What Sauces Go With Calamari? Top Choices!
Calamari may be a bit intimidating to home cooks at first, but for those who love it, there’s nothing quite like the crispy, chewy, salty goodness of this seafood delicacy.
But let’s be real: you really need a delicious sauce to complement this dish and make it shine to its full potential.
Whether you want to keep it classic with tartar or marinara, or you want to get a little experimental and try something like cilantro lime or chimichurri, we’ve got you covered right here with all the must-try ideas for your next seafood next.
Without any further ado, let’s dive right in!
The Best Sauces for Calamari
Maybe you’re in a rush to get cracking with dinner, and you just need to grab some fast and easy ideas.
No worries!
Some of the best sauces to serve with calamari include:
- Tartar sauce
- Marinara sauce
- Aioli sauce
- Cocktail sauce
- Sweet chilli sauce
- Spicy mayo
- Cilantro lime
- Lemon butter
- Romesco
Keep reading for more ideas, as well as tasty recipes for you to recreate in your home kitchen.
(By the way, for side dish inspiration, be sure to take a look at what to serve with calamari!)
Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce is a classic, creamy condiment that pairs excellently with seafood, including calamari.
It’s typically made with mayonnaise, pickles, capers, and sometimes a hint of lemon or mustard.
Given its tangy, slightly acidic taste, tartar sauce cuts through the richness of the fried calamari, providing a delightful balance of flavours.
Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce, a rich and flavourful tomato-based sauce, complements calamari perfectly.
It’s typically made with ripe tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and various herbs like basil and oregano.
The acidity in the tomatoes adds a nice contrast to the tender, savoury calamari texture. You can make marinara sauce from scratch or use a pre-made one if you prefer to save time.
Aioli
Aioli, a Mediterranean sauce made from a combination of garlic, mayonnaise, and olive oil, is another delicious option for dipping calamari.
The strong garlic flavour and creamy consistency beautifully enhance the taste of the calamari.
You may even add a touch of lemon juice to brighten the flavour, or experiment with other aioli variations such as sriracha mayo or lemon-basil aioli.
Cocktail Sauce
Cocktail sauce is a slightly spicy, tangy option that pairs wonderfully with seafood dishes like calamari.
This sauce consists of ketchup, horseradish, and sometimes a bit of lemon juice or Worcestershire sauce.
It’s the horseradish kick and tanginess of the sauce that truly lifts the taste of the calamari while adding some zesty intrigue!
Sweet Chili Sauce
For those who enjoy a bit of heat with their calamari, sweet chili sauce is an excellent choice.
This Asian dipping sauce combines sweetness with spicy warmth from red chili peppers.
A perfect contrast to the mild flavours of calamari, sweet chili sauce brings a vibrant and exciting twist to the dish.
Remoulade Sauce
Remoulade sauce is a popular choice for calamari due to its tangy, creamy profile.
To make your own, combine mayonnaise, mustard, capers, gherkins, and a touch of lemon juice.
This sauce strikes a delightful balance of creamy and zesty, making it the perfect accompaniment to your crispy calamari.
In addition, remoulade pairs well with many other seafood dishes, so it’s a versatile option to have in your sauce repertoire.
Garlic Aioli
Another great creamy option is garlic aioli, which is essentially a garlic-infused mayonnaise.
To make this delicious sauce, whisk together egg yolks, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt.
Slowly drizzle in olive oil while continuing to whisk, creating a thick and emulsified mixture.
Finish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley, and you’ve got a luscious, garlicky sauce that works wonderfully with calamari and other seafood dishes.
Spicy Mayo
For those who enjoy a kick of heat with their calamari, a spicy mayo is an ideal choice.
Simply mix mayonnaise, sriracha or another hot sauce, and a squeeze of lime juice.
The spiciness of the hot sauce contrasts beautifully with the rich, creaminess of the mayonnaise, providing a perfect balance of flavours.
Feel free to adjust the heat level to your preference, as this sauce is easy to customise.
Cilantro Lime
Cilantro lime sauce is another amazing option with its zesty, fresh, and aromatic characteristics.
To make this creamy delight, blend together sour cream, freshly chopped cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
The distinctive taste of cilantro combined with the zingy lime creates a fantastic contrast to the rich, savoury taste of calamari.
Fish Sauce
When it comes to pairing calamari with a sauce, fish sauce is undoubtedly a popular choice.
This savoury and salty sauce complements the delicate flavour of calamari perfectly.
You can make a simple dip by mixing fish sauce with some lime juice, brown sugar, and a bit of chopped garlic.
This adds a tangy and slightly sweet kick to your seafood dish. Feel free to adjust the proportions according to your taste preferences.
Shrimp Sauce
Shrimp sauce is another excellent option for pairing with calamari.
This sauce typically contains a blend of mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce.
It offers a tangy, creamy, and slightly spicy flavour that goes well with various seafood, including calamari.
Some variations of shrimp sauce may include chopped pickles or lemon juice for an extra dimension of flavour. To make your own shrimp sauce, combine the following ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons horseradish (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Optional: chopped pickles, lemon juice
Simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl, and your shrimp sauce is ready to serve.
Lemon Butter
Lemon butter is a classic choice when it comes to seafood pairings, and calamari is no exception.
This rich, velvety sauce combines the two primary components – lemon juice and melted butter – enhanced with a bit of minced garlic and chopped parsley for a burst of freshness.
To make a quick and easy lemon butter sauce, follow the steps below:
- Melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Add the juice of half a lemon (about 1-2 tablespoons) and a clove of minced garlic. Stir to combine.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley.
Serve the warm lemon butter sauce alongside your calamari for a timeless and delicious pairing.
Chimichurri
When it comes to calamari, adding some international flair to your dish can truly elevate the flavours.
One such sauce is chimichurri, a beloved Argentinean sauce made from fresh herbs, garlic, vinegar, and oil. This vibrant green sauce pairs wonderfully with calamari for several reasons.
Firstly, the acidity from the vinegar cuts through the richness of the fried or grilled seafood, while the garlic and herbs add an extra layer of depth to the dish.
Using chimichurri as your calamari dipping sauce is a delightful departure from traditional options like tartare or marinara.
Romesco Sauce
Another delicious international choice for what sauces go with calamari is Romesco.
Originally from Spain, Romesco sauce is made with roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic, and vinegar. This savoury sauce boasts a slightly sweet and zesty flavour, making it a perfect accompaniment to calamari.
Being thick enough to coat the seafood without making it soggy, it complements rather than overpowers the subtle taste of the calamari.
The complex flavours of Romesco sauce work well with both fried and grilled calamari, adding a delightful Spanish touch to your dish.
As you can see, there are plenty of delicious choices when it comes to what sauces go with calamari. Select your favourite, and get to work!
