Easy Octopus Salad {Mediterranean-Inspired}

Name: Octopus Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 lb Smoked octopus (thinly sliced); 15-20 cherry tomatoes (halved); 1 ¾ cup mixed salad greens; 1 cup baby spinach leaves; 1 medium red onion (thinly sliced); 2 cups kalamata olives (pitted); ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon paprika; A few sprigs of fresh cilantro for garnish; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 4 tablespoons olive oil

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Smoked Octopus, Kalamata olives and a tangy vinaigrette dressing make up this throw together Octopus Salad! With fresh Mediterranean-inspired flavors it's so good!

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There’s a whole world of octopus salads out there – Croatian, Italian, Mexican ensalada de pulpo (which I LOVE), and a lot more. But if you’ve never tried one before, this Octopus Salad recipe is just what you need! It leans a bit more into Mediterranean flavors, but I added my own spin on it. It’s packed with fresh and bright ingredients, perfect to kick off a heavy meal or to have on the side!

Closeup of an octopus salad, featuring chunks of smoked octopus, halved cherry tomatoes, olives, and fresh herbs

The smokiness of the octopus, the tanginess of the olives, the freshness of the tomatoes and the greens… I think it’s the best octopus salad out there – at least in my book. And I’m not the only one! Even my pickiest eaters at home, who are usually pretty hard to impress, absolutely loved it. I make it up a lot in the summer because it’s so easy to make, but honestly, you can make it any time of the year. A total knockout!

Octopus Salad Overview

Cuisine Inspiration: Mediterranean, with a personal touch!
Number of Ingredients: 8 for the salad (excluding salt), and 3 for the dressing
Feeds: 6-8 people,
Total Cook Time: 20 minutes
Primary Cooking Method: Assembling and dressing whisking
Dietary Info: Gluten-Free, Pescatarian
Key Flavor: Smoky octopus, fresh greens, and tangy dressing
Skill Level: Beginner

Notable mentions

Super Flexible: This octopus salad is your go-to for pretty much anything. Need a starter? Got it. A side? Sure thing. Or hey, throw some baked potatoes next to it, and you’ve got a light dinner!
Keeps Things Light: Got a heavy main dish? This smoked octopus salad lightens everything up. It’s refreshing, it’s crisp, and it makes sure you’ve got room to enjoy everything on the table without feeling stuffed.
Easy-Peasy: If you’re scared of cooking with octopus, don’t be! The ingredients are really simple, the steps are straightforward, and before you know it, you’re serving up something that looks way harder to make than it actually was.
Tasty as Heck: Each bite is a mix of smoky octopus, tangy dressing, crisp onions and greens, and sweet tomatoes. SO tasty!

Ingredients to make Octopus Salad

For the salad

Thinly Sliced Smoked Octopus: If you can’t find it smoked, no biggie. You can grab some canned smoked octopus or even pre-cooked octopus. And if you want to smoke it at home, just boil the raw octopus for 2 minutes to get it tender, then grill each side for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t char too much!
Cherry Tomatoes: These little gems add a juicy, sweet pop to each bite.
Mixed Salad Greens: They set the fresh foundation for your octopus salad.
Baby Spinach Leaves: They’re not just for Popeye! They bring a wonderful, slightly earthy flavor to the mix.
Red Onion: Thinly sliced for that crunchy, slightly sweet element.
Olives: I’m all in for pitted kalamata olives because they’re just SO flavorful, but you can use any type you love or have on hand.
Seasoning: A sprinkle of salt and a sprinkle of paprika to enhance all the flavors in the salad.
Cilantro for Garnish: For an extra touch of freshness and color!

For the dressing

Dijon Mustard: The tangy spice of Dijon is the best part of the dressing. It goes really well with the smoked octopus.
Fresh Lemon Juice: For a citrusy kick that cleanses the palate.
Olive Oil: To blend everything into a beautifully emulsified dressing!

Overhead shot of ingredients to make octopus salad on the table before mixing

How to make Octopus Salad

step 1: prep the dressing

In a small bowl, combine the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil. Whisk well to emulsify into a zesty dressing. Set aside.

Overhead shot of the dressing for the octopus salad in a bowl

Step 2: mix the salad

Gently toss the mixed salad greens and baby spinach in a large salad bowl. Then, add the smoked octopus slices.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes, the green onion slices, and the olives.
Drizzle half of the dressing over the salad and sprinkle with salt and paprika.
Mix the salad thoroughly, plate it, and garnish each serving with fresh cilantro leaves. Offer the remaining dressing on the side.

