17 Must Try Calamari Steak Recipes 

Looking for ideas for calamari steak recipes? Look no further because we rounded up the best ones (plus included the perfect veggie side dish to pair with any of these amazing recipes below).

Calamari steak is a healthy and versatile seafood ingredient. What is it though? It is actually the body of a squid with the tentacles removed! The demand for this exquisite ingredient is gaining popularity every day! The squid steaks themselves are approximately a quarter-inch thick, and the meat itself is tender and kind of chewy. If you like the classic calamari appetizer that’s breaded and served with cocktail sauce, you will really like this list!  

Calamari steak recipes come in many forms! They can be breaded or lightly seasoned as well as marinated or sliced into strips. It can be pan fried, deep fried, air fried, oven baked, or even grilled! Squids are exceptionally rich in protein and low in carbs, so calamari steak is one of the healthiest seafood dishes.

For example you can make Thai Red Curry Calamari or the Grilled Squid with Olive and Bean Salad. If you’re looking for something more decadent try the Piccata and Roasted Asparagus. Whatever your flavor preferences are, if you like seafood you will love the recipe ideas on this list!

1. Lemon Caper Calamari Steaks

These Lemon Caper Calamari Steaks will quickly become your new favorite seafood recipe. My mom used to cook a dish similar to this when I was a kid. She introduced me to calamari steaks and I’m so glad she did. Where do you find calamari squid steaks? Well you can start by looking at your local grocery stores’ seafood department. Just look wherever they sell fresh shrimp and ask about their squid. In this recipe the squid is coated in an easy mixture of flour, Parmesan cheese and pepper. Then it is dipped in an egg wash before being pan fried in hot oil.

2. Thai Red Curry Calamari Steak {GF, DF}

Looking for flavorful calamari steak recipes? This Thai Red Curry squid is delicious, gluten free, dairy free, and ready in 30 minutes. Not only does it taste amazing it smells great too with ingredients like lemongrass, ginger, shallots, red curry paste, and fish sauce! Serve it with egg drop soup, soba noodles, in a stir fry, or a fresh cucumber salad. The thinly sliced squid is cooked in the Thai red curry sauce then garnished with sesame seeds. Last but not least it is served with stir fried baby bok choy.

3. Grilled Calamari Steaks with Mediterranean Salsa

Calamari steaks aka the flat body of a squid, can make a very nutritious and delicious dish. That’s because it’s a lean protein idea that cooks up instantly. It’s best to cook them fresh if you can find them, however you’ll likely find them easiest in the frozen food section. If you’re cooking them frozen it’s best to defrost them in the fridge overnight beforehand. This recipe calls for a Mediterranean Salsa with Kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes- yum! 

4. How to Cook Marinated Calamari Steak On The Grill

If you love seafood as much as I do then this grilled calamari steak recipe is for you. And if you love calamari already you will certainly adore squid steaks. Calamari is Italian for squid and is used primarily to refer to the deep fried rings we all know and love. Squid steak is just as delicious if not more so! To make this grilled dish you will need 4 calamari steaks, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, cayenne, pepper, ground cumin, and salt. 

5. Pan Fried Calamari Steaks with Charred Lemon and Lemon Beurre Blanc

Pan Fried Calamari Steaks with Charred Lemon and Lemon Beurre Blanc will instantly become your new favorite seafood dish.Squid bodies can cook tough that’s why this dish calls for pounding. Simply pound the squid with a meat pounder to ensure it cooks up quick and easy. This recipe is sweet and lean and fabulous with a rich butter sauce. It has a lovely balance with bitter arugula, and charred lemon! It’s ready in 30 minutes flat with minimal ingredients and steps. 

6. How to Cook Calamari Steak

Fried Calamari Steak recipes will have you a squid fan in a flash. This recipe is ready to go in 25 minutes flat! Ingredients needed include: 4 large calamari steaks, 8 cups buttermilk, 1.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 3 large eggs, 2 tbsp salt, 3 cups breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp pepper, 1 fresh lemon, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The first step is to soak the squid in buttermilk for 12 to 24 hours to tenderize it. Then make an egg wash with salt and pepper. Dip the squid in the eggs and pan fry on medium heat with olive oil. 

7. Low FODMAP Grilled Calamari Steak

Grilled Calamari steaks are so simple to make and can add more to your low FODMAP meal plans. This recipe makes 4 portions and it’s ready in 9 minutes flat! All you need is 4 calamari steaks, that are about 6 ounces (170 g) each, extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling and serving, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, chopped Italian flat leaf parsley, and lemon wedges for serving. Just make sure the squid is thawed to room temperature before starting. 

8. Spicy Grilled Calamari Steaks

Spicy Grilled Calamari Steaks are perfect for those who love a little extra kick! This dish takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to prepare because you need to marinate it. But then you only need 5 minutes to cook! This recipe makes 4 hearty portions. Ingredients needed include 1 Tbsp ground cumin, 2 Tbsp paprika, 2 Tbsp cayenne pepper, 1/4 cup(s) lemon juice, 1/2 Tsp salt, 1 Tbsp black pepper, 2 Tsp minced garlic, 2 Tsp unsalted butter, and 4 calamari steaks! 

