Sautéed Calamari with Lemon-Garlic Marinade Recipe
A flavorful and tender sautéed calamari recipe featuring fresh squid marinated in a zesty lemon, garlic, and oregano dressing, then pan-seared to perfection. This dish is quick to prepare and ideal as a light main course or as part of a Mediterranean-style meze platter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-11 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
For The Sauteed Squid:
- 450 grams (10.6 ounces) medium-sized squid or calamari
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅕ teaspoon ground pepper
- ⅓ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅓ teaspoon ground coriander
For The Dressing/Marinade:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, pressed or minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, minced
- 5-6 baby capers, minced
Instructions
- Prepare The Squid: Clean the squid by separating the head from the body. Cut the legs off the body and separate the legs (or keep in pairs if small). Remove all innards and peel off the skin by hand. Slice the body into thin rings about 1 cm (0.4 inches) thick. Place in a bowl and season with salt, pepper, ⅓ teaspoon oregano, and ⅓ teaspoon coriander.
- Prepare The Dressing/Marinade: In a separate bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, minced fresh parsley, and minced baby capers. Stir well to blend the flavors.
- Saute The Squid: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a cast-iron skillet or non-stick frying pan over high heat (medium-high if using cast iron). Add the seasoned squid and cook without turning for 2-3 minutes to develop a good char and brown on one side. Continue cooking for another 8 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even browning on all sides.
- Marinate: Transfer the cooked squid to the bowl with the marinade. Stir thoroughly to coat the squid well. Let it stand for 10 minutes, or up to a couple of hours if preferred, before serving.
- Serve: Enjoy the sautéed calamari as a main dish or as part of a meze with accompaniments such as a tomato salad or Greek salad.
Notes
- Removing the squid skin is optional but improves tenderness.
- Do not overcook the squid to avoid a rubbery texture; cooking times here yield tender results.
- Marinating after cooking infuses fresh flavors without compromising texture.
- This dish pairs excellently with fresh salads and crusty bread.
