Description
This Grilled Octopus recipe delivers tender, charred octopus with a flavorful garlic and olive oil marinade. Perfectly cooked on a hot grill, the octopus is juicy and smoky, ready to be served with fresh lemon wedges and parsley for a Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s simple yet impressive.
Ingredients
Scale
Octopus
- 1 large octopus (about 2–3 lbs), cleaned
Marinade & Seasoning
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Garnish & Serving
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure it is hot enough to give the octopus a nice char and help it cook evenly.
- Dry Octopus: Pat the cleaned octopus dry thoroughly with paper towels; removing excess moisture helps the marinade stick and encourages better caramelization on the grill.
- Marinate: Rub the octopus all over with olive oil, then sprinkle and gently massage in the minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to infuse it with flavor.
- Grill: Place the octopus on the preheated grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side. This process chars the surface while making the octopus tender inside.
- Rest: Remove the grilled octopus from the heat and let it rest for 2 minutes. Resting allows the juices to redistribute for moist, flavorful bites.
- Serve: Slice the octopus into manageable pieces and serve it garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for a bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- Make sure the octopus is fully cleaned and tender before grilling; if not pre-tenderized, consider simmering it lightly before grilling.
- Use fresh lemon wedges to enhance the flavor and add a fresh citrus aroma.
- You can marinate the octopus ahead of time for up to an hour for deeper flavor infusion.
- Charcoal or gas grills both work well; charcoal can add extra smoky flavor.
- Adjust grill time depending on the size of the octopus and the heat of your grill.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
