Name: Squid Salad with Cucumber, Watercress, and Cilantro
Yield: 4 Servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for grill; 1 pound squid (bodies and tentacles), cleaned; Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper; 2 tablespoons (or more) unseasoned rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon (or more) chili oil; 2 Persian cucumbers or 1 English hothouse cucumber, thinly sliced lengthwise; 1/2 bunch watercress, thick stems trimmed (about 2 cups); 1/2 bunch cilantro, thick stems trimmed (about 1 cup)

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Squid Salad with Cucumber, Watercress, and CilantroMichael Graydon + Nikole Herriott

A dressing of only vinegar and chili oil ties this salad together.

Cooks' Note

When buying the cephalopod du jour, order a mix of bodies and tentacles for different textures and visuals, and ask your fishmonger to clean the squid, if it's not already. It's basically foolproof, needing little more than a hot grill, a drizzle of oil, and a squeeze of lemon. (Though it also belongs in this spicy, crispy, summery salad.)

Recipe information

Yield
4 Servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for grill

1 pound squid (bodies and tentacles), cleaned

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons (or more) unseasoned rice vinegar

1 tablespoon (or more) chili oil

2 Persian cucumbers or 1 English hothouse cucumber, thinly sliced lengthwise

1/2 bunch watercress, thick stems trimmed (about 2 cups)

1/2 bunch cilantro, thick stems trimmed (about 1 cup)

Preparation

Step 1
Prepare grill for medium-high heat; oil grate. Toss squid with 1 tablespoon oil in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper.
Step 2
Grill squid, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Transfer squid to a cutting board and slice bodies into bite-size pieces.
Step 3
Toss squid with vinegar and chili oil in a clean large bowl. Add cucumbers, watercress, and cilantro and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and more vinegar and chili oil, if desired.

TagsSalad Cucumber Vegetable Watercress Leafy Greens Cilantro Herbs & Spices Main Dinner Dairy Free Nut Free Gluten Free Weeknight Meals Grilling Bon Appétit

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

11 Ways to Use Cilantro
This leafy green herb can be a whole lot more than just a simple garnish.
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Salad doesn't translate to light on flavor.

Recipe information

Ingredients

Preparation

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Recipe notes

11 Ways to Use Cilantro

A Week of Entrée-Worthy Salads