By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on May 25, 2023 | Last Updated on November 26, 2023
Did you ever try the most popular dish, Puerto Rican Octopus Salad? It is a delicious salad dish that is even easy to make.
The flavorsome vegetables along with the boiled octopus make this dish a great option for lunch or dinner. It is an incredibly delicious food option that can be easily prepared in less than 1 hour.
In this article, I am going to tell you all about Puerto Rican octopus salad. Including the ingredients, nutritional information, and some helpful tips for making this delicious recipe.
What Is Puerto Rican octopus salad?
The Puerto Rican octopus salad is a mouth-watering and healthy dish made with boiled octopus, vegetables, spices, and olive oil. It is usually served as a side dish or appetizer. The flavorsome combination of ingredients makes this dish irresistible.
This recipe is quite popular in some areas of Latin America, especially Puerto Rico where it is often served as a side dish or appetizer.
Where Did I First Try Puerto Rican octopus salad?
I tried it at Pal Campo Restaurant located in central Florida. It was an old-style restaurant that looked small and humble from the inside.
The restaurant was quite popular among locals and travelers alike due to its delicious recipes made with fresh ingredients. I heard about this amazing Puerto Rican octopus salad as a recommendation from one of my friends who had already been there once before.
When I first stepped into the restaurant, there were some traditional decorations and the ambiance was great. The service was excellent too – the waiters and chefs were willing to explain every dish they made.
The thing that caught my attention most was a Puerto Rican octopus salad on their menu. It looked so delicious and had all the flavors I love. The price was reasonable and so I decided to try it out.
When it arrived on my table, I could smell all the amazing aromas that came from this special salad. It consisted of boiled octopus, vegetables, spices, and olive oil. When I took a bite of it, the juicy texture of the octopus combined with the vegetables and spices was simply irresistible.
I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor of this Puerto Rican octopus salad. It is truly one of my favorite dishes now! The balance between the sweetness, tartness, acidity, and umami was all perfectly incorporated into this amazing dish.
Ingredients
- A middle-size Octopus: A good quality Octopus should be used for best results.
- White vinegar: Used to tenderize the Octopus.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are used for adding tartness and sweetness.
- Red and green bell peppers: These bell peppers add a crunchy texture and freshness to
- Lemon juice: Used for adding a slight acidity to the dish.
- Coarse salt: Used for seasoning the salad.
- Olive oil: Used for adding some richness to the dish.
- Onions or scallions: These can be used to add an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Cilantro or parsley: Used to garnish the dish.
- Dried oregano: Used for seasoning the salad.
- Olives: Some olives can be used to add a salty flavor.
Cooking Directions
Step 1
Take the octopus to the sink in a pot. Clean it for a few minutes using sea salt and freshwater. Cut the legs of the octopus with scissors.
Step 2
Rinse off the octopus with fresh water to ensure it is properly cleaned. Place the octopus in a pot and fill it up with enough water to boil the octopus. Boil for 30-40 minutes.
Step 3
Roast some red bell pepper until both sides are browned. Cut the tomatoes and remove all the seeds before cutting them into small pieces.
Step 4
Cut the olives in half and chop up the cilantro into tiny sizes. Chop up the onions to make them all a uniform size.
Step 5
Clean the roasted bell pepper with fresh water and cut into small pieces. Cut both the red and green bell peppers into small pieces as well.
Step 6
Add all the vegetables to a bowl and mix them up using a spoon. Mix in some extra olive oil if desired.
Step 7
Take out the boiled octopus from the pot and cut it into small pieces. Add the octopus to the bowl of vegetables and everything together. The Puerto Rican octopus salad is now ready to be served! Take a cup and fill it with the salad.
Cooking Tips
- You can serve this delicious Puerto Rican octopus salad as a side dish or an appetizer.
- It is important to use only fresh ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
- The Octopus needs to be boiled in salted water until it’s cooked through but still tender.
- Make sure to add all of the ingredients carefully so they are distributed evenly in the dish.
- The salad can be served chilled or at room temperature with some freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- It is recommended to let the flavors of the Puerto Rican octopus salad blend together for at least 5 minutes before serving, as this will enhance its flavor even more.
What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?
- If you are looking to change up the flavor of this Puerto Rican octopus salad, you can try adding some capers or jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- You can also substitute the tomatoes with diced cucumbers and add black olives instead of green ones.
- If you don’t like cilantro or parsley, you can replace them with fresh basil or mint. For a more sour flavor, use white wine vinegar instead of regular vinegar.
