Posted on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 in Soup Recipes

Traditional Azorean Octopus Stew Recipe | Polvo Guisado

5 of 5 / 3 ratings
Views: 1133
Azorean octopus stew brings tender octopus, potatoes, and rich Portuguese flavors together in a comforting island classic worth making at home.

Preparation time 20 min
Cooking Time1 h 10 min
Ready In1 h 30 min
Level of DifficultyEasy
Servings4 Servings

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Calories402 kcal
Fat6 g
Carbs45 g
Protein23 g

Ingredients

1 medium octopus (about 3 lb / 1.5 kg)4 medium potatoes2 medium onions3 cloves garlic1 bay leaf1/2 cup (100 ml) extra virgin olive oil1 small bunch fresh parsleySalt, to tasteBlack pepper, to tastePaprika, to tasteDry white wine (optional)
1 medium octopus (about 3 lb / 1.5 kg)4 medium potatoes2 medium onions3 cloves garlic1 bay leaf1/2 cup (100 ml) extra virgin olive oil1 small bunch fresh parsleySalt, to tasteBlack pepper, to tastePaprika, to tasteDry white wine (optional)

Preparation

  1. Clean the octopus thoroughly, removing any residue. 
  2. Place it in a large pot with salted water, one whole onion, and the bay leaf. 
  3. Cook until tender — this usually takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size.
  4. Once cooked, remove it from the pot and cut into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
  5. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender. 
  6. Drain, peel, and slice them into rounds.
  7. In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. 
  8. Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking until golden and fragrant.
  9. Stir in the chopped octopus and mix well.
  10. Add salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. If desired, pour in a splash of dry white wine for extra depth of flavor. 
  11. Simmer for a few minutes so the flavors meld.
  12. Add the sliced potatoes to the pan and gently toss everything together. 
  13. Cook for another few minutes to absorb the flavors.
  14. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley just before serving.
  15. Serve hot, ideally with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Recipe & Photo Credit: Mundo Azores

Recommended Cook Book

Taste Portugal 101 Easy Portuguese Recipes Cookbook

Want to master more authentic Portuguese dishes? I learned so many cooking techniques from Taste Portugal 101 Easy Portuguese Recipes—it’s a staple in our kitchen and the perfect companion to the recipes on this site.

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