Brined and Smoked Octopus (Gluten-Free, Paleo)
Discover the secrets to smoking octopus to perfection, resulting in tender, flavorful meat that’s sure to impress.
Flavor & Texture
|
Smoked flavor
|
Maturity
|
Humidity
|
Taste
|
Smell
|
|
Mild Flavor
|
Well Done
|
Moderate |
Sweet and smoky with a tender, buttery texture
|
Aromatic and slightly sweet with hints of lemon and smoke
|
Ingredients
- 5 pounds fresh octopus, cleaned
- 1 cup kosher salt
- 1-1/2 cups brown sugar or puremamaple syrup for paleo
- 1 quart filtered water (or more to fully cover the octopus)
- Fresh lemon wedges for serving
- Water
- Lemon slices
- Maple or apple wood chips
Cooking Time
| Prep time |
Cooking time
|
Total time |
| 15 min | 6 hours | 6 hours 15 min |
Cooking Instructions
1. Prepare the Octopus:
-
Slice the octopus into approximately 6 oz (170g) portions.
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Mix salt, syrup, and water to create a brine. Submerge the octopus in a bag or dish filled with the brine and refrigerate overnight.
2. Dry and Form a Pellicle:
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Set up the smoking racks on the counter and line them with paper towels.
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Remove the octopus from the brine, rinse thoroughly, and pat dry with paper towels. Allow it to form a pellicle (a thin, tacky layer) for 1-2 hours.
3. Begin Smoking:
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Load the smoker tray with wood chips and fill the water bowl. Preheat the smoker to 120°F (49°C).
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Place the octopus in the smoker and smoke at 120°F for 2 hours, adding wood chips and water as needed to maintain consistent smoke and humidity.
4. Increase Smoking Temperature:
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Raise the smoker temperature to 150°F (66°C) and continue smoking for another 2 hours, replenishing wood chips and water as needed.
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Finally, increase the smoker temperature to 175°F (79°C) and cook until the internal temperature of the octopus reaches 140°F (60°C).
5. Serve or Store:
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Remove the octopus from the smoker and serve with lemon slices.
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To store, let it cool and vacuum seal for later use.
*USDA safe minimum for octopus (non-ground) - 145 °F (62.8 °C)
Nutritional Information
Serves: 6-8
Amount Per Serving:
- Calories: 678
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 272mg
- Sodium: 8900mg
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 48g
- Protein: 85g
