Garlic Octopus with Tomato & Olives
Tender octopus seared until edges crisp, then finished in a bright tomato sauce with Castelvetrano olives and garlic. A showstopper weeknight dinner that tastes like a Roman trattoria.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 320
- Protein
- 38g

Ingredients
8 items — tap to check off
Missing one? Custrd suggests a swap that works.
Open the appInstructions
Step 1
Pat octopus dry. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high until it shimmers.
Step 2
Sear octopus 2 minutes per side without moving until edges look golden and slightly charred.
Step 3
Add smashed garlic and oregano, stir for 30 seconds until fragrant, then pour in the tomatoes.
Step 4
Add olives, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 8 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
Step 5
Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Finish with fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.
Step 6
Serve hot with crusty bread or over polenta to soak up the sauce.
Tools you’ll need
- 12-inch stainless steel or cast iron skillet
- wooden spoon
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- measuring spoons
Cook smarter
Get matched recipes for what’s in your fridge
Custrd is an iPhone and Android app that finds real recipes from the ingredients you already have. No more grocery-list aspirations. Try it free for 7 days.



