Thawing: Let the pre-cooked octopus arms thaw slowly in the refrigerator to preserve their tenderness. Click here for our defrosting instructions. Washing: Rinse the pre-cooked pulpo arms under cold water. -
Drying: Dab them carefully with a kitchen towel.
Preparing octopus correctly
Tips & tricks from your seafood experts
Preparing pulpo properly doesn't have to be a challenge for you. With our tips & tricks, you'll know exactly what to do. The octopus is not only a fascinating sea creature, but also a culinary delicacy that can be a real treat when prepared correctly.
What you should consider when buying octopus:
Pay attention to origin: The octopus you choose should come from responsible sources. At HONEST CATCH, we attach great importance to sustainable fishing practices.
Pay attention to freshness: Freshness is the key to delicious octopus. Our frozen products are shock-frozen immediately after being caught to preserve their freshness to the maximum. We call this Sensory Fresh!
Decision-making aid: opt for pre-cooked octopus arms if you prefer quick preparation. If you opt for the whole octopus, we will show you how to cook it perfectly so that it is tender and delicious.
Quick variation with pre-cooked pulpo
Simple steps for your octopus enjoyment
Roast pre-cooked octopus properly
- Season the octopus arms, which have already been defrosted and prepared as described above, with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a pan and fry the pre-cooked octopus arms in olive oil for approx. 4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Voilà - the octopus is ready for you to enjoy.
Roast pre-cooked octopus properly
- Season the octopus arms, which have already been defrosted and prepared as described above, with salt and pepper.
- Be sure to brush the octopus with oil and, if you wish, you can also marinate the octopus.
- Whether you use a charcoal, gas or electric grill, grill the octopus arms on all sides for approx. 10 minutes until they are crispy brown.
- If they look too dry during this time, brush them with oil again.
Other preparation options:
You can also use the octopus arms in soups, salads or pasta dishes. We recommend briefly frying the octopus for a roasted flavor. In pasta dishes or soups, you can also let it warm up in the sauce without frying it first.
Advanced version with whole, raw octopus
Step-by-step guide to handling whole octopus
Thawing: It is best to defrost the octopus overnight in the fridge. This process preserves the tenderness and freshness of the octopus meat. Here you will find helpful instructions for defrosting octopus. Washing: Wash the whole octopus carefully under cold water to remove any residue.
Cooking whole octopus properly
- Bring salted water to the boil in a large pan with bay leaves, a crushed clove of garlic and thyme.
- Then reduce the heat so that the water only boils.
- Immerse the octopus in the boiling salted water for a few seconds and remove it immediately, repeating this process twice to prevent the skin from coming off during cooking.
- Leave the octopus to cook for about an hour and a half just below the boiling point. The water should be steaming, but never boiling.
This is how you can tell when the octopus is cooked:
Use a knife to test whether the octopus is cooked. If the knife goes in and out easily, the octopus is perfectly cooked.
Carving cooked octopus correctly
Place the cooked octopus on a clean work surface.
- Separate the body sac from the tentacles by running the knife along the joint, with the octopus's beak in the middle of the tentacles. Be careful, it is sharp-edged and can injure you. Carefully remove this with a knife.
- Turn the body bag inside out, remove the innards and cut off any remains with the knife.
- Dispose of the innards.
- Depending on your requirements, you can process the octopus further, e.g. cut into rings or slices.
Preparing cooked octopus correctly
Once you have prepared the whole pulpo step by step, you can cook it as described above, grill it or use it in sauces and salads.
Recipes
Recipes
