Easy Grilled Octopus Recipe
Easy Grilled Octopus Recipe – tender, lightly seasoned and charred octopus that tastes amazing!
Grilled octopus, made at home, can it get any better?
Ordering octopus at a restaurant could be pricey.
I don’t mind paying for a nicely cooked octopus, but at times, let’s say often times is could be undercooked and chewy.
That’s why, I learned how to make it at home.
I’m excited to share this Easy Grilled Octopus Recipe with you today.
And it is so easy. I can’t believe it.
This easy grilled octopus recipe is perfect for an appetizer with a glass of chilled white wine.
Great for summer.
My whole family loves this recipe and it is so simple, but flavorful and delicious.
How to make this Easy Grilled Octopus?
This is the way I like to prepare octopus of any size baby, medium or large.
- I always boil it first, then let it cool down to room temperature and quickly grill it, so it gets a nice char.
- Then I season it with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, dried oregano, fresh parsley and garlic (optional).
- After grilling you can use a mix of your favorite spices, if the ones I’m suggesting don’t sound good to you.
Why make octopus at home?
I know it could be intimidating to try cooking octopus at home, but believe me it is so easy!
You’ll definitely impress your guests of you offer some charred octopus at your next party.
Since a good octopus dish, means tender octopus, you do need to boil it first.
What size octopus to use when making it on the grill?
This time I used medium sized octopus (they sold it to me for “baby”, but it was way bigger than baby octopus).
It was fresh, I don’t really enjoy cooking frozen seafood…
I cut the heads and removed the beak, it is in between all the legs, on the inside.
How long to boil octopus?
Boiled it for 40-45 minutes. Then I let it rest for 30 minutes.
You can let it sit in the fridge overnight or even freeze it for up to 1 month.
While the octopus was resting at room temperature, I drizzled some olive oil over it and added some chopped garlic, so it can get some seasoning, before grilling.
I cut its tentacles and grilled it over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
Then I added some seasoning and served it.
If you are cooking for a crowd, I recommend cooking 1 pound of octopus per person.
If you like octopus and are curious to try and make it yourself, you should definitely try this grilling recipe.
Or I also have an easy pesto shrimp skewers recipe, also made on the grill, great for a seafood feast.
Do you love seafood?
Other Seafood Recipes:
EASY GRILLED OCTOPUS RECIPE
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh octopus — (baby, medium or large)
- olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves — , roughly chopped
- Juice from 1 lemon
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
-
Place octopus in a pot and cover with enough water. Bring to a boil. Boil for 40 minutes.
-
Remove octopus from hot water, rinse and place in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and add chopped garlic. Let is cool and rest at room temperature, for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
-
Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat.
-
Slice octopus tentacles. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side, until charred.
-
Remove from heat and place in a bowl.
-
Drizzle with olive oil and add lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle some oregano (optional) and parsley on top. You can also add some chopped garlic, too (optional).
-
Serve.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 378, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 217mg, Sodium: 1043mg, Potassium: 1587mg, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 67g, Vitamin A: 680%, Vitamin C: 26.5%, Calcium: 246%, Iron: 24.1%
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I have never worked with octopus at home before!!!! I love the recipe! this looks amazing!!!
Thanks Alice! I’ve tried many times, but it was either too dry or gummy! This method of cooking worked 🙂
Oh what a great idea, Mira! My husband and I often order octopus for an appetizer, but I never thought to make it at home! I’m loving this version…so easy!
Looks absolutely delicious. Huge huge fan of octopus but rarely get a chance to eat it. Love your website.
Thanks Chris!!!
Octopus is one of my favorites!!! Thanks for sharing! <3 –
My husband loves octopus…I guess I’d better learn how to make it for him! Thanks for your recipe!
I’ve never made octopus before and I love that you grilled it! Stunning photos, Mira!
I have never grilled octopus & not sure I would try it. But, my brother loves it. I’ll have to send him a link to your recipe. Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight Party. Pinned & shared.
Wondering where my best chance to get fresh octopus would be. I live in South Florida and the best local seafood monge r only has frozen.
Hi Karen, I get them from a local fish marker, I have no idea where they ship them from, but I can ask, I’m in Chicago.
Do you cover the pot when you boil it ?
No, I don’t cover it
Captain Clay’s Fish Market in Delray is fantastic fish monger. That’s were I got mine. All octopus comes frozen.
Even if you buy an octopus freshly caught, it is best to freeze it for a couple of days before eating it. The freezing process breaks down the fibers inside the octopus, making it more tender and easier to cook, and giving it the best texture.
Yes, frozen is more tender. It is hard to ind unfrozen these dsys.
Tried this “easy” octopus recipe after catching one by accident. Turned out great but I used a grilling tray because i was afraid it would fall between grates. It did not char as much but the family gulped it down.
Thanks Paul! Yes, depending on the grill, there is a possibility to fall between the grates. I’m glad you liked it 🙂
I was not able to get fresh, only frozen Octopus. Should I let it thaw first before putting it in the the water to boil, or can I put it in still frozen?
Hi Mary, Yes, definitely thaw it first, then boil, then grill it.
Super easy recipe to follow. Years ago while stationed in the Azores, I was treated to my first plate of Octopus. I have been a lover of it ever since.
We are lucky as we have a large Greek community not far from where we live. It is available year around.
I am prepping a medium to large one now for our enjoyment later this evening while watching the Superbowl.
I was looking for something different when I found you.
Thank you for sharing such good eating recipes.
