How to boil octopus: timing and tricks for tenderizing it

The secret isn't in a special ingredient, but in the preparation, the temperature, and especially the cooking time. The octopus must be cleaned properly, immersed in water, and cooked until the fibers are tender, without relying on traditional tricks like corking.

Here are all our tips for boiling octopus, step by step, to understand when it's done, and what mistakes to avoid to bring tender and flavorful octopus to the table, whether in a salad or elsewhere.

Difference between boiling and boiling

The two terms are often used synonymously, but boiling and boiling are not at all.

Boiling, in fact, requires the food to be immersed in water that has already reached a boil. In poaching, however, the food is placed in a pot of cold water and only then is the water brought to a boil.

How to Boil Octopus in 5 Steps

Octopus contains muscle fibers and connective tissues that require proper cooking to become tender.

Cooking too little can leave the meat tough, while cooking too long doesn't automatically guarantee a better result. So, how do you boil octopus correctly? To avoid mistakes, just follow these 5 steps:

• Using the tip of a knife or scissors, remove the eyes and the horny beak located where the tentacles meet.
• Turn your head over to wash off any sand residue.
• Immerse the octopus in a saucepan of cold water flavored with two celery stalks, a spring onion, and other herbs to taste; as it heats slowly, its tough fibers will soften even more.
• Cook it for 30 minutes from boiling, skimming the water repeatedly during cooking.
• Turn off the heat and let the octopus cool in the cooking water. Drain. For a more refined flavor and elegant presentation, remove the skin and suckers with your hands: they'll come off very easily.

In the photo tutorial below, you'll find step-by-step instructions for boiling octopus. How do you know if octopus is cooked?

Finding yourself chewing on rubbery octopus is certainly not a pleasant experience. Once cooked, test it with a fork: if it goes in easily, it's perfectly cooked; if it resists, continue cooking for another 10 minutes.