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Polvo à Lagareiro

Tender octopus roasted with an avalanche of olive oil, garlic, and potatoes — a Portuguese classic named for the olive press.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 1 hrCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Polvo à Lagareiro recipe photo

Polvo à Lagareiro is octopus at its most Portuguese — tender tentacles roasted in a flood of olive oil with garlic, bay and potatoes, until the edges turn crisp and golden. The name points to the olive press, a nod to the generous oil that defines the dish.

The secret is cooking the octopus low and slow until it is almost buttery, then blasting it hot. Served with boiled potatoes that soak up the garlicky oil, it is festive fare, especially at Christmas Eve tables across the country.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Simmer the octopus with the onion, wine, a bay leaf and water to cover until tender, 45-60 minutes (or 20 minutes in a pressure cooker).
  2. Drain, cut into tentacles, and pat very dry.
  3. Boil the potatoes until tender, drain, and smash them lightly.
  4. Heat the olive oil with the garlic and remaining bay leaf, add the octopus and potatoes, and roast at 425°F until the edges are crisp, 20-25 minutes, turning once.
  5. Finish with paprika, salt, parsley and a final splash of olive oil.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Dry the octopus thoroughly before roasting for crisp edges. If fresh octopus is hard to find, good frozen octopus, properly thawed, works beautifully.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook1 hr
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →