a variety of veggies.

Check this recipe.

8. Calamari Risotto

A Creamy, Comforting Dish

This calamari risotto is a rich and creamy dish that combines arborio rice with tender calamari and a flavorful broth. The result is a satisfying meal that’s full of depth and flavor.

Ideal for Dinner Parties

This elegant dish is perfect for dinner parties or special occasions. Your guests will be impressed with the homemade risotto.

Add Your Favorite Ingredients

Feel free to add your favorite seafood, herbs, or veggies to this recipe to customize it to your tastes.

Check this recipe.

9. Thai Calamari Salad

A Zesty Asian-Inspired Salad

This Thai calamari salad features tender calamari tossed with fresh herbs, crisp veggies, and a spicy-sweet dressing. It’s a refreshing and flavorful dish that will transport you to the beaches of Thailand.

Perfect for Hot Days

Enjoy this salad on a hot day for a light and refreshing meal. The flavors are bright and bold, perfect for waking up your taste buds.

Customize Your Salad

Add additional veggies, swap the herbs, or adjust the spice level to suit your tastes.

Check this recipe.

10. Calamari and Chorizo Paella

A Spanish Delight

This calamari and chorizo paella is a vibrant, flavorful dish that combines tender calamari with smoky chorizo, saffron-infused rice, and a variety of colorful vegetables.

Ideal for Sharing

Paella is perfect for sharing, making it a great dish for family dinners or parties. Your guests will love the combination of flavors and textures.

Customize to Your Liking

Feel free to add additional seafood, swap the chorizo for chicken, or add your favorite vegetables.

Check this recipe.

11. Calamari with Garlic and Parsley

A Simple yet Flavorful Dish

This calamari with garlic and parsley recipe is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy calamari. The squid is sautéed with fragrant garlic and fresh parsley, creating a dish that’s packed with flavor.

Perfect for Quick Meals

This dish is quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. Serve it with crusty bread and a side salad for a complete meal.

Customizable Ingredients

Feel free to add your favorite spices or herbs to this recipe, or pair it with a creamy aioli for dipping.

Check this recipe.

12. Calamari with Romesco Sauce

A Spanish Classic

This calamari with romesco sauce recipe pairs tender, golden calamari with a robust and flavorful Spanish sauce made from roasted peppers, tomatoes, and almonds.

Great as an Appetizer

Serve this dish as an appetizer at your next gathering. The unique romesco sauce will be a delightful surprise for your guests.

Add Your Personal Touch

Feel free to modify this recipe to suit your preferences. Add some heat to the sauce, or serve the calamari with a different dipping sauce.

Check this recipe.

13. Calamari Tempura

Japanese-Style Calamari

This calamari tempura recipe offers a unique way to enjoy calamari. The squid is lightly battered and deep-fried until golden and crispy, then served with a dipping sauce.

Perfect for Snacking

Enjoy calamari tempura as a snack or an appetizer. Its light and crispy texture makes it perfect for any occasion.

Customize Your Dipping Sauce

Experiment with different dipping sauces to find your favorite combination. A soy-based sauce or a spicy mayo would pair beautifully with the calamari.

Check this recipe.

14. Calamari Stir-Fry

A Quick and Easy Meal

This calamari stir-fry is a fast and flavorful dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. It features tender calamari and colorful veggies all tossed in a savory sauce.

Perfect for Busy Nights

When you’re short on time, this stir-fry comes together quickly and delivers big on flavor.

Customize Your Stir-Fry

Add your favorite vegetables, switch up the sauce, or serve over your choice of rice or noodles.

Check this recipe.

I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring these 22 yummy calamari recipes as much as I have. Now you’re ready to impress your family and friends with a menu bursting with seafood delights. Remember, cooking is all about creativity and fun, so feel free to play around with these recipes and make them your own. And most importantly, have a blast cooking and tasting these delectable calamari dishes.

