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    Home » Cooking Basics

    How to Clean Squid

    Published: Sep 15, 2023 by Nora Reyes · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. · 2 Comments

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    Learn how to clean squid through a simple and efficient method. Properly cleaned squid ensures that your seafood dishes are free from grit and have a fresh, clean taste.

    It's an essential skill to elevate your culinary creations, from Fried Calamari to Salt and Pepper Squid. Buying whole squid is more cost-effective than purchasing it pre-cleaned, and these easy steps make the cleaning process a breeze.

    Cleaned squid on a baking sheet.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredient You'll Need
    • Tools You'll Need
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • FAQs
    • More Cooking Basics You May Like
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredient You'll Need

    Fresh Squid: Purchase squid that is as fresh as possible. The fresher the squid, the easier it will be to clean and the better it will taste.

    If you would like to know more about squid, check out my comprehensive guide.

    Fresh squid on a cutting board.

    Tools You'll Need

    • A sharp knife
    • Cutting board (preferably one designated for seafood)
    • Strainer and small bowl for the ink sac (optional)

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1: Separate the head from the body

    Grasp the lower end of the body in one hand, then the area above the eyes in the other. Pull the head and the body in opposite directions, twisting slightly as you go.

    Pulling the squid head and body in opposite directions.

    Step 2: Collect the ink sac (optional)

    Skip this step if you do not need the ink sac, the small black vein that comes with the innards.

    Gently remove the sac using a knife or your fingers. Puncture and squeeze the contents into a bowl with some water or vinegar. You can use a spoon and press it against a strainer. Some ink can also be collected behind the eyes.

    Removing the ink sac using a knife. Pressing the ink sac against a strainer over a bowl.

    Step 3: Remove the beak

    Expose the beak, a round piece of inedible cartilage, by squeezing the area below the eyes. Pull it out with your fingers or cut it with a knife, then discard it.

    Squeezing the beak of the squid. Cutting the beak using a knife.

    Step 4: Detach the tentacles

    Cut off the tentacles (left photo) just below the eyes. Do not cut too far away from the eyes to keep the tentacles together. Discard the head and innards (right photo).

    Cutting the tentacles from the head of the squid. Holding the head and innards of the squid.

    Step 5: Remove the cuttlebone

    Pull out the long, plastic-like cartilage (cuttlebone) from the opening of the body. If it breaks, reach inside the body and push the rest of the cartilage through the top.

    Pulling the cartilage or cuttlebone of a squid.

    Step 6: Empty the body

    Remove whatever remains inside the body by squeezing it or inserting your fingers.

    Squeezing the inside of a squid body.

    Step 7: Remove the skin (optional)

    The skin is completely edible, but you can peel it away as an option.

    Peeling the skin of the squid.

    Step 8: Detach the fins (optional)

    Another optional step is to detach the fins from the body.

    Detaching the fins from the squid body.

    Step 9: Rinse them thoroughly

    Rinse the bodies and tentacles thoroughly under cold running water. To keep the squid fresh, you can refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

    Rinsing the inside of a squid body under running water.

    FAQs

    Why is it important to properly clean squid?

    Properly cleaning squid is crucial to remove any grit, sand, or internal organs that could compromise the texture and flavor of the dish. It helps remove potential contaminants that may pose health risks. A clean squid also cooks more evenly, whether you're quickly searing it or slow-cooking it to tenderness.

    Is frozen squid as good as fresh?

    While fresh squid is generally considered to offer the best flavor and texture, frozen squid can be a good alternative when fresh is not available. Properly thawed frozen squid can come close to the quality of fresh, especially if it was frozen shortly after being caught.

    How long to cook squid?

    Once you've successfully cleaned your squid, the cooking part is easy. Squid cooks rapidly. You can either flash-cook it for about 2 minutes on high heat or slow-cook it for 30 minutes to an hour to achieve tenderness. Cooking it for any time in between is likely to make it rubbery.

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    Did you find this helpful? I would love to know! Your feedback helps me make better recipes.  Please rate, review, or comment below. Questions about this recipe are welcome, too!

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    📖 Recipe

    Cleaned squid on a baking sheet.

    How to Clean Squid

    A simple and efficient method to ensure that your squid is free from grit and has a fresh, clean taste.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Ingredient
    Cuisine: Filipino
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 3
    Calories: 139kcal
    Author: Nora Rey
    Cost: $4-$6

    Equipment

    • A sharp knife
    • Cutting board (preferably one designated for seafood)
    • Strainer and small bowl for the ink sac (optional)

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound squid

    Instructions

    • SEPARATE THE HEAD FROM THE BODY
      Grasp the lower end of the body in one hand, then the area above the eyes in the other. Pull the head and the body in opposite directions, twisting slightly as you go.
    • COLLECT THE INK SAC (OPTIONAL)
      Skip this step if you do not need the ink sac, the small black vein that comes with the innards.
      Gently remove the sac using a knife or your fingers. Puncture and squeeze the contents into a bowl with some water or vinegar. You can use a spoon and press it against a strainer. Some ink can also be collected behind the eyes.
    • REMOVE THE BEAK
      Expose the beak, a round piece of inedible cartilage, by squeezing the area below the eyes. Pull it out with your fingers or cut it with a knife, then discard it.
    • DETACH THE TENTACLES
      Cut off the tentacles just below the eyes. Do not cut too far away from the eyes to keep the tentacles together. Discard the head and innards.
    • REMOVE THE CUTTLEBONE
      Pull out the long, plastic-like cartilage (cuttlebone) from the opening of the body. If it breaks, reach inside the body and push the rest of the cartilage through the top.
    • EMPTY THE BODY
      Remove whatever remains inside the body by squeezing it or inserting your fingers.
    • REMOVE THE SKIN (OPTIONAL)
      The skin is completely edible, but you can peel it away as an option.
    • DETACH THE FINS (OPTIONAL)
      Another optional step is to detach the fins from the body.
    • RINSE THEM THOROUGHLY
      Rinse the bodies and tentacles thoroughly under cold running water. To keep the squid fresh, you can refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 24gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 352mgSodium: 67mgPotassium: 372mgVitamin A: 50IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg
    Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided here is solely for informational purposes. I am not a certified nutritionist, and this data hasn't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or any other authority. It shouldn't be seen as health or nutrition advice. The figures are estimates calculated from various food composition databases and might vary based on product types, brands, natural variations in produce, and ingredient processing methods. Individual results may differ.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @recipesbynora or tag #RecipesByNora!

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    About the author

    Hi, I'm Nora! 

    Whether you're new to Filipino food or have loved it for so long, I sure am happy you're here!  I hope you'll find useful recipes that you can enjoy and share with family and friends.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brian

      September 20, 2023 at 9:24 am

      That looks easy enough. Maybe ill try that.

      Reply
      • Nora Reyes

        October 07, 2023 at 10:04 pm

        Hi Brian, Definitely give it a go! Cleaning squid might seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty straightforward. If you have any questions during the process, don't hesitate to reach out. Enjoy! 😊

        Reply
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