Description
Experience the art of seafood with our Homemade Grilled Octopus recipe—grilled to perfection, it’s a showstopper for any gathering! This delightful dish balances a smoky char with tender, succulent octopus, making it a unique culinary experience that’s sure to impress your guests and tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Octopus
- 1 kg fresh or frozen octopus
Marinade
- 1/4 cup high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Octopus: Start by cleaning the octopus if necessary. If you have a frozen octopus, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, remove the beak and any innards, and rinse it under cold water.
- Marinate: In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the cleaned octopus and ensure it’s well-coated. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours for deeper flavor.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, let the coals burn down until they’re covered with white ash.
- Grill the Octopus: Once your grill is ready, place the marinated octopus on the grill. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until you achieve a nice char and the octopus is tender. You should see grill marks and a slight crispiness on the outside.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the octopus from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Slice it into portions, drizzle with additional olive oil, and garnish with fresh herbs or lemon wedges before serving.
Notes
- Choose Quality Ingredients: Opt for fresh or high-quality frozen octopus for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t Rush the Marinade: The longer you marinate, the more flavorful your octopus will be.
- Patience on the Grill: Allow the octopus to cook without moving it too much for perfect grill marks.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to tweak the marinade to suit your taste preferences.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: For perfectly cooked octopus, aim for an internal temperature of about 145°F.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: grilled octopus, seafood, Mediterranean recipe, summer grilling