Tentacle Recipe – Authentic Grilled Octopus Recipe

Do you love eating grilled octopus but always worried about how to cook octopus properly? Well…it’s actually easier than you might think and by following this easy tentacle recipe you’ll become an expert in no time!

Octopus is a healthy and delicious food which is loved by every seafood lover. Packed with full nutrients and protein, this tentacle recipe becomes a star of your recipe book because of its soft, delicate meat and ability to absorb flavor like a culinary chameleon.

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Why Octopus?

Octopus brings a unique blend of elegance and flavor to the table. Its soft tentacles are like little flavored sponges, soaking up whatever deliciousness you throw at them.

The good thing about octopus is its ability to mix and match flavors. It’s like a blank canvas waiting for a burst of smoke and a splash of delicious goodness. When it hits the grill, those tentacles turn into flavor sponges, soaking up all the deliciousness that comes our way.

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Why you’ll love the Tentacle Recipe??

Although the tentacle has a sophisticated look and taste, it is surprisingly easy to make without any fuss.

Enjoy the goodness of the ocean with an extremely simple and delicious tentacle dish.

From cleaning to grilling, it’s quick and easy, giving you delicious food in no time.

Ideal for grill lovers, the tentacles cook fast and soak up the flavors like a sponge.

Be a kitchen hero with a dish that’s not only delicious but also a fun theme on the table.

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How to Clean the Tentacles of Octopus?

Cleaning tentacles of octopus can be a crucial step to ensure your dish not only delicious but also safe to eat. The same cleaning process you can follow for squid too.

So be sure to handle raw seafood carefully, maintaining the cleanliness throughout the process, and dispose of any waste appropriately.

Equipment Needed

For this, you need the following equipment:

• Fresh squid or octopus tentacles
• Running cold water
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Paper towels

Cleaning Steps

Follow some easy and simple steps to clean octopus tentacles easily at home:

• Begin by rinsing the tentacles with cool running water to remove any loose pieces, sand, or residue.
• If you’re dealing with squid, look for the hard beak in the center where the tentacles meet. Use your fingers or a knife to take it out. Also, look for the eyes and simply cut them out.
• In the case of octopus, you may want to peel off the outer skin for a more tender result. Make a small incision near the base of the tentacle and use your fingers to peel off the skin. Check the tentacles to make sure any insides or debris have been removed.
• Check the tentacles to make sure any insides or debris have been removed. Sometimes, the cleaning process in the market is not done completely.
• If there are any hard bits or beak residue left on the sucker, gently scrape them off with the back of a knife.
• Once cleaned, pat the tentacles dry with a paper towel. Dried tentacles will stick to the grill better and absorb flavor more effectively.
• Your tentacles are now ready for the marinade of your choice, which will transform them into delicious pieces for the grill.

You can watch video to learn more about cleaning octopus tentacles

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Ingredients for Grilled Octopus Tentacle Recipe

Octopus – 1.5 kg

Bay leaves – 2

Few springs of thyme of marjoram

Extra virgin Olive Oil – for frying

Potatoes for side dish

Lemon – half

Paprika – to your likings

Salt to taste

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How to Make Grilled Octopus Tentacle Recipe?

So once you’ve cleaned your octopus completely, its time to make some grill of seafood with spicy potatoes. One more thing, if you don’t want to clean the octopus from scratch, be sure to buy pre-cleaned tentacles. Don’t forget to rinse and pat dry the tentacles even then.

Step 1

Take a deep pot and heat some olive oil with bay leaves, and thyme springs. Once heated, put in cleaned octopus cover the pan and let it cook on medium to low flame for 40 to 45 minutes.

In this step, you don’t need to add additional water, as octopus is full of water, so let it cook until tender in its own water.

Step 2

On the other side, let’s boil some potatoes to enjoy as a delicious side with tentacles. Don’t forget to wash the potatoes before boiling. Then take a deep pan and add water to dip the potatoes, and boil until they become soft. Then take them out from the water, and let them cool completely.

Step 3

Meanwhile, check the octopus and turn its side to ensure the even cooking from both sides. Sprinkle some salt and cover it again. It will take approximately 45 minutes to done, however you can check its tenderness with a fork or knife.

