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What to Serve With Grilled Octopus: 15 Best Side Dishes

Grilled octopus pairs beautifully with a range of side dishes that enhance its smoky flavor and tender texture. Consider lemon herb potatoes for a crispy yet tender contrast, or Mediterranean quinoa salad with colorful veggies. Garlic butter asparagus adds sophistication, while roasted red peppers sweeten the meal. Greek tzatziki offers a cool, tangy complement, and spinach feta pie delivers hearty flavors. A citrus arugula salad refreshes, as does a tomato cucumber salad. For richer accompaniments, try orzo pasta with vegetables or saffron rice pilaf. Pita bread, hummus, marinated olives, and feta add Mediterranean flair. Discover more flavorful combinations that elevate your dining experience.

Lemon Herb Potatoes

herb infused lemon roasted potatoes

A perfect accompaniment to grilled octopus, lemon herb potatoes offer a delightful balance of tangy and savory flavors.

The dish features lemon zest and a rich herb infusion, creating an enticing aroma that complements the succulent seafood.

Simple to prepare, these potatoes are roasted to achieve a crispy exterior and tender interior, providing the perfect texture contrast to the octopus.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

healthy and flavorful dish

Mediterranean quinoa salad offers a vibrant and nutritious side dish that pairs beautifully with grilled octopus. This delightful combination of ancient grains and colorful vegetables creates a visually appealing and deliciously wholesome option.

Quinoa provides a hearty base, while ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers add an invigorating crunch. Tossed with olive oil and herbs, this salad complements the flavors of grilled octopus perfectly.

Garlic Butter Asparagus

delicious roasted vegetable recipe

Often regarded as a classic accompaniment, garlic butter asparagus brings a sophisticated and flavorful touch to grilled octopus.

This side dish enhances the meal with its nutritional benefits, offering vitamins and antioxidants.

For a perfect wine pairing, consider a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to complement the richness.

The buttery garlic notes meld beautifully with the tender asparagus, creating a delightful experience.

Roasted Red Peppers

flavorful red pepper recipe

Complementing the smoky flavors of grilled octopus, roasted red peppers add a vibrant and sweet dimension to the dish. Their flavor profile balances the octopus's richness, while the peppers' natural sweetness enhances the overall taste.

Additionally, roasted red peppers offer health benefits, being rich in vitamins A and C, promoting a nutritious and delicious side that perfectly pairs with the main course.

Greek Tzatziki Sauce

refreshing cucumber yogurt dip

Greek Tzatziki sauce is a rejuvenating blend of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs. It provides a cool and tangy contrast to the smoky grilled octopus.

This yogurt-based dip has a creamy texture and invigorating cucumber sauce that enhances the dish's overall flavor. Its light, zesty qualities balance the rich, charred taste of the octopus, making it a delightful accompaniment to your meal.

Spinach Feta Pie

delicious greek savory pastry

Spinach feta pie is a savory pastry filled with a rich blend of spinach and tangy feta cheese that complements the grilled octopus with its hearty flavors.

This dish boasts nutritional benefits from the spinach, packed with vitamins and minerals, and the feta, which adds protein.

Its unique flavor profile combines creamy, salty, and slightly bitter notes, creating a balanced and satisfying side dish.

Citrus Arugula Salad

fresh arugula and citrus

Following the hearty notes of spinach feta pie, an invigorating citrus arugula salad brings a zesty and peppery contrast to the grilled octopus.

This flavor pairing not only enhances the octopus but also offers numerous health benefits.

The citrus adds brightness, while the arugula provides a peppery kick, making it a revitalizing and nutritious side dish that perfectly complements the main course.

Tomato Cucumber Salad

fresh summer vegetable dish

A invigorating tomato cucumber salad offers a crisp and hydrating complement to the smoky flavors of grilled octopus. The nutrition benefits include vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

For preparation, slice tomatoes and cucumbers, toss with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Add finely chopped herbs like basil or parsley for extra flavor.

This simple dish enhances both the taste and nutritional value of your meal.

Grilled Corn on the Cob

summer cookout favorite dish

Enhancing the tomato cucumber salad, grilled corn on the cob brings a crisp and invigorating addition to your grilled octopus meal.

The sweet, smoky flavor infusion achieved through expert grilling techniques complements the tender octopus beautifully. Lightly charred kernels add texture, making each bite a delightful experience.

This vibrant side dish balances the meal, offering a satisfying mix of flavors and a pleasing visual appeal.

Orzo Pasta With Vegetables

delicious vegetarian orzo dish

Orzo pasta with vegetables offers a versatile and flavorful complement to grilled octopus, enhancing the dish with its rich textures and vibrant colors.

The creamy dressing ties together the medley of fresh vegetables, creating a colorful presentation that delights the eyes and palate.

This side dish not only balances the smoky flavors of the octopus but also adds a revitalizing, satisfying element to the meal.

Saffron Rice Pilaf

delicious saffron infused rice dish

Saffron rice pilaf, with its aromatic and slightly earthy flavor, pairs exquisitely with grilled octopus, adding a touch of elegance to the meal.

This classic dish from Spanish cuisine boasts an aromatic flavor that beautifully complements the tender, smoky notes of the octopus.

The golden hue of saffron-infused rice not only pleases the eye but also enriches the overall dining experience with its delightful taste.

Charred Broccolini

savory roasted green vegetable

With its slightly bitter taste and crisp texture, charred broccolini offers a delightful contrast to the tender, smoky flavors of grilled octopus.

By utilizing proper grilling techniques, you can enhance the broccolini's natural flavors, creating a perfect complement.

The flavor pairings of the charred greens and the rich octopus create a harmonious dish that is both balanced and visually appealing.

Chickpea Avocado Dip

creamy zesty healthy snack

Complementing the smoky and crisp elements of charred broccolini, a chickpea avocado dip introduces a creamy and rich component that enhances the overall dining experience with grilled octopus.

This dip offers significant nutritional benefits, combining the protein and fiber of chickpeas with the healthy fats of avocado.

The flavor profile is both smooth and mildly nutty, perfectly balancing the robust taste of the octopus.

Pita Bread and Hummus

delicious middle eastern snack

Why not elevate your grilled octopus with the classic pairing of warm pita bread and creamy hummus?

Choose from an array of pita varieties, such as whole wheat or garlic-infused, to complement the dish.

Then, select hummus flavors like roasted red pepper or classic garlic for a perfect match.

This combination adds a delightful texture and rich taste to your meal.

What Side Dishes Pair Well with Grilled Seafood?

When grilling seafood like shrimp, the best side dishes for grilled shrimp include grilled vegetables like asparagus or zucchini, a fresh green salad with a citrus vinaigrette, or a tangy mango salsa for a tropical twist. These options complement the flavors of the grilled shrimp and create a well-balanced meal.

Marinated Olives and Feta

savory appetizer with feta

In addition to pita bread and hummus, marinated olives and feta offer a Mediterranean flair that enhances the flavors of grilled octopus.

Various olive varieties, such as Kalamata or Castelvetrano, provide a delightful contrast to the tender octopus.

The creamy, tangy feta pairing complements the savory taste of the olives, creating a balanced and flavorful side dish that is both invigorating and satisfying.