A step by step image collage on how to make octopus salad, with mixing the spinach with the octopus and the onions, adding the rest of the ingredients, drizzling the dressing on top, and tossing the salad

Popular substitutions & additions

Throw in Some Potatoes Boil up a few baby potatoes until they’re soft, chop them into chunks, and mix ’em in with the salad. It makes this octopus salad recipe more of a complete meal.
Capers: Add a spoonful of capers to get that tangy, floral kick. They’re like little flavor bombs that work wonders with the olives and the octopus.
Heat Things Up: Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or mince up a jalapeño and toss it in. It’ll give your salad a spicy edge that perfect for heat lovers, or for those who want a bit of heat every now and then.
Greens Swap: Mix up the greens if you’re feeling it! Try arugula for a peppery bite or watercress for a bit of a tang.

Tips for making the best octopus salad

Prep Your Canned Octopus: If you’re using canned pre-cooked octopus, give it a good rinse under cold water, then drain it well. Also, pat it dry with paper towels before slicing. This helps to get rid of any excess moisture that could water down your salad.
Play with the Flavors: Taste as you go and trust your gut. Feel like it needs more zing? Add a bit more paprika, salt, or even an extra dab of Dijon mustard. Just make taste right to you and your fam!
Emulsify the Dressing Good: Really whisk that dressing until it’s well emulsified. You want the oil and lemon juice to incorporate well, creating a dressing that’s smooth and bursting with flavor.
Freshness Is Key: Use the freshest ingredients you can find, especially when it comes to the octopus and the veggies. The brighter and crisper the greens, and the more tender the octopus, the better your smoked octopus salad will be.

Octopus salad on a white plate with halved cherry tomatoes, dark purple olives, slices of red onion, chunks of octopus, and spinach leaves, with a golden yellow napkin and salad dressing in the background

How to store Octopus Salad

To store this salad, pop it in an airtight container and stash it in the fridge. If the dressing is on the side, you can keep the components separate and dress it right before eating. That’s usually what I do so the salad doesn’t get soggy!

How long will Octopus Salad last in the fridge?

In the fridge, your octopus salad will stay fresh for up to 2 days, tops. That’s if you haven’t dressed it all. If you’ve already dressed the salad, it’s best to eat it within a day to keep the greens from getting soggy.

What to serve with Octopus Salad

With Fish or Seafood: This salad is AWESOME with fish dishes (for obvious reasons). Broiled salmon or cod? Perfect match.
Before the Heavy Hitters: I always serve this salad before bringing out the big guns like oxtail soup or chicken Kiev. It kinda sets the stage, you know? Keeps everyone from getting too weighed down right from the start.
Make It a Main Dish: If you’re thinking of making this salad the main dish, pair it with corn salsa or some buttery rice. Easy and tasty sides.
Picnic Time: I’m all about bringing this salad to picnics, especially with a side crew of simple salads. Last time we hit the park, I brought along a classic potato salad and a simple tomato and cucumber salad.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use other seafood instead of octopus?

Absolutely! Squid, shrimp, or even scallops can slide into this recipe without missing a beat. Just remember to adjust your cooking times based on what you’re subbing in.

Does octopus taste like fish?

Nah, octopus doesn’t really taste like fish. It has more of a mild, almost sweet flavor with a meaty texture. And in this case, a smoky, delicious flavor!

Can I make the salad ahead of time?

For sure! Slice up your octopus, chop your veggies, whip up your dressing, and keep everything in separate containers in the fridge. Just toss it all together when you’re ready to serve to keep it fresh and crispy.

Overhead shot of a plate of octopus salad with cherry tomatoes, red onion, olives, and spinach, with a fork in it. Next to it there is a bowl with spinach leaves and another bowl with more olives

Next time you wanna impress the crew or just treat yourself to something tasty, put this Octopus Salad together. It’s a solid choice that never gets old! Super easy to get right, and once you’ve got the hang of it, you can start jazzing it up your way. Maybe throw in some extra spices, play around with the veggies, or switch up the dressing – it’s all good.

More Easy Side Dish recipes:

I want to hear from you! If you try this easy Octopus Salad recipe or any other of my easy recipes for big families on Dinner in 5, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! I read all the comments and respond!

Octopus Salad

Octopus Salad Overview

Notable mentions