Rating: 3.73
(40)

Calamari and Bell Pepper Medley

July 5, 2024

Calamari and bell pepper medley is a vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dish that brings together tender calamari and sweet, colorful bell peppers in a light, flavorful sautΓ©. Whether served as a main course or a shareable starter, this dish is a celebration of fresh ingredients, quick cooking, and bold taste.

The key to perfect calamari lies in the cooking time, it must be either cooked very quickly or braised slowly to stay tender. For this medley, the calamari is sautΓ©ed fast in a hot skillet with olive oil, garlic, and chili flakes, allowing it to cook just enough to stay tender and slightly crisp on the edges. This quick sear brings out the natural sweetness of the squid and locks in its ocean-fresh flavor.

Bell peppers, sliced into thin strips, add not only a pop of color but also a natural sweetness and slight crunch. Red, yellow, and orange varieties work beautifully for their contrast in both flavor and appearance. Once added to the skillet, they soften slightly while still retaining their texture, soaking up the garlic and spice from the oil.

A splash of white wine or a squeeze of lemon juice deglazes the pan and adds a burst of brightness, balancing the richness of the olive oil and the seafood. Finish the dish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve it hot with lemon wedges on the side.

Calamari and bell pepper medley is light but satisfying, making it a perfect summer dish. Pair it with a crisp white wine and some crusty bread to mop up the juices, or spoon it over rice or quinoa for a fuller meal. High in protein and naturally low in carbs, this dish is both elegant and healthyβ€”a beautiful way to enjoy fresh seafood at home.

Calamari and Bell Pepper Medley
Calamari and Bell Pepper Medley
3.73 from 40 votes
A delicious and flavorful seafood dish with calamari and bell peppers.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound calamari cleaned and sliced into rings
  • 2 Bell peppers sliced
  • 1 onion sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 Lemon sliced

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the sliced bell peppers and onion to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, until softened.
  • Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the skillet and cook for an additional minute.
  • Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add the calamari rings to the other side.
  • Cook the calamari for 2-3 minutes on each side, until opaque and cooked through.
  • Squeeze the juice from the lemon slices over the calamari and vegetables.
  • Serve the calamari and bell pepper medley hot as an appetizer or over rice or pasta as a main dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 25gFat: 10gFiber: 3g
Calories: 250kcal
Meal Type: Breakfast
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: breakfast, easy breakfast, medley
Cooking Method: Fried
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar val.ryan1978 says:

    3 stars
    Yum! Can we sub calamari with chicken? My kids don’t eat sea food. Just wondering.

    1. User avatar landon.treutel says:

      3 stars
      I don’t think chicken would be the same… but you can try! Maybe add some spices to it.

    2. 5 stars
      Sure, you can use chicken instead! Just cook it a little longer to make sure it’s done. Your kids will love it!

  2. User avatar roberto.okon5 says:

    5 stars
    This dish was amazing! The flavors really pop and it’s so easy to make.

    1. User avatar jarrett.huels1955 says:

      5 stars
      I made this last night and it turned out great too! Loved the lemon juice kick.

  3. User avatar jerry.haley says:

    5 stars
    Yummy! But can I use squid instead of calamari? Aren’t they the same thing?

  4. User avatar earnest.hodkiewicz says:

    2 stars
    My calamari turned out rubbery. I must have cooked too long, what a bummer. The peppers were nice tho.

    1. 4 stars
      Rubbery calamari? That’s a bummer, but at least the peppers were good! Maybe try cooking the calamari for less time next time?

  5. User avatar hassan.lebsack says:

    1 star
    Calamari?! Who eats that?! I only like the ones from fast food, this is too fancy for me. I alway confus calamari with calzone, LOL. LOL! No thanks.

  6. User avatar shella.kirlin78 says:

    2 stars
    I thought the flavors were kinda weird together. Not my favorite dish. πŸ˜•

  7. User avatar emmaline.pouros62 says:

    4 stars
    Super easy to make! I used green peppers instead of red, still delicious! 🌢️

  8. 2 stars
    I don’t know, I thought the calamari was kinda chewy. Maybe I cooked it too long? πŸ€” I prefer my seafood fried, just saying.

