Ultimate Spicy Stir-Fried Squid (Asian-Style)

Description

This Spicy Stir-Fried Squid is a bold, fiery Asian-inspired dish featuring tender squid tossed with colorful vegetables in a rich, savory, and spicy sauce. The key to this dish is high heat, short cooking time, and a perfectly balanced sauce that delivers heat, umami, sweetness, and depth without overpowering the delicate texture of the squid.

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⏱ Cooking Time

• Preparation time: 20 minutes

• Cooking time: 8–10 minutes

• Total time: ~30 minutes

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🍽 Yield

• Serves: 2–3 people

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🧾 Ingredients

Squid

• 500 g fresh squid (cleaned, skin removed)

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lemon juice (for cleaning)

Vegetables

• 1 medium red onion, sliced

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 2 fresh red chilies, sliced

• 1 green chili or jalapeño, sliced (optional)

• 2 stalks green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Cooking Oil

• 2 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)

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🌶 Spicy Sauce (Very Important)

Mix in a bowl:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1½ tbsp oyster sauce

• 1 tbsp chili paste (gochujang, sambal oelek, or chili garlic paste)

• 1 tbsp chili oil

• 1 tsp sugar (or honey for a softer sweetness)

• 1 tsp rice vinegar

• 1 tsp minced garlic

• ½ tsp grated fresh ginger

• ½ tsp ground cumin (optional, adds depth)

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (for glossy sauce)

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🔪 Preparation Steps (DO NOT SKIP)

1. Clean the Squid Properly

• Rub squid with salt and vinegar.

• Rinse thoroughly under cold water.

• Slice into rings or bite-sized strips.

• Pat dry completely (very important to avoid water release).

2. Blanch the Squid (Texture Control Step)

• Bring water to a rapid boil.

• Add squid and cook 30–40 seconds ONLY.

• Immediately drain and rinse with ice-cold water.

• Drain well and set aside.

This step prevents rubbery squid and shortens stir-fry time.

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🍳 Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Heat the Pan

Heat a wok or heavy pan over high heat until lightly smoking. Add oil.

Step 2: Stir-Fry Aromatics

Add garlic and ginger. Stir quickly for 5–10 seconds until fragrant (do not burn).

Step 3: Cook Vegetables

Add onion and bell peppers. Stir-fry for 1–2 minutes. Vegetables should remain crisp.

Step 4: Add Squid

Add blanched squid. Toss rapidly on high heat for 30–60 seconds.

Step 5: Sauce Time

Pour in the prepared sauce. Stir constantly for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.

Step 6: Finish

Turn off heat. Add sliced chilies and sesame seeds. Toss once more.

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🍽 Serving Suggestions

• Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice

• Excellent with cold beer

• Can be wrapped in lettuce leaves for balance

• Add cucumber or pickled radish on the side

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🔥 Pro Cooking Tips

• High heat is non-negotiable

• Never cook squid longer than 2 minutes in the pan

• If water releases, increase heat and keep tossing

• For extra smokiness, use a carbon steel wok

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🌏 Variations

Korean Style

• Use gochujang + gochugaru

• Add cabbage and sesame oil

Chinese Style

• Add Shaoxing wine

• Skip cumin, add fermented black bean paste

Thai Style

• Add fish sauce and Thai basil

• Finish with lime juice

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🧮 Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~320 kcal

• Protein: ~32 g

• Fat: ~12 g

• Carbs: ~18 g