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 healthyβa beautiful way to enjoy fresh seafood at home.

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.
Yum! Can we sub calamari with chicken? My kids donβt eat sea food. Just wondering.
I donβt think chicken would be the sameβ¦ but you can try! Maybe add some spices to it.
Sure, you can use chicken instead! Just cook it a little longer to make sure itβs done. Your kids will love it!
This dish was amazing! The flavors really pop and itβs so easy to make.
I made this last night and it turned out great too! Loved the lemon juice kick.
Yummy! But can I use squid instead of calamari? Arenβt they the same thing?
My calamari turned out rubbery. I must have cooked too long, what a bummer. The peppers were nice tho.
Rubbery calamari? Thatβs a bummer, but at least the peppers were good! Maybe try cooking the calamari for less time next time?
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.
I thought the flavors were kinda weird together. Not my favorite dish. π
Super easy to make! I used green peppers instead of red, still delicious! πΆοΈ
I donβt know, I thought the calamari was kinda chewy. Maybe I cooked it too long? π€ I prefer my seafood fried, just saying.
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!
I think you mightβve left it on too long. I always just cook it for like 1 minute. Itβs softer that way!
Why do people eat squid? Thatβs just weird. No thanks!
I donβt really like calamari, but I tried this for my partner and they loved it. Itβs not my thing, but seems good for others.
Itβs alright, but I expected more from it. I added some chili flakes.
Quick and tasty! I donβt season much myself and it came out surprisingly good! Will try again for sure.
Made this with my daughter, it was fun! But we didnβt have lemon, used lime instead.
Calamari? More like calamari no thank you! I will stick to fried chicken! π€’
Yummm! π My family loved it! The bell peppers gave it such a nice color. I added some chili flakes for kick. Super tasty!
This was a total hit at our dinner party! The flavors were amazing and it looked beautiful on the table. Will definitely make again!
This recipe was easy to follow and quick to make! Perfect for a weekday meal. π I might try it with shrimp next time!
Iβm glad to hear you enjoyed it! Shrimp sounds like a yummy twist! π€
This recipe was a hit at my dinner party! Everyone loved it. π
Yum! π
Never thought about pairing calamari with bell peppers. Big fan now!
This was ok. The lemons were too strong for me. I left some out but still not great. Maybe less lemon next time.
I think the lemon gives a nice touch! But I get it, itβs not for everyone. Maybe try adding some cream to tone it down?
Ainβt nobody got time for calamari! Just use shrimp instead. A classic swap! π
I found the calamari turned out chewy, not sure if I cooked it too long or what. Any tips?
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!
Super simple and delish! Perfect for a quick lunch.
Totally agree! This recipe is super easy and perfect for when Iβm in a rush. Love it!
I tried this recipe but my calamari was rubbery. I think I overcooked it.
Overcooking can definitely make calamari chewy! Next time, try to cook it just until itβs opaque. Youβll get a better texture for sure.
This was amazing! I never cooked calamari before but this recipe made it so easy. The flavors were spot on. Definitely a keeper!
Very simple and quick! Just the way I like it. Added some chili flakes for a kick, yum!
I also love adding chili flakes! It makes everything better. Great idea!
Sounds tasty but I donβt like calamari. Can I use chicken instead?