What To Serve With Grilled Octopus? 10 Best Side Dishes

Not sure what to serve with grilled octopus?

Grilled octopus pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Try roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, spinach salad, couscous, or quinoa. For something lighter, try a fresh green salad with vinaigrette dressing. To bring out the flavor of the octopus even more, serve it with garlic-lemon butter or chimichurri sauce.

I have compiled a list of 10 amazing side dishes that are sure to make your seafood feast complete.

From curried cauliflower and cheesy polenta, to spicy greens and roasted potatoes, these sides will perfectly complement the juicy and smoky grilled octopus.

Whether you’re looking for something light and bright, or something bold and flavorsome, this selection has it all.

You’ll find classics like garlic bread as well as some more unique dishes like caponata bruschetta!

So don’t worry about what to serve with your next Octopus dish – let’s get cooking!

Read Also:

• Octopus Wine Pairing – The Best Wines for Octopus
• What Do Octopus Eggs Taste Like?

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Grilled Octopus?

• Texture: Grilled octopus is a great source of texture, with its chewy and tender consistency. Serving side dishes that are crunchy or creamy can help to balance out the texture of the octopus.
• Flavor: Side dishes can also be used to enhance the flavor of grilled octopus by adding complementary flavors such as herbs, spices, citrus, and other ingredients like olives or capers.
• Color: A variety of colorful side dishes will make your plate look more appealing and inviting for guests. Consider serving roasted vegetables like bell peppers or eggplant alongside your grilled octopus for a vibrant presentation.
• Nutrition: Adding nutritious sides to your meal helps to round it out nutritionally and provide essential vitamins and minerals that may not be present in the main dish alone. For example, you could serve a salad made with leafy greens or cooked grains like quinoa or farro on the side of your grilled octopus for added nutrition benefits.
• Variety: Offering multiple sides gives diners more options when it comes to their meal choices which makes them feel more satisfied overall! Plus, having different types of food on one plate adds visual interest which can make eating even more enjoyable!

What To Serve With Grilled Octopus? 10 Best Side Dishes

Grilled octopus is an impressive dish to serve, but it needs the right side dishes to complete the meal.

Here are ten sides that will pair perfectly with grilled octopus, offering a variety of flavors and textures:

1. Roasted Potatoes

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Roasted potatoes – the salty, crispy crowd pleaser that always seems to steal the show. Whether you pair them with grilled octopus or any other dish, these little potato nuggets never stop delighting.

Their crunchy exterior and soft interior will have you licking your fingers in no time. And don’t forget their multi-dimensional flavor profile! Sweet, salty, earthy…you can keep everyone guessing at the party about their ingredients without breaking a sweat.

That’s what I call an impressive side dish for an impressive entrée. Delicious and fuss-free? Sounds like a winning combo to me!

2. Eggplant Caponata & Labneh Bruschetta

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When it comes to grilling octopus, the side dishes are just as important as the star of the show.

That’s why I suggest adding two of my favorite accompaniments – Eggplant Caponata and Labneh Bruschetta.

The Eggplant Caponata is like a flavor bomb in your mouth – sweet, salty, a bit acidic, with a touch of creamy richness from olives and capers.

It’s a mix-and-match crowd pleaser that adds depth to any meal.

On the other hand, Labneh Bruschetta is a bright contrast to an eggplant dish – it packs creamy goodness— nutty garlic butter with tangy yogurt — perfect for slathering onto crusty bread.

Plus its simplicity makes it both

3. Greek Salad

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Greek Salad, the classic accompaniment to any grilled octopus dish.

It’s not just another salad.

With its mix of acidic and salty flavors, it’s like a party in your mouth.

Think of the juicy tomatoes as confetti, crumbled feta cheese as music notes, freshly chopped onions as streamers – all dancing together across your taste buds.

Then there are the crunchy olives and fresh cucumber pieces like little noisemakers in a flavorful symphony that can’t be beat.

Add a good glug of olive oil for an extra layer of creaminess and you’ve got yourself a backyard celebration on your plate – fit for any grilled octopus feast!

