Pan-Seared Octopus with Garlic and Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Succulent octopus tentacles simmered and then pan-seared with garlic and smoked paprika for a smoky, tender seafood delight. This Greek-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs fresh octopus tentacles, water, bay leaf for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Greek cuisine 210 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

2 lbs fresh octopus tentacles
6 cups water
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp salt
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4, thinly sliced garlic cloves
1 tsp sweet smoked paprika
for serving fresh lemon wedges

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil with 1 tbsp salt and 1 bay leaf. Add 2 lbs fresh octopus tentacles, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook gently for 45 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork.
Step 2: Drain the octopus and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into 2-inch pieces.
Step 3: Heat 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Step 4: Add the octopus pieces and 1 tsp sweet smoked paprika to the skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until the edges are slightly crispy and the paprika releases its smoky aroma.
Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.