Squid Masala (Calamari Curry)
Tender squid rings tossed through a thick, tangy masala with curry leaves and black pepper.
Made with Curry base sauce (onion and tomato) and Garam masala (homemade). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £3.16 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Pat the squid very dry with kitchen paper. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a hot frying pan and sear the squid in two batches for 1 minute each until just opaque, then tip onto a plate.
2 min - 2
Add the remaining oil to the pan with the crushed peppercorns and curry leaves. Fry for 20 seconds until they crackle.
0 min 20 s - 3
Add the onion and cook for 6 minutes until golden, then the garlic and green chillies for 1 minute.
7 min - 4
Stir in the tomatoes and cook for 4 minutes until pulpy. Add your ready made curry base sauce (see the base recipe) and simmer for 6 minutes until thick.
10 min - 5
Return the squid with the salt and your ready made garam masala blend (see the base recipe). Stir for 1 to 2 minutes only, just to heat the squid through.
1 min 30 s - 6
Finish with the lime juice and serve with rice.
Tips
- Squid is either quick or slow. Cook it for 1 to 2 minutes or it goes rubbery, and if it does, simmer it for 30 minutes more to soften it again.
- Dry squid sears. Wet squid steams and releases water into your sauce.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Cool within 1 hour, keep in the fridge for up to 1 day and reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Do not freeze.
Questions
Why is my squid tough?
It has been cooked for between 2 and about 20 minutes, the rubbery zone. Keep it to 1 to 2 minutes or braise it for 30 minutes or more.
Can I use frozen squid?
Yes. Thaw it fully in the fridge overnight, drain and dry it well. Frozen squid is often cleaned already and works well here.
More made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Beef Madras (Curry House Style)
GFDFEFMasala Shepherd's Pie with Peas and Spiced Mash
GFEFNFLamb Bhuna with Tomatoes and Green Pepper
DFEFNFPork Chop Masala (Tawa Style Spiced Pork Chops)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.