Calamari Recipe
Fried calamari served with marinara sauce.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Calamari
Marinara Sauce
Method
Preparing the Calamari
- 1
Clean the Calamari
Rinse the fresh calamari under cold water. Remove the skin and innards, then cut the bodies into 1/2 inch rings.
- 2
Soak in Buttermilk
Place the calamari rings in a bowl and pour in the buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to tenderize.
Breading and Frying
- 3
- 4
Coat the Calamari
Remove the calamari from the buttermilk and let the excess drip off. Dredge each ring in the flour mixture, ensuring they are fully coated.
- 5
Heat the Oil
In a large pot or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
- 6
Fry the Calamari
Fry the calamari in batches for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Making the Marinara Sauce
- 7
Sauté Garlic
In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 8
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- 9
Finish the Sauce
Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley.
Serving
- 10
Plate the Dish
Arrange the fried calamari on a serving platter and serve with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.


