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grilled octopus on a bed of greens.
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4.65 from 31 votes

Grilled Octopus Salad

This step-by-step recipe will show you how to make grilled octopus at home. Plus, it includes a fresh salad with citrus vinaigrette.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time2 hours 45 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Christie Vanover

Ingredients

Grilled Octopus

  • 1 fresh octopus
  • 1 large pot of water
  • 1 orange juiced
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp whole peppercorns
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 wine cork

Citrus Vinaigrette

  • 1 orange juiced and zested
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • pinch red pepper flakes

Fennel Salad

  • 1 fennel bulb
  • 2 tbsp fennel fronds

Instructions

  • Steam: Heat a pot of water on a stove over medium-high heat. Holding the head of the octopus, dip the tentacles in the water for 10 seconds. Lift it back out. Repeat three times. This will cause the tentacles to curl. Drop the entire octopus in the water.
  • Flavor Broth: Add the citrus juices, salt, pepper, wine and wine cork. Cover and simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. The tentacles should be tender when pierced with a knife.
  • Prep Salad: While the octopus is cooking, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients in a large bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons for later. Slice the fennel into thin strips. Refrigerate until assembly.
  • Marinate: When the octopus is tender, remove it to a cutting board. Cut off the tentacles and discard the head. Pat the tentacles dry with a paper towel and place in the vinaigrette. Soak for 30 minutes to overnight.
  • Grill: Heat the grill to high. Place the tentacles on the grill and cook, until charred on all sides.
  • Assemble: Toss fennel strips in vinaigrette and add a mound to a plate. Top with 2-3 pieces of grilled octopus. Drizzle with remaining vinaigrette. Sprinkle with fennel fronds for garnish.

Notes

As an alternative to boiling a whole octopus yourself, you can purchase octopus tentacles that have already been cooked. If you do this, jump to the marinating step. 
If you're not a fan of fennel, use arugula, spinach or frisée salad greens. 

Nutrition

Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1198mg | Potassium: 523mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Vitamin C: 80.4mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 1.4mg