Description
This grilled octopus recipe delivers tender, flavorful seafood with a perfect char from the grill. Marinated simply with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, the octopus is grilled to perfection and served with fresh lemon wedges and parsley for a bright, Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s simple yet impressive.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 large octopus (about 2–3 lbs), cleaned
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure it’s hot enough for a good sear and to cook the octopus evenly.
- Dry the octopus: Pat the octopus dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a nice char when grilling.
- Season the octopus: Rub the octopus all over with olive oil, then evenly coat it with minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to infuse flavor and help it brown on the grill.
- Grill the octopus: Place the octopus on the preheated grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side. This method chars the exterior while keeping the meat tender inside.
- Rest the octopus: Remove the octopus from the grill and allow it to rest for 2 minutes to let the juices redistribute.
- Serve: Slice the octopus into pieces and serve garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for squeezing over.
Notes
- For extra tenderness, you can boil the octopus for 30-45 minutes before grilling if desired.
- Use tongs to turn the octopus carefully to avoid tearing the flesh.
- Adjust grilling time slightly depending on the size of your octopus, ensuring it becomes tender but not overcooked.
- Marinating the octopus for 1 hour before grilling can enhance flavor.
