Instant Pot lime and garlic octopus is tender, zesty, and nearly foolproof – the pressure cooker takes the guesswork out of the trickiest seafood. Fresh lime, savory garlic, and a hint of cilantro keep it bright. Twenty minutes start to finish for a stunning little dish.
Unlock the secret to perfectly tender, flavorful octopus without any of the guesswork! Often seen as a gourmet ingredient best left to restaurants, this recipe makes cooking octopus at home incredibly simple, thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. In just 20 minutes, you can create a stunning dish bursting with the zesty flavors of fresh lime, savory garlic, and a hint of cilantro. It’s a light, healthy, and impressive meal perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special appetizer.
Ingredients
• 10 oz / 280g octopus, cleaned
• 2 tsp / 6g garlic powder
• 3 tbsp / 45ml fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp / 30ml olive oil
• 1 tsp / 5g (0.18 oz) fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup / 240ml water
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Directions
2. In a medium bowl, toss the octopus with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice, ensuring it’s evenly coated.2. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Place the seasoned octopus into a steamer basket and lower it into the pot.3. Secure the lid and set the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position.4. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting and cook on HIGH pressure for 8 minutes.5. Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick pressure release by carefully moving the steam release valve to the “Venting” position.6. Once the float valve drops, carefully open the lid. Transfer the octopus to a serving dish, garnish with fresh cilantro, and enjoy immediately.
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving: Calories: 120 | Total Fat: 3g (0.11 oz) | Net Carbs: 1.5g (0.05 oz) | Protein: 20g (0.71 oz) | Fiber: 0g (0 oz)
Pro Tips
• For a crispy, charred exterior, briefly sear the cooked octopus on a hot grill or cast-iron skillet for 1-2 minutes per side after pressure cooking.For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of bottled. The bright, zesty taste makes a significant difference.This octopus is fantastic served over a simple arugula salad, tossed with pasta, or as a standalone appetizer with crusty bread to soak up the delicious juices.If using frozen octopus, allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before cooking for the most even texture.
FAQ
Q: How long do you cook octopus in an Instant Pot
A: For this recipe, you cook the octopus on HIGH pressure for 8 minutes, followed by a quick pressure release.
Q: Can I cook frozen octopus in the Instant Pot
A: It is highly recommended to thaw frozen octopus completely in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. This ensures the most even texture.
Q: How do I get a crispy charred octopus
A: After pressure cooking, you can achieve a crispy, charred exterior by searing the octopus on a hot grill or in a cast-iron skillet for 1-2 minutes per side.
Q: What should I serve with this octopus
A: This versatile octopus is delicious served over an arugula salad, tossed with pasta, or as a simple appetizer with crusty bread to soak up the juices.
Pro Tips
- If using frozen octopus, thaw it completely in the refrigerator overnight for the most even texture before seasoning.
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of bottled – the bright, zesty flavor makes a significant difference in a dish this simple.
- For a crispy, charred exterior, sear the cooked octopus on a hot grill or cast-iron skillet for 1-2 minutes per side after pressure cooking.
- Eight minutes at high pressure is all it needs – longer cooking turns octopus from silky to rubbery.
- Serve it over a simple arugula salad to keep things keto; the leftover juices make an excellent cold dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lime and garlic octopus keto-friendly?
Very – each serving has about 1.5g net carbs, coming almost entirely from the lime juice and cilantro.
Can I cook octopus from frozen?
Thaw it first – overnight in the fridge gives the most even texture. Cooking it frozen leaves some parts tough and others mushy.
Why is my octopus tough?
It was likely overcooked or under-pressurized. Stick to the 8-minute high-pressure cook with a quick release – the pressure is what tenderizes the meat.
How long do leftovers keep?
Cooked octopus keeps 2-3 days in the fridge and is also excellent served cold the next day over salad with its own juices.
Recipe card below.
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Instant Pot Lime and Garlic Octopus
Ingredients
Method
- Directions
- In a medium bowl, toss the octopus with the garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice, ensuring it's evenly coated. 2.
- Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot.
- Place the seasoned octopus into a steamer basket and lower it into the pot. 3. Secure the lid and set the steam release valve to the Sealing position. 4. Select the Pressure Cook or Manual setting and cook on HIGH pressure for 8 minutes. 5.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick pressure release by carefully moving the steam release valve to the Venting position. 6.
- Once the float valve drops, carefully open the lid.
- Transfer the octopus to a serving dish, garnish with fresh cilantro, and enjoy immediately.
