Grilled Octopus

Making grilled octopus is so much easier than you might think. Maybe you've tried your hand at calamari and want to branch out. Or perhaps you've tried grilled octopus on vacation and wanted to bring a piece of the Mediterranean home with you. Whatever the reason, grilled octopus is worth trying at home. Serve it with Greek Lemon Potatoes and Vegetarian Moussaka for a Greek-inspired meal, or with Spanish Tortilla and Basque Cheesecake for a Spanish-inspired one.

This recipe will feed 4 people if you’re serving it as an appetizer, and 2 people if it’s going to be the main attraction.

Can I grill octopus without boiling?

You can put the octopus straight on the grill, but it's not recommended, since the flesh will burn before it is tenderized. Instead, our method ensures tender octopus through boiling before grilling. The boiling time will vary greatly depending on what size your octopus is. You can make this with a few smaller octopuses rather than one large one; just start checking for tenderness with a fork around the 20 minute mark. No matter the size, you want a fork to slide into the flesh with very little effort. This tells you that the octopus is super tender and ready to be grilled. 

Some chefs swear by adding a wine cork to the pot of water to tenderize octopus, but it's pointless. Simply boil for 45 minutes to 1 hour and then head to the grill.

How long should I grill octopus?

It doesn't take long to grill octopus after boiling. Just 15 to 20 minutes on the grill is long enough to add delicious char to each tentacle. While grilling, take care to tuck the tips of the tentacles on top of the octopus to prevent them from falling into the grates and burning.

How to cut up octopus.

Rather than deal with the slippery, raw sea creature, we prefer to cut it up after grilling. Though it may seem intimidating, it's straightforward once you learn how to do it. Start by cutting the head off the octopus, cleaning out the inside and slicing into rings. Then cut each tentacle away from the center. Discard the center, which holds the hard "beak." Finally, slice the tentacles into pieces.

How should I serve grilled octopus?

The dressing that the grilled octopus is tossed in is merely a suggestion. Have a different herb you like other than parsley? Or maybe some thinly sliced celery sounds good? Go for it! Olive oil, garlic, and lemon are a great jumping off point. This is a perfect place to use a higher quality olive oil because it is not being cooked.

Made this? Let us know how it went in the comments below.