Super Simple Microwave Stir-Fried Squid
Super Simple Microwave Stir-Fried Squid
Spicy and Sweet Microwave Stir-Fried Squid Ready in 4 Minutes!
Can you imagine making delicious stir-fried squid without ever turning on the stove? Yes, it’s possible! I saw this amazing microwave squid recipe on the TV show ‘Manmulsang’ and had to try it. Even with just a few ingredients on hand, the result was incredibly flavorful, with a perfect balance of spicy and sweet notes and a wonderfully chewy texture. This recipe is a lifesaver for busy days or for anyone new to cooking, offering a quick and easy way to create a fantastic dish. Let me share this magical recipe with you!
Main Ingredients- 2 squid, cleaned
- 1 large onion
Seasoning Ingredients- 2.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.25 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp cooking sake (or mirin)
- 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Pinch of black pepper
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.75 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.25 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or rice syrup)
- 1 Tbsp cooking sake (or mirin)
- 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Pinch of black pepper
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.75 Tbsp cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Squid prices can be a bit steep lately! For this recipe, we’ll use 2 cleaned squid. After cleaning, gently pat the squid dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. When peeling off the skin, hold the squid firmly and peel it off smoothly to prevent slipping.
Step 2
Score the cleaned squid with a knife. This helps the seasoning penetrate better and tenderizes the squid. Slice it diagonally into bite-sized pieces. Slicing it this way, inspired by the show, also makes the squid more tender after cooking.
Step 3
Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have in your fridge! For simplicity, this recipe only uses onion. Slice the onion into thick pieces and place them at the bottom of a microwave-safe deep bowl. Arrange the prepared squid on top of the onions. Finally, add about 1 Tbsp (slightly less than that) of cooking oil and mix everything well to coat. (Tip: The original recipe calls for 1.5 Tbsp of cooking oil, but adjust based on your preference and ingredients.)
Step 4
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning sauce. This is for 2 squid and is adjusted for what’s commonly available at home. (Note: The amount of seasoning here is slightly less than in the TV show’s recipe.) In a bowl, combine 2.5 Tbsp gochujang, 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru, 0.25 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, 1 Tbsp cooking sake, 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 0.5 Tbsp sesame seeds, a pinch of black pepper, and 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined. (Tip: We’ve omitted the ‘smoky’ flavor step in this version. If you desire that smoky taste, you could add a pinch of smoked paprika to the sauce or briefly pan-fry the squid after microwaving.)
Step 5
Pour the prepared sauce into the center of the bowl containing the squid. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or use a microwave-safe lid/plate. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. (Tip: I used a plate as a lid and microwaved for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Cooking time may vary depending on your microwave’s wattage.)
Step 6
Wow! The squid is cooked perfectly. It’s wonderfully tender and chewy – truly amazing!
Step 7
Now, it’s time to mix everything together so the sauce coats the squid evenly. If the initial bowl feels a bit small, transfer the mixture to a larger, wider bowl. This ensures the sauce is distributed well and prevents the squid from clumping.
Step 8
Microwave for another minute. I found the squid at the bottom was slightly undercooked, so I microwaved for an additional 1 minute and 30 seconds. As a delicious aroma fills your kitchen, your stir-fried squid is ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