Step 4

Now peel the boiled potatoes, and cut them into thick round slices. Take a cost iron skillet, heat some olive oil with paprika and place the slices of potatoes one by one on the pan. Cook until they become golden brown on both sides. Then sprinkle some salt and more paprika if you like a spicy touch and remove the slices from pan.

Step 5

Octopus has been cooked and tendered. Take the octopus out from the pan and place it on a cutting board. Now separate the tentacles carefully.

Step 6

Heat your griller or grill pan, rub a lemon piece to add a tangy flavor to the tentacles. Now place the octopus tentacles side by side for grilling, and let them grill on all sides.

Step 7

Remove the tentacles from grill and serve with spicy boiled potatoes. If you love more spice, you can sprinkle some paprika over potatoes and tentacles. Enjoy!!

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Tentacle Recipe Nutrition Facts

As you know, the recipe goes for 4 to 6 servings. It can vary according to portion size. So here are estimated nutrition values for the recipe, which can vary according to recipe ingredients and brands you’re using.

Servings: 6

• Calories: 435kcal
• Protein: Approximately 32.7g
• Fat: Approximately 16.6g
• Carbohydrates: Approximately 39.2g
• Fiber: Approximately 4.6g

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Pro Tips

Select the freshest tentacle available. Look for a vibrant color and a clean, slightly sweet ocean smell.

Make sure your grill is thoroughly preheated before placing the tentacles.

If working with larger tentacles, consider parboiling or slow-cooking before grilling to achieve the right balance of tenderness without sacrificing eye appeal.

Play with additional seasonings to customize the flavor profile. A pinch of chili flakes, a dash of cumin, or a sprinkling of fresh herbs can add an extra layer of complexity.

Squeeze a lemon generously over the grilled tentacles just before serving, which will add acidity that will enhance the overall flavor.

After grilling, let the tentacles rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and delicious flavor.

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Recipe Swaps

Although the recipe is using simple and easy to get ingredients for grilled tentacles recipe. However, you can add or omit your ingredients to make it your own signature dish.

Octopus Tentacles: Octopus tentacles is the main ingredient of the recipe. But you can easily swap squid tentacles with octopus.

Parboiling: If you’re handling large tentacles, parboiling will help you get a soft and tendered tentacle ready for grill. You can skip if have small tentacles.

Serving options: Instead of boiled spicy potatoes, you can serve these delicious grilled tentacles with tangy lime rice, corn on the cob or with roasted vegetables.

Lemon: Skip if you don’t like zesty and tangy flavor. You can grease the grill with olive oil instead of lemon.

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Delicious Tentacle Recipe Variations

Grilled octopus tentacle is a super easy and quick recipe you can make with easy to avail ingredients. But these tentacles are much more than you think. Octopus tentacles have great versatility, and you can make a lot of flavors with this delicious seafood.

Some of easy recipes are explained below:

Sautéed Tentacles: A great way to cook your tentacles is to sauté them. For this, heat some olive oil in a pan over medium to high heat, add the cleaned tentacles and sauté for a few minutes, until all sides get a golden brown color. For some extra spicy flavor, you can add some sliced garlic and red pepper flakes.

calamari fritti: calamari fritti or fried squid is a traditional recipe made with tentacles and calamari tubes. To make calamari fritti, make a coating mixture with flour, egg and breadcrumbs, coat the tentacles and deep fry until they turn golden brown. For extra flavor, serve it with a side of aioli or marinara sauce.

Ceviche Dish: If you’re a fan of Latin cuisine, you must try the ceviche recipe with tentacles. Classic ceviche used to be made with shrimps, but you make it with octopus tentacles. For this, you just need raw seafood, a marinade of lime juice, chili peppers, and other seasonings. Marinate tentacles and let it rest for a few minutes. The acidity of lime juice will help cook the tentacles more juicy, tender and flavorful.

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What to Serve With Octopus Tentacles??

Grilled octopus tentacle is a great dish served as lunch or dinner with a side of corn on the cob. It also pairs well with lime rice, mango salsa or roasted vegetables, and also can be served alongside delicious sauces like Chimichurri or Tzatziki sauce.

