BBQ Octopus
Grilled octopus is a popular Mediterranean dish enjoyed in many cuisines around the world. Properly pre-cooking the octopus ensures that the meat is tender and succulent, not chewy. The slightly sweet and smoky flavor of the BBQ sauce perfectly complements the natural aromas of the octopus. This dish is an ideal choice for barbecues, family dinners, or a quick but special meal. The right cooking technique ensures that the octopus is slightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Ingredients for this recipe
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Preparation Steps
1
Thoroughly rinse the octopus in cold water, then pat it dry with paper towels. If necessary, remove any internal parts and separate the tentacles.
2
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the octopus and cook for 45-60 minutes, or until tender. This ensures it won't be chewy when grilled.
3
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4
Remove the cooked octopus from the water and let it cool slightly. Generously coat it with the BBQ marinade, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
5
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the marinated octopus tentacles directly onto the grill grates.
6
Grill the octopus for 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and grill for another 2-3 minutes, or until lightly caramelized and slightly crisp.
7
During the last minute, brush lightly with extra BBQ sauce, then grill for another 30 seconds to allow the glaze to caramelize slightly.
8
Remove the finished octopus from the grill and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.
9
Serve warm with lemon wedges, a fresh salad, or grilled vegetables. It's also excellent with toasted bread or garlic butter.
