Squid vs Calamari: The Difference and How to Cook Each

The two names are sometimes used interchangeably, but they differ in size, texture and preferred cooking: • Calamari is usually smaller and more tender — best flash-fried or grilled for a few minutes. • Squid is larger and firmer — suited to slow cooking, stews and stuffing. The golden rule: cook it very fast over high heat, or low and slow — anything in between can turn it rubbery.