    1. User avatar Hotblack Desiato says:

      4 stars
      Yeah, calamari can get rubbery if you overcook it! Frying is a great way to make it crispy. Maybe try it that way next time!

    2. User avatar jorge.hoeger2019 says:

      3 stars
      I think you might’ve left it on too long. I always just cook it for like 1 minute. It’s softer that way!

  9. 1 star
    Why do people eat squid? That’s just weird. No thanks!

  10. User avatar marilee.smitham says:

    4 stars
    I don’t really like calamari, but I tried this for my partner and they loved it. It’s not my thing, but seems good for others.

  11. User avatar archie.spencer89 says:

    3 stars
    It’s alright, but I expected more from it. I added some chili flakes.

  12. 4 stars
    Quick and tasty! I don’t season much myself and it came out surprisingly good! Will try again for sure.

  13. User avatar virgil.hoeger28 says:

    4 stars
    Made this with my daughter, it was fun! But we didn’t have lemon, used lime instead.

  14. User avatar teodoro.leffler14 says:

    1 star
    Calamari? More like calamari no thank you! I will stick to fried chicken! 🀒

  15. User avatar sang.schoen says:

    4 stars
    Yummm! πŸ˜‹ My family loved it! The bell peppers gave it such a nice color. I added some chili flakes for kick. Super tasty!

  16. User avatar jarred.bode59 says:

    5 stars
    This was a total hit at our dinner party! The flavors were amazing and it looked beautiful on the table. Will definitely make again!

  17. User avatar Old Wayfarer says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was easy to follow and quick to make! Perfect for a weekday meal. πŸ‘ I might try it with shrimp next time!

    1. User avatar fay.leffler says:

      5 stars
      I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it! Shrimp sounds like a yummy twist! 🍀

  18. User avatar kip.nader44 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was a hit at my dinner party! Everyone loved it. 😍

  19. 5 stars
    Yum! πŸ‘

  20. User avatar brant.lindgren1998 says:

    4 stars
    Never thought about pairing calamari with bell peppers. Big fan now!

  21. 2 stars
    This was ok. The lemons were too strong for me. I left some out but still not great. Maybe less lemon next time.

    1. User avatar lizzie.klein59 says:

      4 stars
      I think the lemon gives a nice touch! But I get it, it’s not for everyone. Maybe try adding some cream to tone it down?

  22. User avatar verona.schumm says:

    3 stars
    Ain’t nobody got time for calamari! Just use shrimp instead. A classic swap! πŸ˜‚

  23. User avatar millard.weimann35 says:

    3 stars
    I found the calamari turned out chewy, not sure if I cooked it too long or what. Any tips?

    1. User avatar anonymous_hacker says:

      4 stars
      Cooking calamari for too long can definitely make it chewy! Try reducing the cooking time or even marinating it a bit before cooking. Hope this helps!

  24. User avatar anamaria.keeling18 says:

    5 stars
    Super simple and delish! Perfect for a quick lunch.

    1. User avatar Randal Toy III says:

      5 stars
      Totally agree! This recipe is super easy and perfect for when I’m in a rush. Love it!

  25. User avatar anjelica.ratke says:

    3 stars
    I tried this recipe but my calamari was rubbery. I think I overcooked it.

    1. User avatar Rory Abshire says:

      4 stars
      Overcooking can definitely make calamari chewy! Next time, try to cook it just until it’s opaque. You’ll get a better texture for sure.

  26. User avatar ShanksOnePiece says:

    5 stars
    This was amazing! I never cooked calamari before but this recipe made it so easy. The flavors were spot on. Definitely a keeper!

  27. User avatar porter.kris1984 says:

    5 stars
    Very simple and quick! Just the way I like it. Added some chili flakes for a kick, yum!

    1. User avatar janie.shields says:

      5 stars
      I also love adding chili flakes! It makes everything better. Great idea!

    2. User avatar kirstin.glover88 says:

      3 stars
      Sounds tasty but I don’t like calamari. Can I use chicken instead?

3.73 from 40 votes
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