4. Grilled Asparagus

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Grilled asparagus: the side dish that’s equal parts delicious and impressive.

It may not look like much, but its simple elegance will have you coming back for more.

This bright-green veggie has a smoky, woodsy flavor that brings out the best in any meal.

Plus it’s easy to prepare – just brush with oil and balsamic and pop them on the grill until tender yet charred.

Top with parmesan cheese or your favorite seasoning for an extra punch of flavor.

With just a few minutes of prep work and cook time, you can create restaurant-quality dishes that are sure to wow even the pickiest eaters!

5. Roasted Vegetables

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Roasted vegetables – the side dish that always delivers.

From sweet potato cubes to baby carrots and Brussels sprouts, there’s something for everyone.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a veggie lover or a meat eater, roasted veggies make everything better.

Plus, roasting brings out their natural sweetness and nutty flavor so they can stand up next to grilled octopus’ bold taste.

With these vibrant sides coming in different shapes and colors like an artist’s palette, your plate literally looks as good as it tastes!

6. Creamy Cheddar Parmesan Polenta

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When it comes to the side dish game, creamy cheddar parmesan polenta is a real fan favorite.

It’s like the rockstar of sides that knows all the right moves to get your mouth watering.

This creamy number perfectly balances tangy cheddar cheese and salty Parmesan with just the right amount of garlic and oregano, offering an explosion of flavor in every bite.

It also works as a blank canvas for whatever flavors you would like to add.

Whether turning up or toning it down, this savory side gives you complete creative control over what your plate looks like – something everyone can appreciate!

7. Quinoa Tabbouleh

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When it comes to side dishes, quinoa tabbouleh is the MVP.

It’s nutritious, flavorful, and pairs perfectly with grilled octopus.

With ingredients like fresh tomatoes and herbs like parsley and mint mixed in a light lemon dressing, this dish brings balance to any meal.

Think of it as the cherry on top – or rather, the olive oil drizzle – a delicious finishing touch that makes all the difference.

8. Garlic Bread

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Garlic bread?

Is it a necessity or a luxury?

Yeah, let’s go with both.

It’s the kind of sidekick that can make your grilled octopus meal go from 0 to 100 real fast.

Crispy on the outside and oh-so garlicky on the inside, garlic bread is like adding an umami bomb to your plate.

Not only does it enhance every bite, but it also creates an unforgettable aroma that will have everyone at the table salivating in anticipation!

Using quality ingredients and a little love (not to mention butter!), you can transform this basic sandwich into something extraordinary – something worthy of being served alongside premium seafood dishes such as grilled octopus.

9. Roasted Curry Cauliflower

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My favorite side dish?

Roasted curry cauliflower, of course.

It’s a dance across your taste buds – sweet and fragrant spices that mingle with the crunchy texture of cauliflower.

Plus, it’s packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

With one bite you experience harmony between health and flavor!

Roasting adds an extra special element – the cauliflower becomes slightly charred around the edges adding another layer of smoky sweetness to the mix.

Give me a heaping scoop and I’m in heaven!

10. Spicy Collard Greens

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Spicy collard greens. It’s like if a salad and a burrito got married and had a love child.

Tangy, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying – they sure pack quite the flavor punch.

If you’re looking to give your taste buds an adventure, then look no further than this scrumptious side dish!

Simmering them in broth gives them an incredible depth of flavor that shouldn’t be missed.

And adding jalapeño peppers blows them out of the park with its perfect balance of heat and acidity.

For those daring enough to try it, spicy collard greens are guaranteed to light up any meal or gathering!

Conclusion

In conclusion, grilled octopus is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes.

From roasted potatoes to curried cauliflower, there are plenty of options for tasty accompaniments.

The best side dishes to serve with grilled octopus are roasted potatoes, caponata bruschetta, Greek salad, grilled asparagus, roasted vegetables, cheesy polenta, quinoa tabbouleh, garlic bread, curried cauliflower, and spicy greens.

These sides are all easy to make and can be served as part of a larger meal or as a light snack.

With these 10 side dishes, you can make sure that your grilled octopus is always accompanied by delicious and flavorful dishes.