David
Thanks David! This will be perfect for Super Bowl! I’ll also be making it later today 🙂
This recipe is amazing! Simple, easy and has a lot of flavor.
This is one of my family’s favorite dishes!
Will this recipe work well if I season before boiling?
No, I wouldn’t season before boiling, it needs to be seasoned while still warm, after it is cooked.
Never tried octopus recipe as described above.will do that soon and, hopefully if successful, post it here
Ok, I hope you like it!
Maybe a dumb question, but do you only grill the legs or does the head get sliced up and grilled too? Tkanks!
Hi Rick, not dumb at all! Make sure the head is clean and you can grill it, it tastes good! I usually grill it!
Going to try this recipe tonight . I’m a big fan of octopus ,never had it char grilled . Let you know how my guest like it and how I presented it.
Hope you like it!
I’m trying your grilled octopus recipe now. I have 1 pound of octopus and wondered if I still boil it for 40 minutes? Your recipe is for 2 pounds. Thanks love your site!
Hi Kelly,
I think you should still boil it for 4 min. Let me know how it turns.
I decided to try cooking octopus myself and was looking for the perfect recipe. Let me tell you, I definitely found it! The octopus turned out AMAZING. It was juicy, tender, and delicious. I’m going to buy more octopus and make this again!
This recipe for grilled octopus looks amazing. I do not have a gas grill. Can I use a George Forman grill or a grill pan over the gas burners?
Hi,
Yes grill pan and gas burners will work for this recipe. Hope you like it!
(I forgot to rate the recipe and I couldn’t figure out how to edit my comment, so I’m posting it again!) I decided to try cooking octopus myself and was looking for the perfect recipe. Let me tell you, I definitely found it! The octopus turned out AMAZING. It was juicy, tender, and delicious. I’m going to buy more octopus and make this again!
Hi, how octopus needs to be cleaned? Thanks
Hi,
The only thing that needs to be removed is the head bone, otherwise octopus comes pretty clean from the store. Also rinse under cold water. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPCj7alVBk0
Is there a typo? Should I boil for 40 min? or 4 min?
I see no typo. Boil for 40 minutes, then grill for 3-4 minutes per side.
I do see the typo, in your comments earlier ?. Great recipe !
Do you remove the beak after removing the head, and is the beak on the head, or in the middle of the legs? Sorry, just found that a little confusing.
Thanks!
There is no beak on the legs.
You remove it from the head, then boil, then grill the legs and head (consuming the head without the bone is optional).
Do you piece the octopus before boiling (boil whole) or chopped for the 40 minutes. I just bought octopus chunks from my fish monger. Thank you
Hi Debra,
I boiled it whole. If you have pieces, I think they will boil much faster so boil them for 25-30 min. Hope this helps!
Fabulous, thank you!
Always buy frozen. Never fresh, unless you are going to blanch and then stir fry. Ffreezing the octopus is automatic tender when thawed. Worked in restaurants all over the world. This is the only way. It’s up to how long and meathod of cooking. But always buy frozen.
Great info, thank you! Hope you enjoy the recipe!
This recipe looks great! I’m keen to do this but have 1 question. I caught an octopus this morning, it’s about 4 pounds in weight. My question is: do I need to tenderize it or hammer it, before the 40 minute boil?
Thanks.
Yes, you can gently tenderize it. Hope you like it.
I’m so excited to try this! My dad shipped me an octopus! My question is why you don’t add all of the seasoning until the end? Why not fully season before grilling? Thanks so much!
Great and easy recipe! Tried it and it worked great dozens of times. Thanks for sharing it.
Hi – we buy frozen octopus tentacles – I thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, and then boil for 30 mins – make a marinade w/ olive oil, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, & oregano – let the octopus sit in a covered glass bowl 3-4 hrs (turning once) – then grill, 4 mins per side – still comes out a little chewy – SO, wondering about the directions in your recipe, specifically ‘slice octopus tentacles’ – what does that mean? Thanks. Dave
My husband and myself tried this octopus recipe for dinner tonight. It was so easy
to make and was delicious. We will definitely make it again for guests next time. They
will certainly enjoy it as much as we did. Thank you for posting it.
Never had octopus before but decided to try this recipe. Delicious! I added fresh squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon zest as I love lemon with my seafood. Will definitely make it again. Question: if using baby octopus would you still need to boil them? If so, for how long?
Hi, sometimes it is not necessary to boil baby octopus, but I can never tell how tender it is, this is why I boil it for about 20 minutes.
I did mine last night added touch of chilli, since Asian running in my blood 😊 And it was excellent. Thank you for the recipe. Easy and briliant
Great! Glad you liked it Dian!
Scrumptious and so easy! Served it with dirty rice, greens and hot sauce.
Hi we buy frozen here about 3 pounds. We boiled unthawed for 40 minutes and it was so tough. If we thaw it completely does it still need to be boiled? And how do we know when it’s tender? Any help would be much appreciated!
Yes, this recipe works for thawed octopus. It is about 20 nminutes of boiling time per 2 lb (1 kilo) octopus, that has been thawed.
I don’t know how long it will take to cook frozen unthawed octopus, but it will be around double the time.
How thick should the sliced tentacles should be?
It doesn’t matter, I usually cut into bite sized pieces.
Good morning
Would you please add me to your regular recipe mailing out list
Thank you
Don
Ye, I’ll add you. Thanks!
I’m going to make this for Christmas Eve dinner.