Name: Grilled Calamari
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 4 h 13 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 pounds of fresh squid cleaned; Note: fresh squid is tender and not rubbery. Frozen is not as tender.; Marinade:; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; Optional Garnish: wedges of fresh lemon; Lemon Sauce; 2/3 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 or 2 lemons freshly squeezed); 1 teaspoon sea salt or more to taste; 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper or more to taste; 1 tablespoon Greek dried oregano

Calamari on the grill is one of the easiest ways to prepare it and a summer light seafood to top salads or as an appetizer.

This squid is grilled after being marinated overnight to make a flavorful tender delicious-tasting squid you will soon remember.

We also have other serving suggestions if you would like this to be the main meal with side dish ideas.

My late grandmother's recipe also made a delicious tomato sauce calamari every Christmas Eve as part of the 7 Fishes meal.

Scroll down to get this easily printable recipe with step-by-step instructions and hit print to avoid any ads.

calamari marinated then grilled on a fish white dish with lemon wedges and parsley

Easy Step-by-Step How to Make Grilled Calamari

marinade the squid whole overnight
heat the grill
grill the calamari
slice it after it's cooked
serve with lemon sauce

Other Substitutions for Squid to Grill

any freshly caught fish: walleye, snook, redfish,
Mahi-mahi
chunks of haddock
crab meat or lobster
extra large cleaned and deveined shrimp
mussels or clams still in the shells
large scallops
just follow the same recipe directions and adjust the cooking time

marinade for calamari and lemon sauce collage

Tips and Serving Suggestions for Grilled Calamari

add whole cloves of fresh garlic or sliced onions if you would like an onion-garlicky flavor addition to the marinade
calamari is cooked quickly do not overcook check at 4 minutes for tenderness
if using the garlic and onions before grilling so it doesn't burn on the grill
serve on top of Greek salad, your favorite cooked pasta you prefer, rice, or just as an appetizer
use only good-grade olive oil
reheat leftovers on the grill for a few minutes
oven method: oil spray a gridded cast-iron broil on HI HEAT for 4 minutes on each side
add lemon juice 5 minutes before cooking the squid, anything longer will start to cook the squid that's why it's not in the marinade overnight, however, it will tenderize the squid to ensure it's not rubbery in any way.

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What Does Calamari Taste Like Grilled?

Grilled Calamari is one of the tastiest and easiest ways to cook this seafood.

Simple ingredients in the delicious marinade absorb into the flesh and with olive oil and lemon juice make a tender bite with a bit of that outdoor grilled smokey flavor.

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Yield: 6

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Grilled Calamari

Grilled Calamari is tender and marinated to perfection. After grilling a delicious lemon sauce is drizzled on top to make a mouth-watering sensation

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 8 MinInactive time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 13 M

Ingredients

2 pounds of fresh squid cleaned
Note: fresh squid is tender and not rubbery. Frozen is not as tender.
Marinade:
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Optional Garnish: wedges of fresh lemon
Lemon Sauce
2/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 or 2 lemons freshly squeezed)
1 teaspoon sea salt or more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper or more to taste
1 tablespoon Greek dried oregano

Instructions

Add the calamari to the bowl, with the marinade ingredients, cover it, and let it marinate overnight.
Next day, drain most of the marinade off the squid.
Add two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice into the container of squid and let it sit while you heat the grill.
After the grill is heated place the calamari onto oil-sprayed grates and grill for 4 to 6 minutes on each side. Squid cooks fast so check it at 4 minutes and see if it's done.
Note: Grill the squid whole if you're using precut rings it will fall through the grates and you will have to use a gridded cast iron pan.
Remove from the grill then slice the calamari when it easily can be handled and not too hot, into rings.
Mix up the lemon sauce whisking the ingredients together.
Serve the calamari with a drizzle of lemon sauce on top or serve it as a dipping sauce.
Garnish with lemon wedges, and fresh chopped herbs (parsley, oregano, basil.)

Notes

Tips and Serving Suggestions for Grilled Calamari

add whole cloves of fresh garlic or sliced onions if you would like an onion-garlicky flavor addition to the marinade
calamari is cooked quickly do not overcook check at 4 minutes for tenderness
if using the garlic and onions before grilling so it doesn't burn on the grill
serve on top of Greek salad, your favorite cooked pasta you prefer, rice, or just as an appetizer
use only good-grade olive oil
reheat leftovers on the grill for a few minutes
oven method: oil spray a gridded cast-iron broil on HI HEAT for 4 minutes on each side
add lemon juice 5 minutes before cooking the squid, anything longer will start to cook the squid that's why it's not in the marinade overnight, however, it will tenderize the squid to ensure it's not rubbery in any way.

Other Substitutions for Squid to Grill

any freshly caught fish: walleye, snook, redfish,
Mahi-mahi
chunks of haddock
crab meat or lobster
extra large cleaned and deveined shrimp
mussels or clams still in the shells
large scallops
just follow the same recipe directions and adjust the cooking time

Nutrition Facts

Calories

441.06

Fat (grams)

35.24 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

5.11 g

Carbs (grams)

7.13 g

Fiber (grams)

0.7 g

Net carbs

6.45 g

Sugar (grams)

0.35 g

Protein (grams)

23.93 g

Sodium (milligrams)

842.98 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

352.68 mg

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