Frozen octopus is the perfect product to be able to enjoy this healthy food whenever you feel like it. However, it’s not always clear how to cook it to achieve the best results possible. The following tips and tricks will help you enjoy eating a high-quality product with all its flavor intact. Learn an easy method to cook octopus so that it’s always perfectly done. In this article, we’re starting with frozen octopus, which is how we’ll usually find octopus in our local markets.
HOW DO YOU DEFROST FROZEN OCTOPUS?
The best way to defrost raw frozen octopus is to take it out of the freezer 24 hours in advance and allow it to defrost slowly in the refrigerator.
If we need to defrost the octopus quickly, another option is to put it in a bowl of warm or room temperature water for about a half hour or place it under running water while moving it around so that it defrosts.
Can you cook octopus without defrosting it?
While it is possible, we don’t recommend it because the middle area is thicker and takes longer to cook, and so it will still be frozen when the end of tentacles is already cooked.
STEPS TO COOK OCTOPUS
Follow the steps in this video for an easy way to cook frozen octopus:
- Boil enough water to cover the entire octopus in a large pot.
- Once boiling, put the octopus in the water. Leave the octopus in the water for 5 seconds, then take it out for 5 seconds. Repeat this step three times, then leave it in the water.
- Allow the water to come back to a boil, then lower the heat so it simmers. A 4-pound octopus should cook for approximately 20-25 minutes, counting from when the water starts to boil again.
- Then, take the pot off the heat and cover, allowing the octopus to rest for an additional 20-25 minutes.
- After resting, the octopus should be perfectly cooked.
How can you tell it’s done? Take the octopus out of the water and insert a toothpick in the part closest to the head (the thickest part of the tentacles and the one that takes the longest to cook). If it’s tender, take the octopus out of the water.
The following tips should always be remembered when cooking octopus.
PRACTICAL TIPS TO COOK FROZEN OCTOPUS CORRECTLY
1. Choose the right pot
The pot you use to cook the octopus should be large enough for the water to fully cover the octopus.
A tip: once the water starts to boil, turn down the heat so it doesn’t bubble over.
2. Cook the octopus without salt
One of the most common mistakes that leads to tough octopus is adding salt to the cooking water. Octopus should always be cooked in unsalted water.
Octopus is seasoned once cooked, in the dish. Add a pinch of salt, a bit of paprika, and a dash of olive oil.
3. Choose good raw materials
Following the above method will be of no use if you’re using a poor-quality product. It’s important to check the quality, texture, weight, and even the appearance of the product before buying it. Read the product’s label carefully to understand where it was sourced and choose the item that offers the most guarantees.
SOME OF THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO COOK OCTOPUS
How do you cook frozen raw octopus?
To cook frozen raw octopus, add the octopus to boiling water (without salt). Once the water comes back to a boil, cook for 15 minutes, uncovered, on medium heat for a 2-pound octopus. Then allow to rest off the heat for 15 to 20 minutes with the pot covered. To ensure that the octopus is tender and cooked properly, prick the thickest part of a tentacle with a toothpick.
How long does the octopus need to cook?
Add the octopus to boiling water (without salt). Once the water comes back to a boil, cook for 15 minutes, uncovered, on medium heat for a 2-pound octopus. Then allow to rest off the heat for 15 to 20 minutes with the pot covered. For each additional pound of octopus, add 3-5 minutes to the cooking and resting times. To ensure that the octopus is tender and cooked properly, prick the thickest part of a tentacle with a toothpick. Find more information in this article on octopus cooking times.
Octopus has become popular all over the world thanks to its incredible properties and exquisite flavor.
As you can see, it’s easy to cook and is a great option to include on your restaurant’s menu. Plus, if you buy it already frozen, you’ll always have it on hand to create a variety of delicious dishes for your guests, especially now that it’s become popular all over the world thanks to its incredible properties and exquisite flavor.
Browse our best recipes with octopus and enjoy this delicacy in original dishes.