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How to Store the Leftovers?

If you’ve leftover grilled octopus tentacles, follow some simple steps to store the leftovers to enjoy later:

Allow the grilled octopus tentacles to cool to room temperature before storing. This will help to prevent tentacles from getting soggy.

If you served the grilled octopus with any sides like potatoes, or veggies. Be sure to separate them before storing.

Be sure to place the grilled octopus in an air-tight container, this will help prevent it from picking up odors from the refrigerator.

Drizzle a little olive oil on the grilled tentacles to add an extra layer of protection. This will keep it from drying out and help retain its moisture.

Store the leftover container in the refrigerator. It can store in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days easily.

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Can you freeze the Leftovers grilled tentacles for longer Time period??

While you can technically freeze grilled octopus, but it may alter the texture, making it rubbery upon thawing. So its best to enjoy it fresh or refrigerate for shorter time period.

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How to Reheat the Refrigerated Grilled Tentacles?

When ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat the octopus gently. Overheating can lead to toughness. If you’re using oven, be sure to warm it in a covered dish in the oven at a low temperature or on stovetop.

Serve with Fresh Flavors: To enhance the flavors of leftover grilled tentacles, serve them with fresh flavors like a squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of herbs, or a drizzle of olive oil.

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How to Check the freshness of leftovers?

It is recommended to store the leftover tentacles for 2 to 3 days in refrigerator. Still before using leftovers, check for any signs of spoilage, such as a bad odor or changes in color and texture.

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Your Queries Got Answer!!

Where can I buy fresh octopus or squid tentacles for this recipe?

Fresh octopus or squid tentacles can be found at well-stocked seafood markets, fishmongers, or the seafood section of your local grocery store. Make sure they are high quality and fresh for best results.

How do I clean octopus or squid tentacles before grilling?

Rinse the tentacles with cold water to remove any impurities. For the squid, remove the beak and eyes. Consider peeling off the outer skin of the octopus for a more tender result.

Can I use frozen tentacles for this recipe?

While fresh tentacles are ideal, you can use frozen tentacles. Thaw them thoroughly in the refrigerator before proceeding with the recipe. Note that frozen tentacles may release more moisture during cooking.

What is the ideal marinating time for tentacles?

Aim to marinate for at least 30 minutes to maximize flavor. For a more intense flavor, you can marinate them for an hour.

Can I use different herbs in the marinade?

Absolutely! Don’t hesitate to experiment with herbs like rosemary, parsley, or cilantro to customize the flavor profile to your liking.

How long should I grill tentacles?

Grill the tentacles for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are charred and thoroughly cooked. Adjust the time depending on the size of the tentacles.

Can I prepare tentacles in advance for a meeting?

Yes, you can marinate the tentacles beforehand. Keep the marinated tentacles refrigerated until you’re ready to grill. Make sure they come to room temperature before grilling for even cooking.

What sides pair well with gilled tentacles?

Popular sides include cilantro-lime rice, mango salsa, corn on the cob, grilled vegetables, or a simple mixed greens salad. These complement the flavor of the tentacles and enhance the overall meal.

How do I keep the tentacles from sticking to the grill?

Use a well preheated and oiled grill grate. Skewing the tentacles or using a grill basket can also prevent sticking and make them easier to fold.

Can I reheat leftover grilled tentacles?

Yes, you can gently reheat leftover tentacles in the oven or on the stovetop. Be careful not to overheat, as this may affect the texture. Drizzle with olive oil for extra moisture.

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To Sum Up!!

Octopus is a delicious seafood you can enjoy in many flavors like sautéed, grilled, in salads, pastas or in wraps. Its delicious tentacles are jus like blank sponges, which can absorb any flavor or marinade of your choice.

The recipe is easy to make and you can enjoy it at home with all the flavors of Seafood. You can enjoy it as a classy lunch or dinner with in your family gatherings or serve it as a delicious snack.

Foodie Note: If you like this quick and easy grilled octopus tentacle recipe, or foodie like me, don’t forget to make and share this delicious Tentacle recipe, also share it with your friends or those, who’re looking for something classic and traditional to make in these holidays.

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