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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers and Snacks

    Grilled Baby Octopus with Nuoc Cham

    January 17, 2022 · Published: January 22, 2018 By: Asian Caucasian 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    grilled baby octopus and a nuoc cham dipping sauce

    This easy Grilled Baby Octopus recipe drizzled with a Vietnamese Nuoc Cham dipping sauce will truly blow your mind! It's the perfect party appetizer!

    Grilled baby octopus on a long gray serving platter with a small bowl of dipping sauce on the side and a pair of chopsticks.

    Don't be squeamish when it comes to enjoying this unique seafood treat! I couldn't get enough of these beautiful sea creatures when we were in Thailand. So, I just had to create this easy recipe for the blog!

    Uncooked baby octopus laid out on a white narrow platter ready to be grilled.

    Have you ever seen anything more beautiful than these delicate baby octopus (or is it "octopi?") Beautiful baby octopus can be found at most Asian markets and select grocery stores. Try Whole Foods. They always have it on hand, fresh or frozen!

    How to make perfectly grilled baby octopus

    1. These little cuties grill up in a heartbeat! Make sure you buy them already cleaned or have your fishmonger do the cleaning for you.
    2. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Turn off the heat and add the baby octopus for one minute. Remove and drain under cold water to stop the cooking.
    3. Place the baby octopus in a large sealable baggie. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Pour the marinade over the baby octopus and marinate for at least two hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
    4. Spray your outdoor grill or grill pan with cooking spray, and heat to a high heat.
    5. Place the baby octopus on the grill and use a heavy pan or grill press to flatten the octopus while it cooks. Grill for 5 minutes on each side until nice grill marks appear.
    6. Serve with the Nuoc Cham dipping sauce on the side!

    *[See recipe card for more detailed instructions.]

    Cooked baby octopus in a white bowl with a sprig of basil and sliced lemons on top.

    These baby O's cook quickly so I don't recommend making this after four glasses of wine 'cause you'll need to pay attention! I pre-cooked them for one minute in boiling water, then marinated them in the fridge for a few hours before grilling.

    How to make Nuoc Cham dipping sauce

    Nuoc Cham dipping sauce is a staple at most Vietnamese tables. This sauce compliments so many Asian dishes and I've prepared my own version of this versatile sauce.

    1. In a medium glass mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, fish sauce, lime zest, sambal oelek, cilantro, mint, shallots, garlic, and brown sugar. Taste for seasoning (more salt). Store in the refrigerator for up to three weeks or freeze for up to six months.
    2. Nuoc Cham makes a great dipping sauce for so many Asian dishes!
    A clear glass bowl with Vietnamese Nuoc Cham dipping sauce with a small whisk inserted in the bowl and sliced red onions, garlic, and cilantro sprigs on the side on top of a marble surface.

    This Nuoc Cham dipping sauce is a staple at most Vietnamese tables. It's sweet, spicy, salty, and tangy. Perfect for salads and proteins!

    Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce in a small white bowl with a white spoon and sprigs of fresh mint on the side on top of a marble surface.

    The best part is this to-die-for Vietnamese Nuoc Cham dipping sauce that's drizzled all over the top.

    Grilled baby octopus on a long gray serving platter with a small bowl of dipping sauce on the side and a pair of chopsticks lifting up a baby octopus.

    Grilled to perfection, these little cuties make a great appetizer for your dinner party. Grilled Baby Octopus cook so quickly so keep your eye on the ball!

    Serve this as an appetizer for your dinner guests and don't tell them how easy it was to make!

    TIPS & TRICKS

    • You can find baby octopus at your local Asian market, or select grocery stores like Whole Foods. They always have it on hand!
    • Make sure you buy the octopus already cleaned or, even better, have your fishmonger do the cleaning for you! Do you really want to cut the heads off yourself? 😝
    • Use an outdoor grill or grill pan on high heat, and use a heavy pan or grill press to flatten the octopus while it cooks. These babies cook up quickly, in about 5 minutes, so be sure to watch carefully!

    WANT MORE?

    If you liked this recipe, you’re going to love my Grilled Flank Steak Lettuce Cups with Nuoc Cham! These are the perfect lettuce-wrapped meal and are a cinch to make. They are incredibly flavorful and oh, so healthy!

