Citrus-Spiced Baby Octopus Broccolini

Featured in Artful Small Plates and Sharing Dishes.

Bursting with color, this dish brings together soft baby octopus and crunchy broccolini, all brightened up with fresh orange and a warm spice twist. First, marinate the seafood in soy, ginger, garlic, and orange zest, then quickly pan-sear it for a tasty char. Sauté the broccolini so it just softens, tossing with sesame seeds for crunch. Add a splash of citrus juice and a handful of fresh chopped herbs to make everything pop. It’s got sweet seafood, earthy greens, and zingy citrus all in one crowd-pleasing main or shareable plate.

Rana
Updated on Tue, 03 Jun 2025 23:12:25 GMT
Citrus-Spiced Baby Octopus with Crunchy Broccolini Pin it
Citrus-Spiced Baby Octopus with Crunchy Broccolini | flavorsenthusiasts.com

Grab some baby octopus and bright broccolini for a colorful meal that’s big on zing. You get all sorts of bold and lively flavors with a dish that feels special without being fussy. Reach for this when you want something different but easy to pull off and super tasty.

My twist on this started after a coastal getaway where grilled octopus kept popping up everywhere. Now, whipping this up at home is my go-to when I’m in the mood for something juicy and a bit fancy but still quick and light.

Irresistible Ingredients

  • Fresh herbs: Torn parsley or cilantro sprinkled on top brings a nice lift to finish everything off
  • Fresh orange juice: Squeeze it yourself for a sweet punch that wakes up all the flavors
  • Chilli flakes: A little for subtle heat, you can add more or less if you want
  • Sesame seeds: Toast them briefly to get the best nutty crunch in every bite
  • Broccolini: Choose thick, bright stalks and trim them, they'll stay crisp and green
  • Sesame oil: Go for toasted if you can for big, rich, nutty flavor
  • Orange zest: Freshly grated orange peel makes everything pop—don’t skip it
  • Soy sauce: The salty, umami kick, so grab a high-quality bottle for a boost
  • Garlic and ginger: Chop both up fine, they'll make the dish taste warm and deep
  • Olive oil: Use the good extra virgin stuff so the veggies and octopus shine
  • Baby octopus: Make sure it’s spotless and either really fresh or defrosted gently for squidgy soft results

Simple Steps

Combine and Plate:
Toss octopus and broccolini together in a wide bowl or platter. Pour on any juicy leftovers from the pan, shower with more fresh herbs and extra sesame seeds, then bring it straight to the table while hot and steamy.
Flash-Cook the Octopus:
Fish octopus out of the marinade and drip off whatever’s clinging to it. Throw it in a piping hot pan for about 3 to 5 minutes until it’s just cooked through and has a bit of color. While sizzling, hit it with chilli flakes and a good squeeze of orange juice so it glazes nicely. Take care not to let it go rubbery by overcooking.
Broccolini Time:
With octopus soaking, get a skillet hot, add olive oil, pop in broccolini, and keep tossing until it gets vivid green and just crisp at the edges—about 3 to 4 minutes. Add sesame seeds in the last minute so they coat the stalks, then slide the broccolini out of the pan.
Give the Octopus a Soak:
Dry off octopus with a cloth, pile into a bowl, then pour in soy sauce, orange zest, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Stir everything and chill covered for at least 20 minutes to let the flavor soak deep.
A plate full of zesty baby octopus with broccolini. Pin it
A plate full of zesty baby octopus with broccolini. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

Good Stuff to Remember

  • Filled with protein and healthy oils thanks to olive and sesame
  • Mixes punchy, balanced tastes from sea and earth
  • Octopus wants just a bit of cooking—stick close to keep it tender

Whenever I zest an orange, it takes me right back to cheerful Sunday lunches with family—the citrus smell just fills the whole kitchen. The first time I made this, there was sunlight pouring in and lots of laughter around the table.

Best Ways to Store

Let leftovers cool, move them to a sealed glass container, and stash in the fridge—good for two days easy. Warm up gently in a skillet with a splash of water or juice. Skip the microwave if you want octopus to stay soft.

Easy Ingredient Swaps

No baby octopus? Try big squid tubes sliced into thick rings instead. If broccolini’s out of reach, regular broccoli or even some snappy asparagus work too. Tamari is a tasty swap for soy sauce if you need gluten-free.

Colorful citrusy baby octopus with broccolini. Pin it
Colorful citrusy baby octopus with broccolini. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

How to Serve It

Share as a small starter for four—or pile on plates for two as a light dinner with toasted sourdough or scooped over warm rice. Goes down easy with a crisp white wine or a splashy citrus cocktail. Scatter over some baby greens if you want extra color and crunch.

Flavor Inside Info

Sesame oil with orange zest brings together Asian vibes with a little Mediterranean fun. It always gets people talking when I put it out. Play with the amount of chilli flakes or fresh herbs depending on what you like best.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What's the trick for keeping baby octopus nice and soft?

Just let the octopus soak in the marinade and cook it hot and fast so it stays tender. Don't let it hang out in the pan too long.

→ Can I switch broccolini for regular broccoli?

For sure! Just slice up your broccoli to match the size and watch the cook time so it doesn’t get mushy.

→ Which citrus tastes best here?

Orange gives a gentle sweetness, but you can grab a lemon or lime if you want more zip.

→ Is grilling the octopus cool instead of searing?

Yep! Grill it for a smoky bump in flavor. Keep an eye out so it doesn’t overcook.

→ What’s a good way to finish this dish?

Scatter some fresh parsley or cilantro, toss on extra orange zest, and add a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a tasty finish.

→ Can this double as an appetizer or main?

You can totally serve it up as a little starter or make it the main event, just change up the serving size and add some sides if you want.

Citrus-Spiced Baby Octopus Broccolini

Juicy baby octopus and crunchy broccolini are tossed with tangy citrus and cozy spices for a punch of bold flavor.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Rana


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Seasonings and Garnish

01 Chilli flakes, add as much as you like
02 Fresh herbs for topping
03 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

→ Citrus

04 Freshly squeezed juice from 1 orange
05 Grated zest of 1 orange

→ Sauces and Oils

06 1 tablespoon sesame oil
07 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 1 tablespoon soy sauce

→ Aromatics

09 1 teaspoon ginger, finely chopped
10 2 garlic cloves, chopped small

→ Vegetables

11 300 g broccolini, ends trimmed

→ Seafood

12 500 g small octopus, cleaned

Instructions

Step 01

Toss together the cooked octopus and broccolini. Pour any flavored juices from the pan on top. Scatter fresh herbs to finish just before you dig in.

Step 02

Turn the heat up to high under your pan. Add the octopus you marinated before and give it a quick sear, turning now and then. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, just until it’s not raw in the middle. Shake in chilli flakes and squeeze some orange juice over before pulling it off.

Step 03

Splash some olive oil into a big frying pan and put it on medium-high. Drop in the broccolini and stir around for about 3-4 minutes, so it stays green and a little snappy. Sprinkle the sesame seeds, toss, then move it out of the pan to rest.

Step 04

Throw soy sauce, chopped garlic, grated ginger, and orange zest in a bowl and mix them up. Plop in your octopus and stir until everything’s covered. Dribble the sesame oil over to coat it all. Let the whole thing soak for 20 minutes so it soaks up flavor.

Notes

  1. Don’t let your octopus cook too long or it'll turn rubbery. Keep an eye so it stays nice and juicy.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big non-stick pan
  • Bowls for mixing
  • Grippy tongs
  • Fine zester or grater
  • Sharp chef’s knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • You'll find octopus (seafood), soy, and maybe sesame here.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 220
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 20 g