Main Course · Appetizer · Lunch · Dinner · Mediterranean ·

Galician Octopus Recipe with Smoked Paprika and Olive Oil

Name: Galician Octopus Recipe with Smoked Paprika and Olive Oil
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 240 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: medium octopus (about 2-3 pounds), cleaned; bay leaves, 2; sea salt, 1 tablespoon; water, 6 cups; extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons; smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons; sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon; salt, to taste; medium potatoes, 4, peeled and thickly sliced; salt, to taste; olive oil, 1 teaspoon (for drizzling); chopped fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons

Enjoy tender octopus paired with the bold flavors of smoked paprika in this classic Galician dish.

4.7(365 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·June 22, 2025

Galician Octopus Recipe with Smoked Paprika and Olive Oil — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h

Cook

3 h

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Octopus

For the Paprika Dressing

For the Potatoes

For the Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 356 kcal
Protein: 32.3 g
Carbs: 24 g
Fat: 13.3 g
Fiber: 4 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1422 kcal
Protein: 129.2 g
Carbs: 96.2 g
Fat: 53 g
Fiber: 15.8 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
medium octopus (about 2-3 pounds) cleaned	600	120	0	5	0
bay leaves 2	0	0	0	0	0
sea salt 1 tablespoon	0	0	0	0	0
water 6 cups	0	0	0	0	0
extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons	360	0	0	42	0
smoked paprika 2 teaspoons	12	0.6	2.4	0.6	1.8
sweet paprika 1 teaspoon	6	0.3	1.2	0.3	0.6
salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
medium potatoes 4, peeled and thickly sliced	400	8	92	0.5	13
salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
olive oil 1 teaspoon (for drizzling)	40	0	0	4.5	0
chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons	4	0.3	0.6	0.1	0.4

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Octopus

1
Clean Octopus
Clean octopus thoroughly under cold running water.
2
Dry Octopus
Gently pat dry with a paper towel.
3
Combine Ingredients
Place in a large pot with water, bay leaves, and salt.
Tip: Do not overcook octopus—it will turn rubbery. Pro Tip: Submerge octopus thrice in boiling water before cooking to tenderize it.

Preparing the Potatoes

1
Slice Potatoes
Peel and thickly slice the potatoes.
2
Boil Potatoes
In a separate pot, boil potatoes in salted water until tender.
Tip: Potato Boiling: 15–20 minutes at medium-high heat.
3
Drain & Keep Warm
Drain and set aside, keeping them warm.

How to Make Galician Octopus Recipe with Smoked Paprika and Olive Oil

Total time: 4 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Cooking the Octopus
Bring the pot of octopus to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 50–60 minutes, until tender.
2
Mixing the Dressing
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, smoked paprika, and sweet paprika; mix well.
3
Serving Assembly
Lay potato slices on a platter, arrange octopus on top, and drizzle with paprika dressing and olive oil.