9. Grilled Calamari Steaks With Summer Salsa

Grilled Calamari Steaks With Summer Salsa reminds me of traveling to the beach! I love eating at restaurants near the ocean where you can hear the waves crashing against the sand! The smell of all kinds of food combined with the fresh ocean water- there’s nothing else like it. That’s why this grilled calamari steak recipe with baby arugula, and fresh summer salsa is absolutely invigorating! I adore the cherry tomatoes, charred corn, and Kalamata olives! 

10. Grilled Calamari Steaks with Olive and Bean Salad

Thick, tasty calamari steaks are mildly sweet flavored, so they’re amazing with bold, salty flavors like olives, anchovies, and capers. Try the big Humboldt squid- from the frozen seafood section of your local grocery market. This seafood recipe is full of salty, citrusy flavor and is complimented perfectly by earthy white beans and fresh herbs. Just grab 1 14 oz can of white beans, drain them, and rinse before preparing the whole dish. 

11. Calamari Piccata and Roasted Asparagus

Calamari steak recipes like this Piccata and Roasted Asparagus will have you jumping for joy. When I made this dish I had fresh squid steak from the butcher! It is a very easy and cheap dinner to make! If you’re looking for a lovely little dinner for 2 this one is perfect but you can double the ingredients to make a bigger meal. Key ingredients include flour, eggs, fresh bread crumbs, Panko bread crumbs, Emeril’s Original Essence, salt, pepper, olive oil, butter, lemon, and white wine! Last but not least you will need rinsed and drained capers and fresh parsley. 

12. Baked Calamari Steaks

Baked Calamari Steak is an easy hassle free way to whip up squid! This recipe serves 4 and is ready in under an hour. You need 4 strips of calamari steaks, breadcrumbs, regular flour, beaten eggs, salt, and pepper. All you have to do is thaw your squid to room temperature then preheat the oven to 390 degrees F. Mix the flour and spices in a mixing bowl and make the egg wash in another bowl. The next step is to rinse off your squid then pat them dry with paper towels. Dip the squid in flour, then eggs, then breadcrumbs! Last but not least bake them to perfection in the oven. 

13. Seared Calamari Steak with Bloody Mary Sauce

Seared Calamari Steak with Bloody Mary Sauce takes 15 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook, resulting in 2 portions. You do not have to deep fry squid to make it super tasty and delicious! This dish is extremely fast and simple too! To make this light and healthy dish just prepare 2 scored calamari steaks, drained and puréed can of San Marzano tomatoes, Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, Worcestershire sauce, freshly grated horseradish, lemon, and celery leaves for garnish. 

14. Quick and Easy, Crispy Calamari Steak

I first made this recipe on the weekend before my kids went back to school after summer vacation. My kids were apprehensive about trying something new but they’re good about at least trying. Good thing they really liked it! Now I make this at least once a month. This dish really shows you how to make a simple dinner on a busy day. If you’re not in the mood to spend too much time in the kitchen this is the seafood dish for you. If you buy calamari from the store, they have likely already been frozen so they’ll be very tender. 

15. Grilled Calamari Steaks With Scampi Butter 

Grilled Calamari Steak recipes like this one with scampi butter will delight your senses! All you need is 4 calamari steaks, olive oil to coat, and salt and pepper. To make the scampi butter you will need ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature, 1 clove of minced garlic, 2-3 sprigs of finely chopped fresh parsley, ¼ cup dry white wine, and the juice of ½ lemon. Just combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk together. Next put the butter mixture on a foil sheet and roll it into a thick cylinder then chill in the refrigerator. See the post for the rest of the steps! 

16. “Contradiction” Quick Calamari Chickpea Salad

Calamari Chickpea Salad is the fresh and vibrant meal you have to make! Just defrost the flattened quid bodies to room temperature for optimal results. If they are fully frozen the best way to do this is to put them in the refrigerator overnight so they thaw slowly. Then set them in a plastic bag or container on the counter for an hour. The next step for this recipe is to pound them lightly with a mallet before scoring them diagonally in both directions like a diamond. Don’t cut them all the way through. Next fry them in a pan and make the Vinaigrette dressing. 

17. Quid Steaks With Lemony Pepper Pasta

Calamari steak recipes with pasta are absolutely delicious like this lemony pepper one! I prefer using Angel hair pasta when making this dish because I love slurping up the long thin pasta noodles. The combination of anchovies and julienned zucchini is next level delicious! You will adore sitting down with this lovely romantic dinner for two! Serve it with a bottle of white wine or sparkling water. Maybe a small arugula salad as well! It’s vibrant, zesty, delightful, easy, and sure to be a hit!