- This salad is very versatile and you can easily switch up the ingredients to your liking.
Puerto Rican Octopus Salad Recipe
Equipment
- A knife
- A Pot
- Water pot
- A scissor
- Spoons
- A pan
Ingredients
- Vibrant bell pepper diced, to add a pop of color and a crisp texture
- Juicy lemon freshly squeezed, to bring a refreshing citrusy note to the dish
- Coarse salt to enhance the flavors and bring out the natural taste of the octopus
- Smooth and fruity olive oil drizzled generously, to enrich the dish and add a luxurious touch
- 1 middle-sized octopus tender and flavorful, perfect for a delightful seafood dish
- 2 or 4 ripe tomatoes juicy and bursting with flavor, to create a luscious tomato base
- Tasty olives briny and rich, to provide a delightful tang and depth of flavor
- A handful of fragrant cilantro leaves finely chopped, for a fresh and herbaceous aroma
- Dried oregano adding a hint of earthiness and complexity to the dish
- White vinegar a tangy and acidic ingredient that adds brightness to the octopus
- 4 middle-sized onions thinly sliced and caramelized for a sweet and savory element
Instructions
- Take the octopus to the sink in a pot. Clean it for a few minutes using sea salt and freshwater. Cut the legs of the octopus with scissors.
- Rinse off the octopus with fresh water to ensure it is properly cleaned. Place the octopus in a pot and fill it up with enough water to boil the octopus. Boil for 30-40 minutes.
- Roast some red bell pepper until both sides are browned. Cut the tomatoes and remove all the seeds before cutting them into small pieces.
- Cut the olives in half and chop up the cilantro into tiny sizes. Chop up the onions to make them all a uniform size.
- Clean the roasted bell pepper with fresh water and cut into small pieces. Cut both the red and green bell peppers into small pieces as well.
- Add all the vegetables to a bowl and mix them up using a spoon. Mix in some extra olive oil if desired.
- Take out the boiled octopus from the pot and cut it into small pieces. Add the octopus to the bowl of vegetables and everything together. The Puerto Rican octopus salad is now ready to be served! Take a cup and fill it with the salad.
Notes
- You can serve this delicious Puerto Rican octopus salad as a side dish or an appetizer.
- It is important to use only fresh ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
- The Octopus needs to be boiled in salted water until it’s cooked through but still tender.
- Make sure to add all of the ingredients carefully so they are distributed evenly in the dish.
- The salad can be served chilled or at room temperature with some freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- It is recommended to let the flavors of the Puerto Rican octopus salad blend together for at least 5 minutes before serving, as this will enhance its flavor even more.
Nutrition Information
- Protein: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 7.9g
- Fiber: 2.3g
- Fat: 6.8g
- Vitamin A: 28% of the RDI
- Vitamin C: 42% of the RDI
- Iron 11% of the RDI
- Calcium: 4% of the RDI
- Potassium: 10% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 8% of the RDI
- Zinc 5% of the RDI.
How to Store Leftover Puerto Rican octopus salad?
You can store leftover Puerto Rican octopus salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It is best to keep it refrigerated, so the flavors stay fresh and intact.
Before serving, make sure to reheat or bring it back to room temperature before consuming. You could also add a few drops of lemon juice or olive oil to ensure that it is still moist and flavorful.
Puerto Rican octopus salad can be served warm or cold, so you can decide which way you prefer it best.
FAQs
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, pregnant women can eat this Puerto Rican octopus salad as long as they avoid undercooked octopus.
Can I freeze this dish?
No, it is not recommended to freeze this dish as the texture and flavor may be affected. It is best to consume the dish within 3 days of preparation.
Can I use canned octopus for this dish?
No, it is recommended to use fresh octopus for the best flavor and texture. Canned octopus has a different taste and texture that may not be suitable for this dish.
Wrapping Up
So, tell us what you are thinking about this Puerto Rican octopus salad. Is it something that you would like to try out? Let us know in the comments below.
This dish is a great way to enjoy fresh seafood without breaking the bank. Plus, it is packed with nutrients and vitamins as well. So, why not give it a go and see how you like it?
We hope that this article has helped you get an idea of how to make this delicious seafood dish. Please share this recipe with your friends and family if you enjoyed it.
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My name is Lori Walker. I’m a registered dietitian, food blogger and food enthusiast. I share easy healthy, delicious recipes on my blog and review necessary kitchen items. The recipes I share take less… Read more
