Htapodi sti Schara (Greek Grilled Octopus)
Local name: Χταπόδι στη σχάρα
In short: Octopus simmered until tender, then charred on the grill and dressed with olive oil, lemon and oregano, a classic island meze. It takes about 1 h 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 15 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 1 h 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 420 kcal
Grilled octopus is the signature meze of Greek island tavernas, often eaten by the water with a glass of ouzo. The octopus is first cooked slowly in its own juices until tender, then charred quickly over high heat and dressed with olive oil, lemon and oregano. Good octopus is tender inside with crisp, smoky edges. The long cooking is mostly hands-off.
Instructions
- Rinse the octopus well. Put it in a large heavy pot with the bay leaves and vinegar. Do not add water, since the octopus releases plenty of liquid.
- Cover tightly and cook over low heat for 45 to 60 minutes, turning once, until a knife slides easily into the thickest part of a tentacle.
- Turn off the heat and let the octopus cool in its liquid for 15 minutes to keep it juicy. Drain, cut the tentacles apart and slice the head into pieces. Pat dry.
- Heat a grill or grill pan until very hot. Brush the octopus with the tablespoon of oil and grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until charred in spots.
- Whisk the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss the hot octopus in the dressing and serve with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Octopus that has been frozen and thawed is often more tender than fresh, because freezing breaks down the fibers. If yours is fresh, freeze it overnight first.
- No grill? Sear the pieces in a very hot cast-iron pan for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Cooking time varies with size, so test for tenderness with a knife.
Questions and answers
How do I keep octopus from turning rubbery?
Cook it low and slow until a knife slides in easily, then sear it briefly. Long grilling after boiling makes it tough, so grill for only a few minutes.
Can I use frozen octopus?
Yes. Frozen octopus is often more tender than fresh. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before cooking.
How long does cooked octopus keep?
Boiled octopus keeps 3 days in the fridge in its cooking juices. Grill it just before serving.
How long does it take to make Htapodi sti Schara (Greek Grilled Octopus)?
About 1 h 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Htapodi sti Schara (Greek Grilled Octopus)?
About 420 kcal per serving, with 50 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 420 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 50 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
