Grilled Calamari Recipe: How to Grill Calamari
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Aug 21, 2024 • 2 min read
Mediterranean-inspired grilled calamari is quick and simple to prepare for a meal or mezze platter. Learn how to grill calamari at home.
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What Is Grilled Calamari?
Grilled calamari is a preparation of squid cooked over an open fire or on a gas or charcoal grill. Crispy, deep-fried calamari is a classic appetizer, but grilling it brings out a whole other side of this seafood. Smoky char adds flavor to the tender, almost sweet meat. Like many seafood dishes, a few simple garnishes—like lemon juice and Italian parsley—are all it needs to shine.
4 Tips for Making Grilled Calamari
There is one general rule for cooking calamari: Cook it quickly over high heat or slowly over low heat. Here are a few more tips to consider:
- 1. Clean the squid. Cleaning squid is relatively simple. On a cutting board, slice along one side of each calamari tube, so you can lay them out flat into calamari steaks. (You can also ask a fishmonger to do this.) Rinse the steaks well under cold water. Learn more about how to clean squid.
- 2. Tenderize the meat. If you have time, tenderize the meat. Soak the squid in lemon juice for thirty minutes before cooking; the acidity will help break down the meat. Alternatively, soak the calamari in milk overnight, covered and refrigerated.
- 3. Watch the clock. Like octopus and shrimp, calamari cooks swiftly on the grill and can turn from chewy to rubbery all too quickly. Monitor the seafood as you cook it to ensure it stays tender.
- 4. Try different preparations. Grilled calamari is as delicious hot off the BBQ as it is chopped and tossed into a salad. Try pairing it with refreshing Mediterranean seasonings (like fresh thyme sprigs, olives, and citrus juice), or with a simple yet complexly flavored pan sauce of sautéed cherry tomatoes, chopped garlic, a dash of fish sauce, and some butter. Or, serve the calamari with a dipping sauce like homemade lemon aioli.
Garlic-Butter Grilled Calamari Recipe
makes
prep time
15 mintotal time
20 mincook time
5 minIngredients
- 1
Build a charcoal or wood fire, or preheat a gas grill to high heat.
- 2
With a sharp knife, cut one side of each tube-shaped squid body so that you can lay the squid flat.
- 3
Use paper towels to pat the squid steaks dry.
- 4
In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and dried thyme.
- 5
Brush the squid with the marinade, or dip them into the marinade to coat.
- 6
Take 4 metal skewers (or 4 wooden skewers, soaked in water) and thread 3 squid steaks onto each skewer. Set them aside.
- 7
In a small saucepan set over medium-low heat, combine the butter, olive oil, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and saffron until the garlic is fragrant and translucent, approximately 1–2 minutes. Set it aside.
- 8
Place the squid onto the hot grill and cook until opaque and firm, flipping the skewers halfway through, about 2–3 minutes total.
- 9
Transfer the squid to a serving dish, remove the skewers, and pour the butter sauce over them.
- 10
Top with herbs and freshly cracked black pepper and serve with crusty bread.
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