Does freezing calamari make it more tender?

Freezing squid or calamari breaks down the muscle fibers making it more tender when cooked. But to tenderize calamari properly, it is best to freeze the squid and then thaw it correctly before cooking.

Calamari meat needs to be either very quickly cooked by flash frying or stir frying or very slowly stewed over a low heat. Either method requires thawed squid.

When frozen, calamari will remain tender for about 2-3 months in the freezer. The best way to handle freezing and thawing calamari is as follows:

- Clean and prepare calamari (tubes and/or tentacles)

- Place the calamari in a freezer-safe airtight bag or container.

- Label the bag or container with the date and contents.

- Place the calamari in the freezer and freeze until solid (at least 2 hours)

- For best results, thaw calamari in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 8-12 hours.

- Do not thaw calamari at room temperature, as this can compromise its safety and quality.

- Once thawed, calamari can be cooked according to your desired recipe.