Pan-Seared Octopus with Lemon and Smoked Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

Tender octopus tentacles seared to crispness with smoky paprika and brightened with fresh lemon for a classic Greek seafood appetizer. This Greek-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs octopus tentacles, olive oil, smoked paprika 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs, cleaned octopus tentacles
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1.5 lbs cleaned octopus tentacles and simmer gently for 45 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Remove and let cool slightly.
2. Step 2: Slice the octopus into 1-inch pieces. In a large skillet, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add the octopus pieces to the skillet along with 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until edges develop a light crispness.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and drizzle with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Toss with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.