Description
Greek-Style Grilled Octopus is a delicious Mediterranean dish where fresh octopus is tenderized, marinated, and grilled to perfection on a barbecue until golden brown on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with flavor, making it a mouthwatering grilled octopus delicacy.
Ingredients
- 1 large octopus (about 2–3 pounds), cleaned and rinsed
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1:
- Whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
Step 2:
- Pat the cleaned octopus dry with paper towels.
- Use a sharp knife, score the octopus gently in a crisscross pattern, being careful not to cut all the way through.
Step 3:
- Place the scored octopus in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
- Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. Once the octopus has marinated, remove it from the dish and discard any excess marinade.
Step 4:
- Move to preheated grill. Grill the octopus over medium-high heat for about 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until it’s tender and charred on the edges.
- Once cooked, remove the octopus from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes.
Step 5:
- Slice the octopus into serving pieces and arrange on a platter.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Equipment
All-Clad Measuring Cup & Spoon Combo Set
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Buy Now →Notes
- Tenderize the octopus using mineral water or water boiled with lemon juice and white vinegar. The tenderizing time depends on the size and toughness of the octopus, usually ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Before grilling the octopus, make sure to pat the surface dry and coat it with olive oil and a mixture of spices to enhance the texture and flavor.
- When grilling the octopus, avoid overcooking to prevent it from becoming dry and tough. It is recommended to continuously flip the octopus during grilling and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to ensure it is cooked through but not overdone.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Mediterranean