10+ Octopus Recipes for Delicious Seafood Dishes

Octopus is a delicious seafood option that many people love to try in various dishes.

Cooking octopus can be simple and rewarding, allowing you to explore flavors from different cuisines.

Whether you’re grilling it, simmering it, or using it in salads, there are countless ways to prepare this unique ingredient.

If you’re looking to impress your family and friends, octopus recipes can add an exciting twist to your meals. With the right techniques and seasonings, you can transform this fascinating creature into a delightful centerpiece on your dinner table.

Prepare to discover a world of flavors that octopus has to offer!

1) Grilled Octopus with Lemon and Oregano

Grilled octopus with lemon and oregano is a delicious seafood dish. The key to making it tender is to poach the octopus before grilling. This method helps lock in moisture and flavor.

You will need fresh ingredients like lemon juice and olive oil. The oregano adds a pleasant herbal note that pairs well with the octopus.

After grilling, drizzle a bit more olive oil and serve with extra lemon for tanginess. This dish is perfect for outdoor gatherings or a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb octopus, cleaned
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Poach the octopus in boiling water for 30-40 minutes.
2. Let it cool, then cut it into smaller pieces.
3. Mix olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Marinate the octopus pieces in this mixture for at least 20 minutes.
5. Preheat your grill to medium-high (about 375°F or 190°C).
6. Grill the octopus for about 3-4 minutes per side until charred.
7. Serve hot, drizzled with more olive oil and lemon juice.

2) Crispy Marinated Baby Octopus

Cooking crispy marinated baby octopus is simple and delicious. You start by simmering the octopus until it’s tender. A mix of lemon, garlic, and olive oil gives it a flavorful marinade.

Once marinated, sear the octopus in a hot pan for that perfect crispy finish. This dish is great as an appetizer or part of a main course.

Ingredients

• 2 kg (4 lb) baby octopus, rinsed
• 1 onion, halved (skin on)
• 3 parsley stems (with leaves)
• 2 bay leaves (fresh or dried)
• 1 tsp dried red chili
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, add baby octopus, onion, parsley, bay leaves, and red chili.
2. Cover with water and simmer for 45 minutes until tender.
3. Remove octopus and let cool. Discard the other ingredients.
4. Marinate in lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes.
5. Preheat a pan over medium-high heat.
6. Sear the marinated octopus for 3-4 minutes until crispy.

3) Octopus in Garlic (Qarnit bit-Tewm)

Qarnit bit-tewm is a delicious dish featuring tender octopus cooked with garlic. The combination of flavors creates a tasty and aromatic meal.

To make this dish, you will first need to prepare the octopus by cleaning and tenderizing it. Then, you’ll cook it in a mix of garlic, olive oil, and fresh parsley for a savory treat.

This dish can be served as an appetizer or as a main course. Pair it with your favorite bread to soak up those flavorful juices.

Ingredients

• 1 kg octopus
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of half a lemon
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• A bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Clean and tenderize the octopus.
2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Add the octopus and cook for about 15 minutes.
5. Stir in lemon juice, red wine vinegar, parsley, and chili flakes.
6. Cook for an additional 10 minutes until tender. Serve warm.

4) Greek-style Octopus with Honey and Balsamic Vinegar

This Greek-style octopus dish combines the rich flavors of honey and balsamic vinegar. It’s a sweet and tangy treat that’s perfect for dinner. You can impress your guests with this unique recipe.

Start by cleaning the octopus. Marinate it in red wine vinegar, honey, and balsamic vinegar. This step helps enhance the flavor.

Next, grill or bake the octopus until it is tender and has a nice char. The cooking process makes it deliciously smoky. A sprinkle of oregano adds freshness.

You can serve this dish with a side of vegetables or a light salad. It’s not just satisfying but also vibrant and colorful on the plate.

Ingredients

• 1,100g octopus (cleaned)
• 2–3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1–2 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh oregano for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Clean the octopus thoroughly.
2. In a bowl, mix red wine vinegar, honey, and balsamic vinegar.
3. Marinate the octopus for at least 1 hour.
4. Preheat your grill or oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. Grill or bake the octopus until tender and charred, about 25-30 minutes.
6. Season with salt, pepper, and garnish with oregano before serving.

5) Crispy Fried Octopus

Crispy fried octopus is a delicious treat that’s perfect as an appetizer or snack. The key to making it crispy lies in the coating and frying technique. You can use either cornflour or rice flour for a great crunch.

Start by marinating your miniature octopus in ginger and rice wine for flavor. After marinating, coat the pieces well in your chosen flour. Make sure to shake off any excess flour.

Heat oil in a pan to 350°F (175°C) and fry the octopus for about a minute. You’ll want them to turn golden brown and be crispy. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups miniature octopus
• 1/2 cup rice flour or cornflour
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate octopus in ginger and rice wine.
2. Coat octopus in flour.
3. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
4. Fry octopus for 1 minute until golden brown.
5. Serve with dipping sauce.

6) Spanish-style Octopus with Smoked Paprika

Spanish-style octopus with smoked paprika is a delicious dish that’s perfect for any occasion. The dish features tender octopus seasoned with a smoky flavor that enhances its natural taste. You will impress your friends and family with this classic recipe.

To start, prepare your octopus by boiling it until tender. This usually takes about 45 minutes. Once cooked, allow it to cool before slicing it into pieces.

For the seasoning, you’ll need olive oil, sea salt, and smoked paprika. Drizzle the octopus with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and paprika before serving. This adds depth and richness to the flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds octopus
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil a large pot of water and cook the octopus for about 45 minutes.
2. Remove the octopus and let it cool.
3. Slice the octopus into pieces.
4. Drizzle olive oil over the octopus.
5. Sprinkle sea salt and smoked paprika on top before serving.

7) Octopus with Red Wine Vinegar and White Wine

This dish features tender octopus marinated in red wine vinegar and white wine. The combination brings out the natural flavors of the octopus beautifully.

Start by cleaning the octopus carefully. Make a marinade with red wine vinegar, dry white wine, and some olive oil. You can also add honey for a hint of sweetness and seasonings like oregano for extra flavor.

Let the octopus marinate for several hours or overnight for the best results. When ready, simmer the octopus until tender. Cooking it slowly helps achieve the perfect texture.

Grill it for a few minutes to add a smoky flavor before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 kg octopus, cleaned
• 2-3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 100-120 ml dry white wine
• 1-2 tablespoons honey
• Olive oil
• Oregano

Cooking Instructions

1. Clean the octopus thoroughly.
2. In a bowl, mix red wine vinegar, white wine, and olive oil.
3. Add honey and oregano to the marinade.
4. Marinate the octopus for at least 12 hours.
5. Simmer the octopus until tender.
6. Grill briefly to add flavor.

8) Charcoal Grilled Octopus with Herb Drizzle

Charcoal grilling gives octopus a unique, smoky flavor. To start, you should gently poach the octopus to make it tender. Once it’s ready, you can grill it on hot charcoal for a few minutes until it’s nicely charred.

Next, prepare a fresh herb drizzle. This can include olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs like parsley and oregano.

Drizzle this mixture over the grilled octopus for a burst of flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds octopus
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Poach the octopus in simmering water for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
2. Preheat your charcoal grill to high heat (about 450°F or 232°C).
3. Grease the grill with oil.
4. Grill the octopus for 3 minutes on each side, until charred.
5. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, and oregano in a bowl.
6. Drizzle the herb mixture over the grilled octopus before serving.

9) Tender Poached Octopus with Fresh Ginger and Garlic

Poaching octopus is a great way to make it tender and flavorful. You will enjoy the combination of fresh ginger and garlic in this dish.

Start by heating oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add sliced ginger and smashed garlic for an aromatic base.

Next, pour in lobster stock, chili, and soy sauce to create a delicious broth.

Carefully add your cleaned octopus. Make sure it is fully submerged.

Simmer gently for about 45 minutes, or until the octopus becomes tender.

Once done, remove the octopus and let it cool slightly before slicing or serving whole. This dish works well as an appetizer or a main course.

Ingredients

• 1 medium octopus, cleaned
• 4-5 slices of fresh ginger
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, smashed
• 4 cups lobster stock
• Chili flakes to taste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add ginger and garlic. Sauté for a few minutes.
3. Pour in lobster stock, chili, and soy sauce.
4. Add octopus and ensure it is submerged.
5. Simmer for 45 minutes until tender.
6. Remove and let cool before serving.

10) Easy Mediterranean Octopus Salad

This Easy Mediterranean Octopus Salad is fresh and full of flavor. You can have it ready in about 15 minutes. It combines tender octopus, olives, and bright lemon for a tasty dish.

To get started, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Fresh cilantro and kalamata olives add a nice touch. Drizzling with olive oil enhances the taste.

This salad can be served as a light meal or a delicious side. It pairs well with crusty bread or as a topping for tacos.

Ingredients

• 1 pound cooked octopus, chopped
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine the chopped octopus, olives, and cilantro.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve immediately.
6. Enjoy your meal!