Charred Octopus with Lemon and Thyme

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-24 · Updated 2026-04-24

Tender octopus grilled with aromatic herbs and a bright lemon finish. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs octopus tentacles, extra virgin olive oil, fresh thyme leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb, cleaned and cut into 1-inch pieces octopus tentacles
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1, thinly sliced lemon
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Toss octopus pieces with olive oil, thyme, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high (375°F). Thread octopus onto skewers, leaving space between pieces.
3. Step 3: Grill for 8-10 minutes total, turning once, until charred on the edges and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Transfer to a plate and arrange lemon slices around the octopus; serve immediately.