🐙 Charred Octopus with Smoky Paprika Potatoes & Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

Perfectly tender octopus, grilled or pan-seared to achieve a smoky char, served with paprika-roasted potatoes and a vibrant lemon-herb vinaigrette. A dish with flair, depth, and Mediterranean soul.

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🧑‍🍳 Overview

• Difficulty: Medium
• Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus simmering time)
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes boiling and roasting)
• Total Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes
• Servings: 2
• Cuisine: Spanish / Mediterranean

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📝 Ingredients

For the Octopus:

• 1 medium octopus (about 500–700g, cleaned)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tsp vinegar
• Salt

For the Potatoes:

• 2–3 medium waxy potatoes (e.g., Yukon Gold), diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper

For the Lemon Herb Vinaigrette:

• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
• Salt and black pepper

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🧑‍🍳 Instructions

1. Tenderize the Octopus

• Place octopus in a pot with bay leaf, onion, garlic, a splash of vinegar, and enough water to cover.
• Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 45–60 minutes, until fork-tender.
• Let cool slightly in the cooking water.

2. Roast the Potatoes

• Preheat oven to 220°C / 430°F.
• Toss diced potatoes with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Roast for 25–30 minutes until crispy and golden, flipping halfway through.

3. Sear or Grill the Octopus

• Pat the octopus dry and slice tentacles.
• Sear in a hot grill pan or cast-iron skillet with a drizzle of olive oil until lightly charred, 1–2 minutes per side.

4. Make the Vinaigrette

• Whisk together lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, parsley, salt, and pepper.

5. Assemble the Plate

• Spread roasted potatoes onto plates, top with charred octopus.
• Drizzle vinaigrette over everything and garnish with extra herbs or lemon zest if desired.

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🍽️ Nutritional Highlights (per serving, approx.)

• Calories: ~480
• Protein: 35g
• Carbs: 28g
• Fat: 26g
• Vibes: Coastal bistro 🇪🇸✨

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🛠️ Featured Tool

🔥 Cast-Iron Grill Pan for Searing Octopus

👉 Check it out on Amazon

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⚠️ Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

AI CULINARY ARTS is reader-supported. Some links in this post are Amazon affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.

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📂 Categories

• Main Categories: Seafood, Dinner
• Additional Tags:
  • Mediterranean Cuisine
  • Grilled Octopus
  • Spanish-Inspired
  • High-Protein
  • Coastal Cooking
  • Medium Difficulty