Mediterranean Octopus Potato Salad – The Italian Appetizer That Steals the Seafood Show

If you’ve never tried Octopus Potato Salad, don’t worry—you’re not alone. I used to think “boiled octopus” sounded like something you’d get tricked into eating on a dare. That is, until I had this Italian Octopus classic at a seaside lunch in Puglia, and suddenly I was asking for seconds like a true seafood convert.

This Mediterranean recipe is everything a refreshing salad should be: bright, briny, tender, and tossed with just enough olive oil dressing to make you forget every boring side salad you’ve ever suffered through.

Whether you’re planning your Feast of the Seven Fishes, looking for a cold appetizer that actually wows, or just need a little gourmet seafood moment on a Tuesday, this dish delivers—and yeah, it’s surprisingly easy too.

Octopus and Potato Salad

The ultimate flex of Italian seaside cooking—tender octopus and buttery potatoes come together in a dish that somehow manages to feel both fancy and super chill. With a tangy splash of vinegar magic and a herby crunch, this isn’t your average seafood salad—this one actually has personality.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Equipment

• Knife
• Cutting board
• Large pot
• Mixing bowl
• Tongs

Ingredients

  

• 6 cups water
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• ½ cup white wine vinegar or mild white balsamic vinegar
• 1 pound raw octopus cleaned
• 1 pound potatoes about 3 medium, peeled and chopped
• 1 rib celery finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Additional vinegar to taste

Instructions

• Prepare the Water: Fill a large pot with 6 cups of water. Bring it just to a simmer, then add the salt and vinegar. This creates a flavorful base for cooking.
  6 cups water, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, ½ cup white wine vinegar or mild white balsamic vinegar
• Cook the Potatoes: Add the peeled and chopped potatoes to the simmering water. Boil them for about 10 minutes, or until just fork-tender. Use a slotted spoon to remove the potatoes and place them in a large mixing bowl.
  1 pound potatoes
  
• Cook the Octopus: In the same pot of water, gently place the octopus. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 40 minutes, or until it’s tender when pierced with a fork.
  1 pound raw octopus
• Cool the Octopus: Turn off the heat and let the octopus cool in the cooking water. This step helps it stay soft and juicy.
• Chop the Octopus: Once cooled, remove the octopus from the water and chop it into bite-sized pieces.
  
• Combine with Potatoes: Add the chopped octopus to the bowl with the potatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and toss gently to coat.
  2 tablespoons olive oil
• Add the Aromatics: Add the chopped celery, minced garlic, and parsley to the bowl. Toss everything together to mix the flavors.
  1 clove garlic, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1 rib celery
• Brighten It Up: Add a generous splash of vinegar to the salad and toss again for a fresh, tangy finish.
  Additional vinegar
• Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with a little extra parsley before serving. You can serve it slightly chilled or at room temperature—and yes, it tastes even better after a short nap in the fridge.

Octopus Potato Salad Like a Pro (Or at Least Like Someone Who’s Boiled a Cephalopod Before)

Let’s not pretend this is some ultra-fussy gourmet seafood ritual. This Octopus Potato Salad is laid-back, flavorful, and way easier once you know these tips from someone who’s been down this slippery road more than a few times.

🧊 Freeze the Octopus First

No, really. Toss it in the freezer overnight. It breaks down the muscle fibers and makes it way more tender when cooked. Nature’s meat tenderizer—no mallet required.

🔥 Low and Slow is the Octopus Gospel

Don’t boil it like pasta on a first date. Simmer it gently, lovingly, like you’re wooing it. Angry bubbles = rubbery seafood sadness.

❄️ Let It Chill (Literally)

Leave the octopus in the water after cooking until it cools. It finishes cooking and becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender. Also, less work for you—win-win.

🥔 Don’t Overthink the Potatoes

Yukon Golds or red potatoes are the sweet spot. They hold up without turning into mush, unlike that one friend who can’t handle brunch plans.

🧴 No DolceAgro? No Tears

A mix of white wine vinegar and a splash of grape juice or apple juice does the trick if you can’t find it. Or just use white balsamic and call it a day.

🥬 Celery Crunch Is Not Optional

That little crunch balances all the soft textures. Don’t skip it unless you’re planning to replace it with something fun like fennel or even radish.

🧄 Garlic: Raw or Tamed?

Raw garlic gives it punch, but if you’re not into breathing fire, soak the chopped clove in vinegar for 5 minutes first. Softens the flavor, not your street cred.

🧊 Make It Ahead. Trust Me.

This salad gets better after a few hours in the fridge. Like revenge, it’s a dish best served cold—with parsley on top.

🫒 Extra Credit: Throw in Extras

Want to level it up? Toss in olives, capers, or sun-dried tomatoes for that seafood salad gone bougie vibe.

🍽️ Serve it Like You Meant To Impress

Big shallow platter, drizzle of olive oil, one dramatic parsley leaf in the center. Boom. You’re now that person who “just throws together” Mediterranean seafood like it’s nothing.