Grilled Octopus

Want to impress your friends with a Grilled Octopus Recipe? You’ll get a lot of compliments are your next holiday party or Saturday night dinner party if you bring out a Grilled Octopus Appetizer you made yourself!

Octopus on the Grill.

Grilled Octopus can be prepared many different ways. You will hear many different answers and a wide variety of opinions from people on how you should properly cook Octopus so they are fork tender. For this Grilled Octopus recipe because you will be working with small tentacles keep it very simple and very quick. Place the room temperature Octopus on an oiled grill over high heat for a very short period of time. It depends on the size of the tentacles, but you will only need to place them on the grill over high heat for about 6 minutes per side to thoroughly cook them and give them nice sear marks. This is not the type of recipe that you put the Octopus on the grill and walk away or get distracted because the worst thing you can do when cooking Octopus is overcook them. Think gnawing on a rubber band. Ugh….

Grilled Octopus Appetizer with fresh parsley, red onion, and lemon wedges.

Is Grilled Octopus good?

Yes, grilled Octopus is very good as an appetizer or as a meal with a side dish. This recipe is a great appetizer during the Holidays or for just a nice relaxing evening outside. However, grilled octopus is also a great dinner by adding a side. Potatoes or Fava Beans are two popular sides to go along with the grilled tentacles.

Octopus on the Grill

Should I simmer Octopus?

Some folks suggest placing Octopus in simmering water and slowly cooking them for long periods of time to help keep the Octopus tender. I agree some large sized Octopus should be simmered first before grilling. You should not do that for this recipe if you are using small tentacles. The only cooking that needs to be done is placing them on a hot grill for a few minutes a side. I like to get a slight sear mark on the lower portion of the tentacles, but don’t let them burn. Besides simmering, you will hear other people swear by adding a cork or lemon to the water to help the cooking process. Others will beat the poor Octopus with a hammer on a cutting board or on a rock by the Ocean while people stand around and pray with fingers crossed all to achieve the mythical tender Octopus.

Bottom line, there are a lot of theories on how to tenderize Octopus, but like anything in life you just have to go out and try something new and see what works for you!

Octopus on the grill

Octopus often comes cleaned and prepared without the head. You can often purchase small tentacles like these that are ready to throw on the grill. Very convenient!

Octopus Tentacles on the grill with Sear Marks.

This Octopus recipe is easy to prepare!

After you take the Octopus off the grill it’s very easy to prepare. Chop up the Octopus into small pieces. Add chopped parsley, olive oil, red onion, and some vinegar. I don’t like overpowering vinegar, so for this recipe I use a German Vinegar. Never heard of German Vinegar? I’m sure you’ve tried German Potato salad though. A lot of folks like lemon or balsamic vinegar as well. Your choice!

Chopped Grilled Octopus with red onion and parsley

When should I serve Octopus?

The nice thing about this Octopus recipe is the variety of times you can put it on the table. Because this Octopus recipe is not a huge portion here are a few great ideas of when to serve grilled Octopus.

• it’s a great summer appetizer while sitting on your deck and enjoying a summer cocktail.
• Octopus is also a great no meat alternative on Fridays in the spring.
• This recipe works great on Christmas or New Years eve as well!
• Any Saturday night dinner party will have impressed guests if you make your own grilled Octopus Appetizer!

Chopped Octopus appetizer

Is Octopus healthy to eat?

Yes, Octopus is healthy. Seafood is often high protein and low carb and Octopus is no exception. Take a chance next time you are at the seafood section of your grocery store and pick up some Octopus. You most likely will find Octopus in the frozen section, so you will need to defrost it before you put it on the grill.

So go ahead and try making some Octopus on the Grill! You’ll love the combination of sliced Octopus with the gentle taste of German Vinegar and fresh parsley!

Plated Grilled Octopus with Lemon Wedges

Print Recipe

Grilled Octopus Appetizer

By Drew – Serves: 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes – Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Octopus tentacles that are grilled and then chopped. Parsley, a really good olive oil, and red onion complete this appetizer.

Ingredients

• 5 Octopus Tentacles
• Handful of chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup sliced chopped red onion
• Rice Wine Vinegar or German Vinegar
• Olive Oil

Instructions

1

Slice and rough chop a red onion. Need a 1/2 cup.

2

Chop one handful of fresh parsley.

3

Place the room temperature cleaned Octopus on a gas grill over that has been heated to 400 degrees. The Octopus should be over direct heat for 6 minutes a side.

4

Once the Octopus is taken off the grill, chop into small pieces.

5

Add the parsley, red onion, and vinegar to a bowl along with the Octopus. Mix

6

Once plated drizzle with olive oil.

Notes

***Try to use a high quality olive oil***