The secret to having clean, delicious boiled snails without any fishy taste

Boiled snails are a favorite dish for many people. Although easy to make, creating a delicious snail dish requires careful selection and preparation of the snails.

0
89

To get delicious boiled snails, it is not simply a matter of putting the snails in a pot and boiling them. It is a combination of many secrets, from selecting the snails, cleaning them, choosing the spices for boiling, to the specific boiling techniques described below.

How to choose good snails

When buying snails, to know if the snails are good and fat, you can lightly press the snail’s mouth with your finger. If the snail scales are right next to the mouth, it means that the snail is fat. If the scales are deep inside the shell, the snail is skinny.

If the scales of the snail are deep inside and there is a strange smell, it means that the snail is dead or rotten.


To have a clean and delicious boiled snail dish, you need to be careful in the process of selecting snails.

According to folk experience, when eating snails, you should eat them during the first few days or last few days of the lunar month, at this time the snails are fat with no smaller snails inside.

The best types of snails for boiling are rock snails, twisted snails, and mit snails.

Tips for cleaning snails

Snails often have a slimy substance and contain a lot of dirt. Therefore, after buying them, you need to clean them to remove impurities and make the snails more delicious after cooking.

Here are some small tips to help you clean snails quickly and effectively.

Use rice washing water: The best way to remove slime and dirt from snails is using rice washing water. Use a bowl filled with rice washing water and soak the snails for about 1-2 hours, all the dirt in the snail’s mouth will automatically come out. Just rinse it with water to have clean snails for cooking delicious dishes.

In addition, you can soak the snails in water mixed with vinegar, lime, and chili. All of these methods help to clean the snails better and reduce sand and dirt in the snail meat.

How to cook delicious boiled snails

After cleaning, you should put a few ginger leaves, ginger, or lemongrass lightly crushed at the bottom of the pot, then pour the snails in, add a little salt and a little water, and then boil them. The aroma of the spices will make the snails no longer fishy and have a fragrant smell after boiling.

Note: Do not add too much water to the pot, it will make the snails lose their sweetness.


The dipping sauce is considered the soul of the boiled snail dish.

In addition, you only need to boil the snails for 2-3 minutes, until the snail scales come off, do not boil them for too long as it will cause the snail meat to shrink, break, and become tough. During the cooking process, do not open or stir the snails in the pot before it boils.

How to make the perfect dipping sauce for boiled snails

Ginger fish sauce: Making ginger fish sauce is quite simple. First, you need to crush the ginger, squeeze out the juice. Next, mix it well with fresh chili and minced garlic. Then, add a little sugar and fish sauce to taste, and stir until the mixture thickens. Finally, just squeeze a little lemon juice into a bowl, sprinkle some shredded ginger on top, and you have made the perfect tasty dipping sauce for snails.

Tamarind fish sauce: You sauté purple onions and garlic until fragrant, then add tamarind concentrate, fish sauce, white sugar, and water to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring until the spices are well combined. Wait for about 1 minute for the mixture to thicken, then turn off the heat. After that, just serve the tamarind fish sauce in a bowl, add some chopped chili, and it’s done.

Source: VTC.vn

You may also like

The 10 Most Tempting Snacks to Try When Visiting Da Lat

Are you planning a trip to Da Lat and are curious about the delicious snacks you should try? Then, you have arrived at the right place! Dien May XANH brings you a list of the top 10 snacks that must not be missed when visiting this stunning city known for its cool climate and cuisine!

How to Choose Fresh Seafood: Important Cabinet Tips

In recent years, concerns have been raised over the practice of injecting urea and chemicals into seafood, making it difficult to find safe and fresh options. To help, DienmayXANH.com offers some tips on how to select the best seafood available. Seafood is a rich, delicious, and nutritious source of food, and this advice will help ensure you make the most of it.

Preparing Snails with a Tangy Lime & Lemongrass Flavor

Are you looking to make something extraordinary and flavorful? Then you’re in luck! Here’s an easy but scrumptious recipe for boiled snails – get ready to impress your friends with this delicious dish!

Sofaking Clams and Mussels Two Hours to Release Sand

Are you tired of spending hours upon hours cleaning up sand? If so, you’re in luck! A new solution has been found: clams and mussels can get the job done in just two hours! Wondering how it works? Read on to find out!

The renowned specialty of Ly Son garlic is now available in the form of Nam Ngư Ly Son garlic and chili sauce

Have you caught up with the latest trend of Masan’s brand new Nam Ngư chili garlic fish sauce? Let’s quickly and thoroughly explore it in the following article, shall we?

Frequently asked questions

Soak the snails in a mixture of water and vinegar for 30 minutes to an hour. This will help remove any dirt, slime, or fishy taste. Rinse them thoroughly with water, and then boil them with fresh ginger and lemongrass. This will give the snails a pleasant aroma and taste. You can also add other spices and herbs like garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns to enhance the flavor further.

The foam that forms during boiling contains impurities and can affect the taste and texture of the snails. Removing it ensures that the snails are clean and have a better mouthfeel. Use a spoon or ladle to skim the foam off the surface periodically throughout the boiling process.

Snails are a good source of protein and essential amino acids. They also contain important vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. Eating snails can provide nutritional benefits and is considered a delicacy in many cultures.

Boil the snails for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Overcooking them can make the snails tough and rubbery, so it’s important to keep an eye on the boiling time. The snails are done when their shells are easy to remove and the meat is tender.

Serve boiled snails hot, and provide picks or small forks to remove the meat from the shells easily. You can eat snails as is or dip them in various sauces like garlic butter, cocktail sauce, or a vinegar-based dip. Enjoy them as a snack or appetizer, or include them in pasta dishes or salads.