Grilled Calamari With Lemon Butter Sauce

Author Notes

While living in California, our family discovered squid and the many ways it can be prepared. This easy, delicious recipe can be served as a first course or as a main course dish. - cltnancy —cltnancy

Test Kitchen Notes

Sometimes you're just not in the mood to whip out your deep-fryer or deal with all that oil, even when it comes to enticingly crispy calamari. This version of grilled calamari is a lot lighter than the fried kind and takes just minutes to make. Simple seasonings are all you need to make this dish a go-to whenever you're feeling like something quick on the grill. It's one of those perfect summertime recipes for a casual barbecue or special occasion.

You may feel a little intimidated cooking squid at home, but it's easier than you think. If you don't want to go through the whole process of cleaning the squid, you can usually find frozen squid in most grocery stores, which are all ready to go—simply thaw in the refrigerator, not at room temperature—or you could have a friendly fishmonger clean the bodies for you. That means that the skin, ink, insides, and beak are already removed. But if you're a DIYer, you can use the squid ink in other recipes (think: squid ink pasta!). And if you're going through all of that effort, feel free to throw the tentacles on the grill as well. It's important to pat the squid dry as thoroughly as possible to get the best texture. And the hotter the grill, the better the sear, so be sure to heat the grill to high.

This recipe is beyond easy. Laying the squid out flat means they cook very quickly and throwing the sauce together takes only a minute. The lemon, butter, and herb combo is hard to argue with. You may want to add the lemon to taste to find the best combo for you. Other than the squid, you probably already have all these ingredients. Grab a glass of crisp wine, cold beer, or refreshing lemonade and enjoy a summertime treat that you nor your guests will soon forget. —Stephanie Bourgeois