Description
Mediterranean cuisine reaches new heights with smoky charred octopus, delivering robust flavors that dance between tender seafood and bold spices. Grilled to perfection and seasoned with aromatic herbs, you’ll savor a culinary journey that brings coastal Greece right to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 octopus, cleaned and tenderized
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Liquids and Oils:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon (approximately 2 tablespoons or 30 milliliters)
Instructions
- Thoroughly cleanse the octopus under cold water, meticulously removing the beak, eyes, and internal organs.
- Select a tenderizing method: either submerge in boiling water for 35 minutes or vigorously massage with coarse salt for 7 minutes, then rinse completely.
- Create a vibrant marinade by whisking together fragrant olive oil, crushed garlic, zesty lemon juice, aromatic dried oregano, and seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Generously coat the octopus in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage, then refrigerate for 2-3 hours to intensify flavor absorption.
- Fire up the grill to 400°F, creating a medium-high heat environment for optimal charring.
- Carefully extract the octopus from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip away, then position directly on hot grill grates.
- Grill for approximately 18 minutes, rotating midway to achieve a beautifully caramelized exterior while maintaining internal tenderness. Monitor closely to prevent overcooking.
- Once perfectly charred, transfer to a decorative platter, let rest for 3-4 minutes to redistribute juices, then serve alongside complementary Mediterranean accompaniments.
Notes
- Maximize tenderness by gently massaging the octopus with coarse salt before cooking, which helps break down tough muscle fibers and ensures a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Marinate overnight for deeper Mediterranean flavor infusion, allowing herbs and garlic to penetrate the octopus meat completely and enhance its natural taste profile.
- Check octopus doneness by looking for a rich golden-brown exterior with slight charring and ensuring the meat feels firm yet not rubbery when touched.
- Adapt for gluten-free diets by verifying all marinade ingredients are certified gluten-free and using alternative herbs if standard dried oregano contains potential cross-contamination.
- Prep Time: 1 hour (or overnight)
- Cook Time: 30-40 minutes (plus 15-20 minutes per side)
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg