Spicy and Savory Stir-Fried Squid: The Ultimate Recipe
Stir-Fried Squid with a Kick! Perfect for Dinner, a Delicious Side Dish, and a Great Way to Beat Cravings
After indulging in rich foods, especially around holidays, a spicy dish is often craved. This stir-fried squid is the perfect solution to cut through that richness. With its chewy squid and crisp vegetables, it’s an ideal dish for both a hearty meal and a satisfying snack. We’re revealing our secret sauce recipe that will make this a guaranteed hit with everyone!
Main Ingredients- 1 Squid (body approx. 20cm / 8 inches)
- 1 Green Chili Pepper
- 1 Red Chili Pepper
- 1/2 Onion (medium)
- 1/4 Carrot (medium)
- 1/2 Scallion (green onion, white part mainly)
Spicy Secret Sauce- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, or 2 Tbsp for extra spice)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce (for umami!)
- 1 tsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup or Rice Syrup (for gloss and sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine, to remove gamey smell)
- A pinch of Sesame Oil (for nutty aroma)
- A sprinkle of Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
- A pinch of Grated Ginger (for flavor boost! Optional)
- A pinch of Black Pepper (for finish)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, or 2 Tbsp for extra spice)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce (for umami!)
- 1 tsp Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup or Rice Syrup (for gloss and sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine, to remove gamey smell)
- A pinch of Sesame Oil (for nutty aroma)
- A sprinkle of Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
- A pinch of Grated Ginger (for flavor boost! Optional)
- A pinch of Black Pepper (for finish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing the squid. Remove the skin and make diagonal slashes on the inside of the squid body. These scores help the sauce penetrate better and improve the texture. Create a cross-hatch pattern by scoring in opposite diagonal directions.
Step 2
Cut the scored squid body into bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces about 3cm wide and 2cm long, making them easy to eat in one go.
Step 3
To achieve a tender yet chewy texture, briefly blanch the squid. Once it turns opaque white, immediately remove it from the boiling water, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking, and drain thoroughly. This step is crucial to prevent the squid from becoming tough.
Step 4
Slice the carrot in half lengthwise, then cut it into strips about 0.5cm thick. This ensures the carrot cooks evenly with the squid.
Step 5
Cut the scallion into large pieces. You can slice them diagonally or cut them into long strips, similar in length to the squid pieces. This allows the onion’s sweetness to infuse into the dish.
Step 6
Remove the seeds from the green and red chili peppers and slice them diagonally. These add both color and a pleasant spicy aroma.
Step 7
Thinly slice the onion into strips. Ensure the slices are thin so they absorb the sauce well and cook nicely with the other ingredients.
Step 8
Now, let’s make the flavor-packed sauce! In a bowl, combine gochujang, gochugaru, minced garlic, oyster sauce, sugar, corn syrup, soy sauce, mirin, grated ginger (if using), and black pepper. Mix well until there are no lumps. Feel free to adjust the sugar and corn syrup amounts to your preference.
Step 9
In a bowl, combine the blanched and drained squid with the prepared sauce. Mix gently to coat the squid evenly. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. While it marinates, you can prepare the vegetables for stir-frying.
Step 10
Heat a stir-fry pan over medium heat and add some cooking oil. Sauté the scallions until fragrant to create scallion oil. Then, add the sliced onions, carrots, and chili peppers, stir-frying them briefly until they are tender-crisp. Finally, add the marinated squid and stir-fry quickly over high heat until cooked through. Turn off the heat, drizzle with sesame oil, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Your delicious spicy stir-fried squid is ready to be enjoyed with a bowl of hot steamed rice!
