This baby octopus recipe is so delicious and easy to make! Cooked to perfection with just the right amount of seasonings, you'll be amazed at how fast, flavorful, and tender it is.
I love seafood! I think that everything that comes from the sea is so tasty! Or should I say almost everything? I haven't dared to try escargot yet...😬, but maybe one day.
Anyway... My love for seafood gave me the idea to cook this delicious octopus recipe. It can be an exotic appetizer since it's small, easy to eat, and requires little hands-on preparation. It could also be a side dish or even an entrée if you adjust the number of octopi to be cooked. Add some vegetables or green leaves, and serve them as you wish.
If you like seafood too, consider looking at my Brazilian seafood stew, Sushi Bake, and my Panko fish recipe. I think you're going to love them.
Ingredients
- Frozen Octopi (or octopuses): Frozen is easier to find and helps tenderize the meat. You can use never-frozen octopi; add a few extra minutes to the cooking process.
- Olive oil and butter: I like this combination of flavors, but you can substitute one for the other. If you decide to use only butter, be careful with the heat since it burns easily.
- Garlic: A key ingredient for flavor. Don't skip this one.
- Lime juice: It's used to brighten the flavors. You could use balsamic vinegar if preferred.
- Smoked paprika: Gives a nice touch to the dish, but you could use regular paprika or omit it entirely if desired.
- Oregano: It goes well with octopus, but you could substitute it for your favorite herb.
- Salt and pepper: To enhance flavor.
- Grape tomatoes and parsley/cilantro: These are optional, but they complement this dish well.
How to Cook Baby Octopus
I tried to keep things simple for this baby octopus recipe, but you'll need a pressure cooker to tenderize it faster.
The cooking time in the pressure cooker will be just 12 minutes, then you sautée the octopi (or octopuses) for about 5 minutes to add flavor and color, and it's done.
You could use a regular pan for cooking the octopi, but it would take longer than 12 minutes to tenderize them.
Here are some step-by-step photos.
FAQs
No. Baby octopus is just the marketing name for the adult octopus of a few species that don't grow much.
You can eat with or without the head. In my case, I cooked them with their heads, but I removed them when I transferred them to the serving plate because some people don't like to see the head. I just saved them for later.
Yes, octopus is a nutritious, lean source of protein. It's low in calories and fat and high in vitamins B12, B6, selenium, copper, and iron. It naturally contains a high amount of sodium, so be cautious if you're salt-sensitive. Here's a great article about the nutrition facts of octopuses.
You can usually find baby octopus in the frozen seafood section. If your regular grocery store doesn't carry them, try an international or oriental market.
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📖 Recipe / Receita
Baby Octopus Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Pressure Cooker
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
- 24 oz Frozen baby octopus
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper freshly grinded to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- handful parsley or cilantro
- grape tomatoes or vegetables optional
Instructions
- Place the baby octopi in a pressure cooker and add enough water to cover them. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. When time is up, release the pressure manually. Remove octopi from water and dry them as much as possible.
- In a medium skillet, add olive oil and wait for it to get hot. Add octopi and sauté them for about 2 minutes or until they start to char a little bit. Add butter and garlic and sauté until pale gold. Add seasonings (oregano, paprika, pepper, and salt) and sauté a bit longer. Then add lime juice and stir everything to blend all the flavors.
- Transfer octopi to a serving plate and add parsley or cilantro and your favorite vegetables. I used grape tomatoes in these photos.
Notes
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Nutrition Estimate:
Nutritional disclaimer
All nutritional information above is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Nutritional content may vary according to brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, substitutions, optional ingredients, etc. Simple Living Recipes is not responsible for any miscalculation or misinformation in the nutrition label.
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Jennifer says
How long would you cook in the instant pot if I’ve already defrosted them?
Lilian Vallezi says
If your baby octopus is already defrosted, you can keep the cooking time the same. The reason is that a pressure cooker only starts counting the time after it reaches full pressure. When the octopus is frozen, it just takes longer for the pot to heat up and build pressure, but once it does, the actual cooking conditions are the same. So even if you start with defrosted octopus, 12 minutes under pressure will still give you that nice, tender texture instead of chewy. The difference is that your pan will build pressure up faster, since your octopi is already defrosted.
I hope this helps 🙂
Lilian
Katia says
Hi, how long do you need to cook it in a pan instead of a pressure cooker? Thanks
Lilian Vallezi says
Hi!
Probably around 40 minutes, but to be really sure you'd have to try and test along the way until it's tender enough to you.
Lilian
Kelleybee says
Am I correct in assuming the octopus are still frozen when our into the pressure cooker?
Lilian Vallezi says
Yes! You're correct! Octopus are still frozen when added to the pressure cooker.
I hope you like the recipe!
Lilian
Jasmmo says
I failed I didn't sear the octopus by itself 1st. To an almost char. Just made saute then added in octopus. Only made a few so I will get it right next time smh still pretty good. Just the flavor didn't stick the way I wanted it to .
Lilian Vallezi says
Yes, charring is a important step for flavor. Do it next time and you'll see the diference.
Glad you like it anyways.
Lilian
Najoud says
This was delicious and perfectly tender, just had it for lunch. Thank you so much!
Lilian Vallezi says
I'm so glad you liked it!!
Thanks for your feedback!
Lilian