Description
A versatile and flavorful collection of baby octopus recipes—marinated, grilled, and crispy—that bring Mediterranean and Asian culinary traditions to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb baby octopus, cleaned
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder (for grilled version)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (for crispy version)
- ¼ cup cornstarch (for crispy version)
- Oil for frying
- Lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse and clean the baby octopus under cold water. Remove the beak and trim any tough parts if needed.
- Boil the octopus with aromatics (lemon slices, garlic, bay leaf) for 20–30 minutes to tenderize.
- For the marinated version: whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper. Marinate octopus for at least 2 hours or overnight. Sear on a grill pan for 2–3 minutes per side until caramelized.
- For the grilled version: toss boiled octopus with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Grill on medium-high for 2–3 minutes per side until slightly crispy.
- For crispy bites: pat dry boiled octopus, then coat with a mixture of flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes until golden. Drain on paper towels.
Notes
Pair baby octopus with Greek salad, tzatziki, or roasted potatoes for a full meal. For Asian-inspired flair, try marinades with soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger. Don’t skip tenderizing for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Boiled, Grilled, Fried
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: baby octopus, seafood recipes, grilled octopus, fried octopus, marinated octopus