Give it up, my sweet friend! You cannot resist the siren call of this Grilled Octopus Mediterranean Seafood. I am telling you, this is not just a recipe. It’s a vacation on a plate. If you love bold Mediterranean flavors, you should definitely try my hearty Mediterranean Olive Beef Stew next.
Close your eyes. Imagine the smoky char from the grill. Now picture the bright zing of lemon and the rich, fruity hug of olive oil. Are you there yet? This dish is pure, unadulterated coastal magic. It’s the star of every Greek taverna for a reason.
And guess what? You can absolutely make this restaurant-worthy wonder at home. I’m going to walk you through every single, glorious step. Get ready to fall in love.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: Mediterranean / Greek
- Category: Appetizer or Main Course
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus optional tenderizing time)
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes (mostly hands-off!)
- Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 4 as an appetizer, 2 as a main
Do You Love This Recipe Too?
My obsession started on a tiny island in Greece. I ordered the grilled octopus on a whim. One bite and my entire world shifted. The texture was perfect—tender, not chewy. The flavor was insane.
I came home on a mission. I tried every method. I had a few chewy disasters, I won’t lie. But then I cracked the code. This recipe is my love letter to that first, perfect bite. It never lets me down.
Now, it’s my go-to showstopper for summer parties. Watching my friends’ eyes light up? That’s the real magic. It’s a flavor memory we all share now.
My Shopping List for This Recipe
This dish is all about simple, powerful ingredients. Quality is key here, especially for a few stars of the show. Let’s talk about what you need to grab.
Fresh octopus can be found at good fish markets. But frozen is a fantastic and often more tender option! Don’t stress. The other items are pantry staples you probably already have.
Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready
Okay, let’s lay everything out. This is my favorite part—seeing all that potential on the counter. Here’s your full list:
Grilled Octopus Mediterranean Seafood Recipe
Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready
Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Grilled Octopus Mediterranean Seafood Recipe!
Nutrition Information
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds octopus, cleaned (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lemons (1 for juice, 1 for serving)
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano (Greek if you can find it!)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Kosher salt
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Crumbled feta cheese, for serving (optional, but amazing)
Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)
Here we go! The fun part. I promise, it’s easier than you think. The main goal is tender, smoky, flavorful tentacles. Follow these steps and you’ll be a pro. For another fantastic, hands-off meal, my Crack Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are always a crowd-pleaser.
- Prep the Octopus: Rinse your octopus well under cold water. If it’s very large, you can cut the tentacles from the head. Pat it completely dry with paper towels. This is crucial for a good sear later.
- The Flavor Bath: In a large bowl, whisk together the 1/3 cup olive oil, juice of one lemon, minced garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, and black pepper. This marinade is everything. Add the octopus and toss to coat it really well. Let it sit for 30 minutes at room temp.
- Cook for Tenderness: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the marinated octopus in a baking dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake for 45-60 minutes. It’s ready when a fork pierces the thickest part easily. This slow cook is the tenderizing secret.
- Get Your Grill Hot: While the octopus bakes, heat your grill or a grill pan to high heat. You want those grates screaming hot. Brush them with a little oil so nothing sticks.
- The Grand Finale – Grill! Take the octopus from the oven. Grill it for just 2-3 minutes per side, until you get those beautiful, crispy, charred marks. Don’t walk away! This happens fast.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer your masterpiece to a platter. Drizzle generously with more extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, big flakes of sea salt, and crumbled feta. Serve with the remaining lemon cut into wedges. Come to Mama!
Fun Variations to Try Next Time
Once you master the basic recipe, play around! It’s so versatile. Here are a few of my favorite twists.
Add a spicy kick with a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade. You can also toss some sliced red onion and cherry tomatoes on the grill for a quick side salad.
For a different herb profile, try fresh chopped dill or mint instead of parsley at the end. It brightens the whole dish in a new way.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store cooled octopus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
To reheat, I highly recommend a quick flash in a hot pan or back on the grill. The microwave will make it rubbery. We don’t want that after all our hard work!
You can freeze the cooked (but not grilled) octopus for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then give it a quick grill to re-crisp.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- Calories: ~280
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 18g (mostly healthy monounsaturated)
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
(Note: This is an estimate per appetizer serving. Values can vary based on ingredient sizes and brands.)
A Quick Q&A on This Recipe
Do I have to boil the octopus first?
Nope! Not with my method. The slow, covered bake in the oven tenderizes it perfectly. It’s less messy and I find it gives us more control. Trust the process!
My octopus is frozen. What do I do?
Perfect! Thaw it slowly in your fridge overnight. Some say frozen octopus is actually more tender because the ice crystals break down the fibers. It’s a win!
Can I make this without a grill?
Absolutely. A screaming hot cast-iron skillet or grill pan works wonders. Just get it super hot, add a tiny bit of oil, and press down to get that beautiful char. It will still be incredible.
And there you have it! My absolute pride and joy. This recipe is my party trick, my comfort food, my taste of sunshine. If you’re craving more seafood with a Mediterranean flair, my Shrimp Scampi with Capers & Tomatoes is another must-try.
It looks fancy but it’s totally approachable. I want you to feel like a rockstar in your own kitchen. The combination of smoky, lemony, herby flavors is just unbeatable.
I am dying to see your creations! Did you get those perfect grill marks? Did your family go crazy for it? I can’t wait to hear how yours turns out! Please leave a comment and a rating below to let me know what you think!
