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This easy grilled octopus recipe makes tender, lightly seasoned octopus with just the right char.
It’s a dish you’d expect in a Greek seaside taverna, but it’s simple enough to prepare at home.
Paired with a crisp salad and a glass of chilled white wine, it’s an appetizer (or light dinner) that seafood lovers shouldn’t miss.
I live in Europe now and go to Greece quite often.
I rarely happen to taste a better cooked octopus than mine.
This cooking method is amazing!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The boil-then-grill method guarantees tender every time. No rubbery texture, no guessing — the simmering does the work, and the grill adds the char in just 3–4 minutes per side.
- It tastes like something you’d order at a Greek taverna. That’s not an accident — this is the method I’ve tested many times after eating octopus all over Greece.
Ingredients For Homemade Octopus
- fresh octopus (baby, medium, or large)
- Olive oil
- garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- dried oregano
- fresh parsley, chopped
How to Make Grilled Octopus
The key is the boil first.
Place the octopus in a large pot, cover with water, and simmer for 40–60 minutes — about 45 minutes per 2 pounds.
You’ll know it’s ready when a fork slides easily into the thickest part where the head meets the tentacles.
Once it comes out of the pot, drizzle it with olive oil and chopped garlic and let it rest for 30–60 minutes.
That resting time is what gives you the flavor.
After that the grill does the work in minutes.
Cut the tentacles into 2–3 inch pieces, grill on medium-high for 3–4 minutes per side until you get that light char, then finish with lemon juice, oregano, and parsley.
No grill? A hot cast iron skillet works just as well.
Recipe Tips
- Portions: Plan on – 1 pound per person if serving as a main.
- Frozen vs. Fresh: Fresh octopus tastes better, but frozen can work – thaw fully before boiling.
- Tenderizing: Freezing overnight naturally tenderizes octopus if using fresh.
- Flavor Boosts: Add bay leaf or peppercorns to the boiling water for subtle flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Small to medium octopus cook faster and are easier to handle, but large octopus works if boiled longer.
Yes — boiling ensures tenderness. Grilling alone will leave octopus tough and chewy.
Pierce with a fork where the tentacles meet the head. If it slides in easily, it’s ready.
Classic Mediterranean flavors: olive oil, lemon, garlic, oregano, parsley. Add thyme, rosemary, or chives if you like.
Serving Suggestions
- As an appetizer with a glass of chilled white wine.
- With a light salad like my Cucumber Radish Salad.
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
Video
Instructions
- Place octopus in a pot and cover with enough water. Bring to a boil. Boil for 40 minutes. The rule is 40–60 min, about 45 min per 2 lb.
- 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. Alternatively cook in a pan on the stove top.
- 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.
Notes
- Best size: Baby or medium octopus works best, but large can be used too.
- How long to boil: Simmer for 40–60 minutes (about 45 minutes per 2 lbs). Test by inserting a fork where the head meets the tentacles. It should slide in and out easily.
- Seasoning ideas: Drizzle with lemon juice (or vinegar), olive oil, garlic, oregano, parsley. Other herbs like thyme, rosemary, and chives work well too.
- Serving suggestions: Pairs beautifully with crisp salads, feta cheese, olives, and capers.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Other Seafood Recipes:
- Something for a weeknight dinner – Sablefish In Foil
- For taco lovers, my kids’ favorite Blackened Cod Fish Tacos
- In just a few minutes you can make tender Grilled Mahi Mahi fish
Love the step by step pictures, so easy to make, tasted amazing!
Thanks, I just tried this reciepe put it in the fridge going to cook tonight
Hope you liked it1
Have you cooked the octopus using an air fryer?
Hi, I never tried it, but can certainly do. It could be tricky to not over cook it, and for sure it will require different cooking time depending on the type of air fryer.