Thai Squid Recipe

4.50 from 8 votes
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Looking for a Thai squid recipe that’s full of flavor? Try Thai basil squid, a perfect spicy squid recipe Thai style. It’s easy to make and bursting with delicious, bold flavors!

Thai squid recipe with spicy sauce, Thai basil and chilies.
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Thai Basil Squid

If you’re looking to spice up your meals with some homemade Thai recipes, you’re in for a treat! On this blog, you will find tons of delicious recipes that bring authentic Thai flavors right to your kitchen.

This is my favorite Thai squid recipe, bursting with bold, spicy flavors. This Thai basil squid showcases tender squid infused with Nam Prik Pao (Thai roasted chili paste), fresh Thai basil leaves, and a few fiery Thai chilies. A splash of fish sauce ties everything together, making this dish both delicious and authentically Thai.

Love spicy squid with a simple yet classic Asian taste? Check out similar recipes on my site, like the Chinese squid recipe (three cup squid) and Malaysian sambal sotong (spicy sambal squid).


Why You’ll Love Thai Squid Recipe

Thai chili squid recipe with tender squid rings in a spicy roasted chili paste sauce.

You’ll love this spicy Thai squid recipe with chilies because of the following reasons:

  • It perfectly balances bold heat with tender, flavorful squid.
  • The Thai chilies and Nam Prik Pao (roasted chili paste) add a fiery kick, while the Thai herbs and spices create a delicious, aromatic experience.
  • Each bite is a vibrant explosion of flavor that’s both satisfying and exciting, rivaling the best Thai restaurants in your neighborhood.
  • This Thai squid recipe has a unique flavor with Thai spices and chilies, giving it a taste that’s different from typical Western-style squid.

Secret Ingredient For Thai Spicy Squid

Pantai brand Nam Prik Pao (Thai roasted chili paste).

Thai roasted chili paste, or Nam Prik Pao, is a key ingredient in many Thai dishes, giving recipes like Tom Yum Soup their signature kick. It has recently become a staple in my pantry for making everything from Tom Yum Fried Rice to Thai Clams.

Shopping Guide: If you’re in the United States, you can find Nam Prik Pao at many Asian stores, with the “Pantai” brand being a popular choice. You can also make it from scratch using recipes from trusted sources like She Simmers.


Thai Squid Recipe Ingredients

Thai squid recipe ingredients for Thai basil squid.

Here’s a brief description of each ingredient for my Thai squid recipe:

  • Squid: Rinse, clean, and cut into rings.
  • Nam Prik Pao: Smoky chili paste that adds rich, spicy flavor.
  • Thai Basil Leaves: Fresh, aromatic leaves with a hint of spice.
  • Thai Chilies: Small but very hot, adding intense heat.
  • Fish Sauce: Salty and savory, enhancing overall flavor.

Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all the details.


How To Make Basil Squid

Blanching squid in hot boiling water.

Step 1: Clean the squid thoroughly and cut it into pieces. Rinse with cold water. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then quickly blanch the squid for 5-10 seconds. Drain and set aside.

Sauteing nam prik pao with Thai chilies in a skillet.

Step 2: Heat a wok with oil, then add the roasted chili paste and Thai chilies. Stir-fry until the spicy aroma fills the air.

Cooking squid Thai style with chili paste and chilies.

Step 3: Add the squid and stir to combine thoroughly.

Adding Thai basil leaves to squid to make spicy squid Thai style.

Step 4: Add the fish sauce, stirring a few times. Then add the basil leaves and cook until wilted and the squid is fully cooked.

Thai squid recipe - Thai basil squid is ready to serve in a bowl.

Step 5: Dish out and serve immediately with rice.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular basil instead of Thai basil?

Thai basil has a unique flavor with hints of anise and clove. If Thai basil isn’t available, you can use regular basil, but the flavor will be slightly different.

How do I avoid overcooking the squid?

Blanch the squid quickly in boiled water then quickly stir fry with all the ingredients to avoid overcooking.

Can I skip the process of blanching the squid?

Yes, you sure can. This step is crucial for keeping the squid tender and preventing overcooking in the skillet. It also helps remove any fishy smell and impurities, ensuring your sauce is clean and delicious.

How many calories per serving of Thai Basil Squid?

Each serving is only 124 calories.

Thai squid with squid rings and spicy sauce.

What To Serve With Spicy Thai Squid

For a wholesome Thai style dinner at home, I recommend the following recipes.

I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on FacebookPinterest, and Instagram for new updates.


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4.50 from 8 votes

Thai Squid Recipe – Basil Squid

Looking for a Thai squid recipe that’s full of flavor? Try Thai basil squid, a perfect spicy squid recipe Thai style. It’s easy to make and bursting with delicious, bold flavors!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
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Ingredients  

  • 12 oz (375g) squid, cleaned and cut into rings, and pat dry with paper towels
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 3 tablespoons Nam prik phao , Thai roasted chili paste
  • 3-4 Thai chilies, lightly pounded
  • 1 teaspoon fish sauce , to taste
  • 1/2 cup Thai basil leaves, stems removed

Instructions 

  • Clean the squid thoroughly and cut it into pieces. Rinse with cold water. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then quickly blanch the squid for 5-10 seconds. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat a wok with oil, then add the roasted chili paste and Thai chilies. Stir-fry until the spicy aroma fills the air.
  • Add the squid and stir to combine thoroughly.
  • Add the fish sauce and lime juice. Stir a few times before adding the basil leaves. As soon as the leaves are wilted and the squid completely cooked, dish out and serve immediately with rice.

Notes

How to clean squid? 
  • Start by peeling off the skin and separating the head from the tube.
  • Remove the ink sac from the innards to prevent any bitter taste or staining.
  • Rinse the body and tentacles under cold water.
  • If the recipe calls for squid rings, cut the tube into rings (about 4 rings for medium-sized squid), and then pat dry with paper towels.

Nutrition

Serving: 4people, Calories: 124kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 198mg, Sodium: 158mg, Potassium: 274mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 237IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Please rate and comment below!

About Bee Yinn Low

Bee is a recipe developer and best-selling cookbook author, sharing easy, quick, and delicious Asian and American recipes since 2006. With a strong following of almost 2 million fans online, her expertise has been featured in major publications, TV and radio programs, and live cooking demos throughout the United States and Asia.

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13 Comments

  1. sayap kiri says:

    3 stars
    i like this food..it’s like delicius

  2. حراج says:

    5 stars
    Love this food. It seems delicious. I have to try it. Thanks for sharing the recipes