If you happen to love Mediterranean flavors and seafood, this scrumptious Mediterranean Octopus Salad made with tender octopus, creamy potatoes, and olives is a must- strive.
Mediterranean Octopus Salad
This Mediterranean Octopus Salad is impressed by the coastal areas of Greece, Italy, and Spain, and it may be served as a light-weight meal or appetizer alongside a crisp glass of white wine. Including potatoes makes the salad much more filling whereas complementing the octopus. The potatoes take in all of the olive oil and vinegar goodness, making this dish much more scrumptious. For comfort, I’m utilizing pre-cooked octopus, however I additionally included directions if you wish to prepare dinner it from scratch. For different seafood salads, strive my Zesty Shrimp and Avocado Salad, Chilled Calamari Salad and this scrumptious Italian Shrimp Salad.
Why You’ll Love This Octopus Salad
I like octopus and all the time order it after I’m out. Nonetheless, I used to be all the time intimidated by the concept of constructing it at residence till I took a cooking class and realized how straightforward it’s. However figuring out you may discover it troublesome, I used pre-
cooked octopus from FreshDirect, however you too can discover it at Costco or on-line. If you wish to prepare dinner it your self, see the instructions under.
If you happen to make this octopus salad recipe, I might like to see it. Tag me in your photographs or movies on Instagram, TikTok, or Fb. And be sure you be a part of the Skinnytaste Group to see what everybody’s cooking!
What You’ll Want
Right here’s the whole lot you’ll want to make this straightforward Mediterranean octopus salad. See the recipe card under for the precise measurements.
- Peewee Potatoes are tiny child potatoes. You should use all one coloration or a mixture of white and purple.
- Octopus: El Rey del Pulpo (translated to “The king of octopus”) is a well-liked model offered at Costco. I additionally purchase frozen and cooked from Contemporary Direct or Complete Meals. Chop it into small items.
- Olives: I like kalamata or Gaeta olives, that are much like kalamata, on this salad.
- Aromatics: Minced or grated garlic and thinly sliced shallots
- Parsley for coloration and freshness
- Octopus Salad Dressing: Lemon juice and zest, purple wine vinegar, additional virgin olive oil, coarse salt, and black pepper
The best way to Make Octopus Salad
If you happen to begin with cooked octopus, the one cooking you’ll do is boil potatoes. Every little thing else is simply chopping and tossing. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.
- Boil the Potatoes: Add potatoes to a pot of salted water–make sure that it’s additional salty because the potatoes take in the flavour. Deliver it to a boil, simmer till the potatoes are tender, and drain. As soon as cool, slice them in half or quarters, relying on their dimension.
- Mix Every little thing: Whereas the potatoes prepare dinner, put all of the substances in a bowl. As soon as the potatoes are prepared, add them.
- Marinate the Octopus Salad for at the least quarter-hour or in a single day within the fridge.
The best way to Cook dinner Octopus (With out Worry!)
If you happen to can’t discover cooked octopus, you possibly can prepare dinner it your self. Though it may appear intimidating, it’s simpler than you suppose. The important thing to cooking octopus so it’s not rubbery is to simmer it gently till tender earlier than chilling and slicing it for the salad. If you happen to begin with cleaned octopus (really helpful), the course of is even less complicated! Ask your fishmonger to wash it for you.
- Begin with Cleaned Octopus: In case your octopus has already been cleaned (beak, eyes, and inside organs eliminated), rinse it beneath chilly water earlier than cooking.
- Put together Your Pot: Deliver a big pot of water to a boil. Add a bay leaf, black peppercorns, a splash of vinegar (or white wine), and a garlic clove or a wedge of onion (non-compulsory) for additional taste.
- The Curling Trick (Elective): To get properly curled tentacles, dip the octopus into the boiling water 3 times, holding it by the top earlier than absolutely submerging it. This helps set the form.
- Simmer in accordance with Weight: The cooking instances are under. It’s completed when you possibly can simply pierce it with a fork.
–Common (Non-Tenderized) Octopus: Simmer 12 minutes per pound over low warmth.
–Pre-Tenderized Octopus: Simmer 6 minutes per pound over low warmth. - Cool within the Cooking Liquid: Flip off the warmth and let the octopus cool within the liquid for about 20 minutes. This helps retain moisture and tenderness.
- Take away the Pores and skin (Elective): As soon as cooled, gently rub off the outer pores and skin together with your arms or a paper towel. Some folks love the added texture, so this step is as much as you!
- Slice and Use: Reduce the octopus into bite-sized items and toss it into your Mediterranean Octopus and Potato Salad or every other dish.
Variations
- Seafood: Swap octopus with cooked shrimp, squid or lobster.
- Olives: Substitute Castelvetrano.
- Shallot: Change the shallot with a purple onion.
Pairing Recommendations
This salad pairs fantastically with grilled greens like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers.
If serving it as a part of a Mediterranean unfold, take into account including hummus and pita, grilled halloumi, or a tomato and feta salad.
Storage
Refrigerate octopus salad for as much as 3 days and eat the leftovers chilly for a fast lunch.
Extra Mediterranean Recipes You’ll Love
For extra dinner concepts, try my Seafood Recipes assortment, plus these 5 scrumptious Mediterranean recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Measurement: 1 beneficiant cup
Add entire potatoes to a pot of salted water* & deliver to a boil. Simmer till the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain from the water & cool. As soon as cool, slice in half or in quarters relying on the scale (they need to be the fitting dimension for a forkful!)
Whereas potatoes prepare dinner, get the remaining substances marinating: In a big bowl mix octopus, olives, shallot, parsley, lemon, purple wine vinegar, olive oil, salt & pepper. As soon as the potatoes are cool, add to the bowl.
Let octopus salad marinade for no less than quarter-hour however as much as over night time!
Final Step:
Please depart a score and remark letting us understand how you favored this recipe! This helps our enterprise to thrive and proceed offering free, high-quality recipes for you.Serving: 1 beneficiant cup, Energy: 366.5 kcal, Carbohydrates: 14.5 g, Protein: 47.5 g, Fats: 12.5 g, Saturated Fats: 1 g, Ldl cholesterol: 290 mg, Sodium: 1176 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 2.5 g
