Pan-Seared Octopus with Lemon Pepper Seasoning

This pan-seared octopus with lemon pepper seasoning braised until tender, then seared. It's perfect for your next food adventure!

Are you feeling adventurous?  Let's talk octopus. 

That's right, those eight-legged sea monsters that spend their days looking like they've escaped from a Jules Verne novel.  The spineless, fascinating creatures that can fit through any space they can squeeze their jaw bones through.

Well, my friends, those leggy beasts are also completely and utterly delicious.

The husband talked me into buying one on a Jungle Jim's trip, and that's how our invertebrate obsession began.  This recipe for pan-seared octopus with lemon pepper seasoning is easy, and sure to leave you with a tender and flavor-packed meal.

Here's the thing about octopus-- it can either melt in your mouth, or taste like little bits of rubber if overcooked.

If you've ever had calamari, you've already eaten squid.  Octopus has a similar texture.  As with calamari, if your octopus is chewy, it's probably been overcooked.  It should fall apart in your mouth.

How to Cook Octopus

Octopus should be cooked low and slow or hot and fast.  For this recipe, we're doing a combination of both techniques.

This grilled octopus is actually cooked twice: once braised on the stove top over low heat to tenderize it, and then cooked very quickly at high heat in a hot pan.

It will take around an hour to prepare start to finish, but most of that is very hands-off.

I find it's easier (if I've planned ahead), to braise it the day before, and then just grill or pan sear it quickly before dinner the next day.

How Much Octopus Should I Buy?

You can serve one smaller, whole octopus per person, or cut a larger one into pieces and divide it up between plates.

Will Adding a Wine Cork to the Braising Liquid Keep The Octopus Tender?

Maybe?  It's an old wives' tale, and I've never done it.  That said, it won't hurt a thing, so if you want to-- go right ahead.

Just make sure you're using a CORK wine cork, and not a plastic one.

Does Dipping the Octopus Tentacles in Hot Water Really Make them Curl?

Yes!  Yes it does.

If you want to take this extra step, dip the tentacles quickly in and out of a pot of very hot water before grilling or searing.

How Pan-Sear Octopus

First, braise the octopus.  Then, you'll want to cook it quickly over very high heat.  You can add it to a pre-heated, extra hot grill, or to a piping hot pan.

Serve the octopus right away, and enjoy this fabulously freaky seafood!