Grilled Calamari – A Taste of Greek Holidays at Home

Difficulty: 1/5

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 4 mins

Serves: 4

Bring the flavours of a sunny Greek holiday to your backyard with this simple grilled calamari recipe. Even if you’ve only ever had squid on vacation, now is the perfect time to recreate that Mediterranean magic on your gas grill.

We grill the calamari very briefly - just 3–4 minutes - and serve it immediately while it’s warm and tender. To make the experience effortless, prepare your sides and chill the wine before you fire up the grill.

Ingredients

800 g cleaned squid

Marinade:
1/3 cup olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 sprig rosemary, chopped
1/3 tsp chili flakes (or a small fresh chilli)
Salt and pepper to taste (remember, squid can be naturally salty)

To serve:
Dressing: 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, chili/pepper to taste
Fresh parsley or coriander
Optional sides: bok choy, crusty bread, and a glass of white wine

Instructions

Prepare the squid: Wash and pat dry the squid.

Make the marinade: In a bowl, mix olive oil with lemon juice, then add garlic, rosemary, chili, salt, and pepper. Coat the squid in the marinade and let it rest for 2–4 hours.

Preheat the grill: Remove two grates and place a cast iron griddle in their place. Set the grill to medium and preheat until the plate reaches 200°C (390°F). Lightly oil the plate before grilling.

Grill the squid: Drain excess marinade and place the squid on the hot griddle. Grill for 4 minutes, turning halfway through. Quick grilling ensures the squid stays firm, tender, and springy - overcooking makes it rubbery.

Serve: Drizzle with dressing, sprinkle generously with parsley, and serve alongside crispy bread.

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