    Update Notes: This post was originally published on January 22, 2018, but was republished with slight text changes and additions, like step by step instructions and tips in April 2019.

    Print
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    Grilled baby octopus on a long gray serving platter with a small bowl of dipping sauce on the side and a pair of chopsticks.

    Grilled Baby Octopus with Nuoc Cham

    ★★★★★

    5 from 3 reviews

    Print Recipe
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    Tender Grilled Baby Octopus combined with a Vietnamese Nuoc Cham dipping sauce make this appetizer dish a winner!

    • Total Time: 2 hours 20 mins
    • Yield: 4 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 pounds baby octopus, cleaned and heads discarded
    • Juice from 1 lemon
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • Pinch of Kosher salt & pepper

    For the Nuoc Cham sauce:

    • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
    • 1 teaspoon grated lime zest, plus juice from 1 lime
    • 1 teaspoon sambal oelek (red chili paste)
    • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
    • ¼ cup fresh mint, finely chopped
    • 1 large shallot, finely chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 teaspoons sugar
    • Pinch Kosher salt
    • Fresh cilantro for garnish

    Instructions

    1. Fill a large pot with 5 cups of water and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and add in the baby octopus for 1 minute only. Remove and strain the octopus under cold water to stop the cooking.
    2. Place the baby octopus in a large sealable baggie. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Pour the marinade over the baby octopus and marinate for at least two hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
    3. Let octopus sit to room temperature when ready to grill. Heat a stove-top grill pan or outdoor grill on high heat (spray with cooking spray). Place the baby octopus on the grill and use a heavy pan or grill press to flatten the octopus while it cooks. Grill for 5 minutes on each side until nice grill marks appear. Remove from heat and place on a platter. Pour the Nuoc Cham sauce over the top and garnish with cilantro.

    Make the Nuoc Cham Sauce: In a medium glass mixing bowl, whisk all ingredients together and taste for seasoning (more salt). Store in the refrigerator for up to three weeks or freeze for up to six months. Makes a great dipping sauce for Asian dishes!

    Notes

    • You can find baby octopus at your local Asian market, or select grocery stores like Whole Foods. They always have it on hand!
    • Make sure you buy the octopus already cleaned or, even better, have your fishmonger do the cleaning for you!
    • Use an outdoor grill or grill pan on high heat, and use a heavy pan or grill press to flatten the octopus while it cooks. These babies cook up quickly, in about 5 minutes, so be sure to watch carefully!
    • Author: Asian Caucasian
    • Prep Time: 2 hours
    • Cook Time: 20 mins
    • Category: Appetizer
    • Method: Stove Top and Grill
    • Cuisine: Vietnamese

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 453
    • Sugar: 3.3 g
    • Sodium: 978.3 mg
    • Fat: 30.5 g
    • Carbohydrates: 11.8 g
    • Protein: 34.7 g
    • Cholesterol: 108.8 mg

    Keywords: baby octopus, octopus, grilled octopus, nuoc cham

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @AsianCaucasianBlog on Instagram and hashtag  #AsianCaucasianEats

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon G

      March 02, 2019 at 10:01 am

      These little sea creatures are so tasty! Love this with the Nuoc Cham dipping g sauce, so tasty!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        March 02, 2019 at 10:06 am

        These baby octopus cook up so quickly too! Little bites of heaven!

        Reply
    2. Peggy F.

      January 12, 2019 at 3:12 pm

      I used to be skittish about eating octopus and squid, but have grown to love this true delicacy! This recipe is so easy and the nuoc cham sauce puts this appetizer over the top! Thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        January 12, 2019 at 3:13 pm

        So glad you're enjoying these delicious sea creatures and my baby octopus recipe! It really is a treat, right?

        Reply
      • Mui Ho

        June 23, 2021 at 10:25 pm

        Great recipe

        ★★★★★

        Reply
        • Asian Caucasian

          June 25, 2021 at 8:10 am

          Thank you! So glad you liked this baby octopus recipe! It's easier to make than most people think. 🙂

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    Hi, I'm Lesli! Welcome to Asian Caucasian, a healthy-ish food blog born out of a passion for home-cooked, Asian-inspired cuisine. I always cook with market-fresh ingredients and prepare simplistic, healthy Asian recipes so you can throw away those take-out menus! Come share my culinary love of beautiful Asian-fusion food, and get cooking in the kitchen! READ MORE!

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