Honey and Sesame-Glazed Octopus with Lemon Potatoes
Tender octopus glazed in a honey-sesame sauce served alongside oven-roasted lemon potatoes infused with garlic and oregano. This greek-inspired seafood ready in about 105 minutes pairs cleaned octopus tentacles, olive oil, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1.5 lbs, cleaned octopus tentacles
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1.5 lbs, halved baby potatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1.5 lbs cleaned octopus tentacles and simmer gently for 45 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain and let cool.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss 1.5 lbs halved baby potatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 40 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Step 3: While potatoes roast, slice the cooled octopus into 1-inch pieces. In a skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tbsp olive oil, then add 2 tbsp honey, 3 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Stir to combine and cook for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Add the octopus pieces to the skillet, tossing to coat in the honey-sesame glaze. Cook for 3-4 minutes until octopus is heated through and caramelized.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds over the glazed octopus. Serve immediately alongside the lemon roasted potatoes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey and Sesame-Glazed Octopus with Lemon Potatoes take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (60 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Honey and Sesame-Glazed Octopus with Lemon Potatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cleaned octopus tentacles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey and Sesame-Glazed Octopus with Lemon Potatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Honey and Sesame-Glazed Octopus with Lemon Potatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Honey and Sesame-Glazed Octopus with Lemon Potatoes?
Greek seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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