Pan-Seared Octopus with Garlic, Olive Oil, and Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Tender octopus tentacles pan-seared with fragrant garlic, smoky paprika, and rich olive oil to capture the essence of Greek seafood flavors. This Greek-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs octopus tentacles, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 lb cleaned octopus tentacles and simmer gently for 45 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Step 2: Heat 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add the octopus tentacles to the skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until edges are lightly crisp and caramelized.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika evenly over the octopus. Drizzle with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and toss gently to coat.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve immediately as a flavorful appetizer or main dish.

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