calamari salad

Calamari Salad

Tender calamari is simmered briefly until just cooked, then sliced and tossed with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs. Crisp vegetables such as celery, green olives, red onion, and parsley are often added, creating a light, refreshing salad with bright Mediterranean flavors.

As the salad rests, the calamari absorbs the citrus and aromatics while remaining tender and delicate. Gentle mixing ensures the ingredients are evenly coated without becoming tough. The preparation emphasizes precise cooking, fresh ingredients, and balanced seasoning to produce a vibrant seafood salad with clean, zesty flavor.

Print Recipe
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Resting Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 28 minutes
Salad
Italian
Servings: 6

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. calamari, preferably smaller
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • ½ cup green olives, sliced
  • ¼ cup red onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • ¼ cup Italian parsley, chopped
  • 4 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Clean and rinse calamari, then cut into rings. Cut any large tentacle pieces in half.
  • Place calamari in bowl and cover with water. Add baking soda and salt. Let the calamari soak for 15 minutes.
  • In a bowl, combine celery, olives, red onion, garlic, and parsley with lemon juice and olive oil.
  • Bring a pot of water to boil and fill a bowl with ice water.
  • Drain and rinse the calamari, then add to boiling water for 2 minutes (3 for larger squid tubes) or until cooked through.
  • Remove the cooked calamari from the pot and place them in an ice water bath until they are cooled.
  • Add the calamari rings to bowl of vegetables, mix well, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Cover the bowl and let it rest in the refrigerator to let the flavors combine. Before serving, add additional olive oil, lemon, or salt to taste.