How to cook octopus

Information for octopus in our free cooking ingredients collection.

Octopus

Although popular in Japan and Mediterranean countries, the octopus in North America is more likely to be a villain of “scary” movies than the star of a seafood meal. But octopus is relatively inexpensive and versatile, and it provides highly flavorful, meaty (albeit sometimes chewy) chunks. Most octopuses weigh only about 3 pounds and reach a size of only 1 to 2 feet before being caught for food.

Fresh octopus already dressed and ready for dishes can be found in many supermarkets and specialty fish markets. Frozen, smoked, and canned octopus is also available. Shop for octopus the same way you shop for fish, using your nose as a guide. Octopus should smell fresh, not fishy, and if it has eyes, they should be bright, not cloudy. As with most aquatic species, octupus that is smaller is younger and more tender. Both the body and all of the tentacles are edible. The ink sac contains an edible black liquid that can be used to color and flavor foods such as pasta, soups, and stews.

How to cook octopus

Always rinse octopus well before cooking. Although many cooks believe that an octopus must be tenderized before cooking (such as by beating it with a mallet or even hurling it against a hard surface), octopus can simply be cooked until it is tender. Cooking time varies by size. Generally, an octopus that weighs more than 4 pounds should simmer for about 45 minutes. This seafood can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, frying, steaming, and poaching.

Serving suggestions

Octopus is an excellent addition to seafood stews and soups, adding an unusual texture to the dish. Its flavor is enhanced by garlic, tomatoes, red wine, and soy sauce.

• Oysters
• Scallops
• Shrimp
• Legumes
• Alfalfa
• Broad beans (fava beans)
• Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
• Common beans
• Black beans
• Cranberry beans
• Kidney beans
• Pinto beans

• Swordfish
• Tuna
• Mackerel
• Salmon
• Smelt
• Trout
• Shellfish
• Abalone
• Clam
• Crab
• Lobster
• Mussels

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