Main Course · Appetizer · Lunch · Dinner · Mediterranean ·

Savory Galician Octopus with Smoked Paprika

Name: Savory Galician Octopus with Smoked Paprika
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

Savory Galician Octopus with Smoked Paprika — 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 Savory Galician Octopus with Smoked Paprika

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.