Is There a Way to Tenderize an Octopus That I Boiled and Is Now Chewy?

Octopus is known for being tricky to cook. It easily turns chewy if it's only slightly overcooked. This is because the animal lacks a skeleton. The muscles in the tentacles support each other with firm, tough tendons. Octopus meat is chewy to begin with; cooking will soften it, but if you overcook and it becomes chewy again, it's possible to tenderize it by simmering the meat for a little longer. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Fill a pan with stock or olive oil.

Place the octopus in the pan and on the stove. Turn the heat on to a low setting.

Simmer for roughly 30 minutes per 2 lbs. Check that the octopus is ready by sticking a sharp knife into it. If it offers little resistance, it is tender enough to eat.

Tips

- Pre-tenderize octopus before cooking for the best results. You can either freeze it, which helps to break down tough muscle tissue, or pound it with a mallet.

- Another way to eat octopus that is too chewy is to slice it very thinly and serve it in a salad. This is a popular way to eat octopus in Japan, and it is the country's favorite pizza topping.