22 Calamari Recipes - Easy Ideas For Fresh & Frozen - Foodiosity (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to cooking calamari? ›

Soak the rings in a solution of salted milk for 30 minutes (refrigerated) before cooking. I shared this earlier, but this is the trick to tenderizing the calamari meat and it also helps tame the fishy taste. For crispy fried calamari, coat the rings in a mixture of flour, cornstarch, and baking powder!

How do you cook calamari so it's tender? ›

I also soak my calamari in a water, baking soda, and salt bath for 15 minutes before frying to help ensure a more tender texture. Some people prefer to soak in milk as the lactic acid helps to tenderize the calamari. If you choose to do this, use enough milk to cover the calamari. This will also yield a thicker batter.

How do you cook frozen raw calamari? ›

To deep-fry frozen calamari rings, preheat your oil to 375°F (190°C). Place the frozen rings in the hot oil and cook for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan to maintain an even cooking temperature. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Why do you soak calamari in milk? ›

The secret is in marinating the calamari in milk overnight!

Dairy products like yoghurt and milk are the best natural tenderisers. Cut your squid into rings and place with the tentacles in a large mixing bowl.

How do you get batter to stick to calamari? ›

Use a small sieve to lightly dust the squid pieces with rice flour or regular flour. This will help the batter adhere to the squid. Dip squid pieces in batter and fry in hot oil: Working in small batches at a time (about 6 pieces), dip the squid pieces in the batter.

How do you keep batter from falling off calamari? ›

Dredge the cut up calamari in seasoned flour, making sure it is well coated, and shake off the excess. If you have a sifter, that'll make the job easier. Assuming you've got a sifter, dredge the calamari in flour, throw it into the sifter and shake it until all of the excess flour falls through.

Does calamari get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Squid is a delicate seafood that becomes rubbery if overcooked. It is best to cook squid for a short period of time to keep it tender. Depending on the size of the squid and the cooking method used, it usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes per side on high heat.

How do you know when calamari are cooked enough? ›

Here are some signs that indicate calamari is cooked:
  1. Color Change:Raw calamari is translucent and white. When cooked, it turns opaque and firm. ...
  2. Texture:Cooked calamari should have a firm yet tender texture. ...
  3. Curling:Calamari rings naturally curl when cooked.
Feb 1, 2024

Should I rinse calamari before cooking? ›

4 Rinse squid body and tentacles before cooking. Slice body crosswise into rings for salads and soups.

Should frozen calamari be defrosted before cooking? ›

Properly thawing (or slacking) frozen calamari not only preserves the high quality of the product, it ensures that you are getting the full amount of squid that you ordered! It also cuts down on overall cook time in the kitchen.

Is frozen calamari as good as fresh? ›

A resident of Greece, Nancy Gaifyllia is a cook who writes about the country's regional specialties. Frozen squid is a great choice even when fresh is available. Freezing and thawing help break down some of the tough muscle fibers making the squid more tender.

What do you serve with frozen calamari? ›

Some of the best dishes to eat with calamari are the following:
  1. Chips or mashed potatoes or potato salad.
  2. Lemon wedges.
  3. Chargrilled vegetables.
  4. Risotto.
  5. Fresh salads.
  6. Hawaiian salad with goat cheese.
Feb 28, 2024

What makes fried calamari rubbery? ›

Fried calamari gets tough when even slightly overcooked. The trick is to thaw and bring to room temperature before frying. Soak them in water and baking soda for an hour. Clean them in cold water then dry them.

Is it better to boil calamari before frying? ›

There's no need to boil the calamari before frying, this will make it tough. Set up a dredging station with the whisked eggs in one shallow bowl, and the whisked flour mixture in another. Cover the squid rings in the whisked eggs, then cover with flour. Fry in oil over medium heat until golden and cooked through.

How do you keep fried calamari crispy? ›

Just place them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet.

If you've ever seen a high-volume restaurant or fast-food chain kitchen in action, you'll notice that they keep deep-fried foods like crispy, fried chicken wings on perforated trays that act in much the same way as the cooling rack and baking sheet combination.

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