Galician Octopus with Steamed Potatoes
πŸ“‚ Fish & Seafood #Seafood #High Protein #Gluten-Free #Gourmet

Galician Octopus with Steamed Potatoes

⏱ Time: 25 min πŸ“Š Difficulty: Easy πŸ“… Published: 23/02/2026

πŸ™ Enjoy Galician gastronomy while taking care of your health. Tender octopus rich in minerals on a bed of steamed potatoes, dressed with paprika.

πŸ›’ Ingredients

  • 14 oz Cooked octopus tentacles
  • 10.5 oz Potatoes
  • Sweet and spicy smoked paprika
  • Flaky salt
  • 1 fl oz EVOO

πŸ™ Pulpo a Feira: A Highly Nutritious Delicacy

Galician-style octopus is one of the most iconic dishes in Spain and, interestingly, one of the healthiest if we control the amount of oil. Octopus is an extraordinary seafood, with a unique texture and an excellent nutritional profile. Accompanied by steamed "cachelos" (cooked potatoes), it makes a complete meal, gluten-free and full of traditional flavor.

πŸ₯” Why it is exceptionally healthy

  • Clean Protein: Octopus provides about 15g of very high-quality protein per 100g, with almost zero fat (less than 1%).
  • Iodine and Minerals: It is one of the best natural sources of iodine, vital for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and metabolism.
  • Resistant Starch: If we cook the potato, let it cool slightly, and reheat it gently, much of its starch becomes beneficial prebiotic fiber.

πŸ“ Step-by-Step Preparation

  1. Octopus Selection: We will use 14 oz (400g) of already cooked octopus tentacles (vacuum-packed or from the fishmonger) to guarantee a tender texture without complications.
  2. The Cachelos (The Base): Peel 10.5 oz (300g) of potatoes (preferably a waxy variety). Cut them into thick slices of about 0.4 inches (1 cm).
  3. Steaming: Place the potatoes in a steamer and cook for about 15-20 minutes, until tender when pierced with a knife but not falling apart. Steam prevents them from getting waterlogged and preserves all their flavor.
  4. Heating the Octopus: Remove the cooked octopus from its packaging. Cut it with scissors (the traditional method) into slices about 0.8 inches (2 cm) thick. You can heat it slightly for 1 minute in the microwave or submerge it for 2 minutes in hot water (without boiling).
  5. Traditional Plating: On a wooden plate (if you have one), place a bed of hot potato slices. Distribute the octopus slices on top.
  6. The Master Dressing: Sprinkle generously with flaky salt. Add 1 teaspoon of sweet smoked paprika (or half sweet, half spicy according to your taste). Finally, drizzle everything with 1 fl oz (30ml) of excellent quality EVOO.