If you want to know how long to boil octopus, you’re in the right place. Cooking the tentacled crustacean is straightforward and sets the foundation for creating a plethora of delicious dishes. Octopus is very versatile and pairs well with various ingredients; however, you want to avoid overcooking octopus, because it can become chewy and rubbery. Boiling is the best way to prevent that. Then, you can follow with another cooking method, like grilling or pan searing, to add another dimension of flavor.
So, How Long to Boil Octopus?
We’ll get to specifics shortly, but you must first prepare:
- Remove the head and beak and rinse the octopus with water. Also, remove the ink sack and internal organs.
- Fill a pot 2/3 of the way with water. Alternatively, you can use a combination of water and seafood stock.
- Bring to a boil over high heat and season the water/stock once boiling. This is a great time to add salt, spices and aromatics, like onion and garlic, to infuse the octopus with flavor.
Once everything is ready to go:
- Refer to the table below to determine your total cook time. The exact time depends on weight.
- Place the octopus into the cooking liquid once it has maintained a steady boil for 5-7 minutes, cover the pot and boil until tender. Test the texture of the octopus with a fork every 10-15 minutes.
| Weight | Cook Time |
| 1 pound | 15-20 minutes |
| 2 pounds | 30-40 minutes |
| 3 pounds | 45-60 minutes |
| 4 pounds | 60-80 minutes |
| 5 pounds | 75-100 minutes |
| 6 pounds | 90-120 minutes |
How Long to Boil Baby Octopus?
As for how long to boil baby octopus, follow the method explained above. The only edit is cook time, since baby octopus is much smaller. Boil baby octopus for 5-10 minutes, testing with a fork every 5 minutes. Another step you may consider is dunking the octopus three times before boiling it. The trio of dunks causes the tentacles to curl, which boosts presentation value.
