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This Sauteed Cajun Calamari is a flavorful, quick-to-make dish that’s perfect as an appetizer or a side. The calamari is pan-seared to perfection and then drizzled with a rich, buttery Cajun sauce that brings a zesty kick. It’s a perfect dish for seafood lovers, and it’s so easy to prepare in just a few minutes, making it a great option for dinner parties or family meals.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 lb cleaned calamari/squid
½ cup unsalted butter
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s Hot Sauce)
½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning (e.g., Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning)
½ teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons avocado oil (or other high-heat oil)
Salt to taste

Directions

Prepare the Calamari:
Rinse and thoroughly dry thawed or fresh squid. Cut the squid tubes into ½-inch rings and slice the tentacles in half lengthwise. Season lightly with salt.
Make the Cajun Butter Sauce:
In a non-stick pan over medium heat, sauté minced garlic with 1 tablespoon of butter until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Be careful not to brown the garlic. Remove from heat and stir in Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, and lemon juice. Set aside in a bowl.
Clarify the Butter:
In the same pan, add the remaining butter over medium heat and let it melt. Once melted, remove from heat and skim off the white solids from the butter. Pour the clarified butter into the bowl with the Cajun mixture. Set aside.
Sauté the Calamari:
In the same non-stick pan, heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the squid in batches, searing for about 2 minutes until the calamari is slightly crispy on the edges. Remove and set on a serving plate.
Finish the Dish:
Drizzle the Cajun butter sauce over the calamari until lightly coated. Serve immediately.

Nutrients

Calories: 396.4 kcal
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 32.9g
Saturated Fat: 15.3g
Cholesterol: 386.3mg
Sodium: 609.8mg
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0.1g
Net Carbs: 5g

The Cajun Butter Sauce: Flavorful and Bold

The Cajun butter sauce is the heart of this dish, and it’s what sets Sautéed Cajun Calamari apart. The sauce is made by sautéing garlic in butter, which releases its aromatic flavor, then mixing in Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, and a splash of lemon juice. The Cajun seasoning provides a smoky, spicy, and herby depth, while the hot sauce adds a tangy heat that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the calamari. The addition of lemon juice brings a bright, citrusy note, balancing the richness of the butter.

Clarifying the butter ensures that it’s smooth and free of milk solids, making the sauce silky and rich. The clarified butter enhances the flavor and gives the sauce the perfect texture to coat the calamari. When drizzled over the calamari, this Cajun butter sauce infuses every bite with layers of bold flavor.

The Perfectly Sautéed Calamari

Calamari, or squid, is known for its tender texture when cooked properly, but it can become rubbery if overcooked. This recipe calls for searing the calamari in hot oil for just 2 minutes, ensuring that it cooks quickly and remains tender. The quick sear helps to develop a slightly crispy exterior, which contrasts beautifully with the soft, juicy interior of the squid.

The calamari is seasoned lightly with salt before cooking to enhance its natural flavor. The key to getting the calamari just right is to cook it in batches and not overcrowd the pan, which ensures that each piece gets an even sear. The crispy, golden edges of the calamari provide a satisfying texture that pairs perfectly with the rich, buttery sauce.

Why This Recipe Works

What makes this Sautéed Cajun Calamari recipe so successful is its simplicity and balance of flavors. The dish is incredibly easy to prepare, with just a few essential ingredients. The calamari itself cooks quickly, and the Cajun butter sauce comes together in no time. Despite the minimal effort required, the resulting dish is rich, flavorful, and satisfying, making it perfect for dinner parties or a quick weeknight meal.

The use of clarified butter ensures a smooth, velvety sauce that coats the calamari without being too greasy. Meanwhile, the combination of hot sauce and Cajun seasoning provides just the right amount of heat and spice without overwhelming the natural flavors of the seafood. The lemon juice brightens the dish, making it feel fresh and light despite the richness of the sauce.

Serving Suggestions for Sautéed Cajun Calamari

Sautéed Cajun Calamari can be served in a variety of ways, depending on your preferences and the occasion. Here are a few ideas:

As an appetizer: Serve the calamari as a starter at your next dinner party. Pair it with a simple dipping sauce like a lemon aioli or a tangy cocktail sauce for extra flavor.
With rice: For a heartier meal, serve the calamari over a bed of white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice. The rice will absorb the flavorful Cajun butter sauce, making every bite even more delicious.
With noodles: Toss the sautéed calamari with cooked pasta, such as linguine or spaghetti, and drizzle the Cajun butter sauce over the top. The sauce will cling to the noodles, creating a flavorful pasta dish.
With vegetables: Pair the calamari with a side of sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach. The freshness and crunch of the vegetables will balance the richness of the calamari.
As a side dish: Serve this Cajun calamari as a flavorful side alongside a main dish like grilled steak or pan-seared chicken for a complete meal.

Customization Options for Sautéed Cajun Calamari

This recipe is versatile, and you can adjust it to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are some ideas for customizing your Sautéed Cajun Calamari:

Spice Level: If you like things spicier, you can increase the amount of hot sauce or add fresh chopped chili peppers to the Cajun butter sauce. For a milder version, reduce the hot sauce or omit it altogether.
Butter Alternatives: For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a non-dairy option like coconut oil or olive oil. This will create a slightly different flavor but still provide a rich sauce.
Add Herbs: If you like fresh herbs, feel free to add chopped parsley, basil, or cilantro as a garnish for added freshness. These herbs will complement the Cajun seasoning and add a burst of color to the dish.
Vegetarian Option: If you want a vegetarian version of this dish, you could substitute the calamari with slices of king oyster mushrooms or other meaty mushrooms. These mushrooms have a similar texture to calamari and can soak up the Cajun butter sauce beautifully.

Nutritional Information

Sautéed Cajun Calamari offers a delicious, flavorful meal with a good balance of protein, fat, and minimal carbohydrates. Each serving contains 396.4 calories, 20g of protein, and 32.9g of fat. The majority of the fat comes from the butter and oil used in the cooking process, providing a rich flavor and a satisfying texture. The dish is low in carbohydrates (5g) and has no fiber, making it a great option for those following low-carb or keto diets.

The sodium content (609.8mg) comes from both the Cajun seasoning and the hot sauce, so it’s important to adjust the seasoning based on your personal preferences. Additionally, the dish provides a decent amount of vitamin A (341 IU) and calcium (94mg), along with iron (1mg) from the seafood.

Conclusion

Sautéed Cajun Calamari is a simple yet flavorful dish that combines the tender texture of calamari with the richness of a Cajun butter sauce. It’s quick to make, full of flavor, and versatile enough to be served in various ways, from appetizers to main dishes. The Cajun seasoning and hot sauce give the dish a deliciously spicy kick, while the butter and lemon juice provide richness and balance.

Whether you’re a seafood lover or just looking for a quick and indulgent dish, Sautéed Cajun Calamari is a fantastic choice that delivers a burst of flavor in every bite. With minimal effort and ingredients, it’s a dish that will impress anyone you serve it to, making it perfect for dinner parties or a special weeknight treat.

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