Easy Grilled Chili Salt Squid Recipe

Plate of golden-brown grilled chili salt squid garnished with herbs

Grilled chili salt squid is a tempting dish bursting with spicy, savory flavor, perfect for family dinners or get-togethers with friends. Discover how to make this delicious squid dish perfectly with our guide below!

Preparing Ingredients and Squid

Step 1: Prepare the Squid

To get delicious grilled squid, the first step is to clean the squid carefully. For fresh squid, use a knife to lightly slit the body and remove the ink sac, innards, and the quill (the clear inner “bone”). Next, peel off the outer skin, cut off the eyes, and remove the beak. Then wash the squid thoroughly with cold water to completely remove any slime inside.

Close-up of hands scoring a whole squid in a diamond pattern

To remove any fishy smell, rinse the squid with a little white wine, then rinse again with clean water. If using frozen squid that has already been cleaned, simply rinsing with white wine and clean water is sufficient.

After cleaning, score the body of the squid in a diamond pattern. This helps the marinade penetrate evenly.

Making the Marinade and Marinating

Step 2: Blend the Aromatics

Prepare peeled garlic and shallots, thinly sliced ginger, and fresh chilies (washed and dried). Add all these ingredients to a blender or food processor along with peppercorns. Blend until you have a smooth paste.

Small bowl containing smooth red chili and garlic marinade paste

Step 3: Mix the Marinade

Transfer the blended paste to a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, 1 tablespoon of pink Himalayan salt (or substitute with shrimp salt), 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of chili sauce or chili powder (for color). Mix all ingredients thoroughly.

Step 4: Marinate the Squid

Rub the marinade evenly over both sides of the scored squid. Let the squid marinate for about 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the flavors to be absorbed.

Whole squids coated in red marinade resting in a glass bowl

Grilling and Finishing

Step 5: Grill the Squid

After the squid has marinated sufficiently, place it in an air fryer to grill. Set the temperature to 180°C (350°F) and grill for 15 minutes. After the first 15 minutes, open the air fryer, flip the squid over, and grill for an additional 5 minutes at 200°C (400°F). This second blast of heat ensures the squid is perfectly cooked without becoming dry or tough.

Squid pieces grilling golden brown in an air fryer basket

Conclusion

With this simple grilled chili salt squid recipe, you can easily prepare a delicious dish right at home. Save this recipe and give it a try to treat your family and friends! Don’t forget to share your results with us in the comments section below.