The 4 Maine Ways To Cook A Lobster
There are traditional ways of cooking lobster and there are ways that many people wouldn’t think of.
We have a list of 4 ways to cook a lobster below……enjoy!
BOILING: Perhaps the easiest way to cook a lobster.
- In order to boil your lobster, you will need a large pot with a lid.
- Pour enough water in the pot to cover the lobster completely.
- Add 2 tablespoons of sea salt for every 2 liters (4 pints) of water.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil.
- Grasp the live lobster from the back drop it headfirst into the boiling water.
- Cover the pot and once the water has started to boil again, start timing.
- Boil the lobster for 10 minutes for the first 1-lb of weight and then 3 more minutes for each extra pound. A 2-lb lobster will be done in 13 minutes, a 3-lb lobster in 16 minutes.
- Once cooked, drain the lobster immediately and serve hot with some melted butter on the side for dipping.
STEAMING: Mainiacs prefer to cook their lobster this way!
You will have to increase the cooking time to steam your lobster, however, many people say that the result is even better than boiling, giving you a succulent and tasty lobster meat.
- Place a steaming rack to hold the lobster in the bottom of a large pot.
- Pour 2 inches of water into the pot and add 1 tablespoon of sea salt.
- Cover the pot with the lid and bring the water to the boil.
- Once the water is boiling fiercely, place the lobster onto the rack, cover the pot and bring back to the boil.
- Begin timing once the water is boiling again.
- Steam the lobster for 14 minutes for the first lb of weight and then an extra 3 minutes for each extra lb. A 2 lb lobster will cook in 17 minutes, a 3 lb in 20 minutes.
- Once the lobster is done, drain immediately and serve. You better have some melted butter on the side for dipping, or else we will not be eating over!
GRILLING: This is a great way to cook a lobster during football season or do something different for that family BBQ.
- Par-boil the lobster for 5 minutes.
- Heat the grill to a medium to hot heat.
- Grab a knife and cut the lobster down the middle. Remove the guts and veins in the tail, the green tomalley (unless you like this, then remove and eat) and the sand sac which is located in the head area, behind the eyes.
- If you like add some butter and any other seasoning or marinade to the lobster and throw them on the preheated grill, shell-side down for around 8 – 10 minutes or until the lobster meat is firm.
- Serve with melted butter of course.
BAKED STUFFED LOBSTER: Many restaurants have this on their menus. It is fairly easy to make.
- Par-boil the lobster for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove and let cool for a minute.
- Grab a knife and cut the lobster down the middle. Remove the guts and veins in the tail, the green tomalley and the sand sac which is located in the head area, behind the eyes.
- Take one of our Maine Crab Cakes and stuff the body of the lobster. All you are really doing is packing the lobster with the crab cake between the lobster legs, where you split his body.
- Drizzle some butter on the crab cake.
- Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes or until stuffing is golden brown.
16 Responses to “The 4 Maine Ways To Cook A Lobster”
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Andy's Maine Lobster Specials
Your recipes above only mention the time for one lobster.
Can you put, say, two lobster in the pot at a time, or is recommended to boil/steam one at a time?
If two or more, whate are the new cooking times?
Thanks,
Scott
once you’re done boiling or steaming the lobster, do you have to remove the guts or veins, sand sack. etc,etc. this will be my first time
If I am steaming 4 lobsters (2# each), will it still take only 17 minutes?
YES!
It does not matter if there is one or more… Cooking time should not change.
I steam lobsters and steamers (clams) all the time and usually put 4-5 in the pot together when cooking.
I have found for 2 pounders, about 18 minutes is a good cooking time.
Some people remove everything, some eat all…your choice…there is no harm in eating.
I wish the cooking instructions had been in the box with the live lobsters. I had no idea what to do or to look for dead lobsters, etc. I had to google the cooking instructions and I made it work. I froze them after parboiling. Can’t wait to eat them!! I love lobster!!
Cooking lobsters this weekend so thank you so much for the information!!!
I find lobsters to be quite salty in taste. Doesn’t adding the sea salt to water in boiling recipe increase that salty taste too much?
Can’t stand thought of holding a live anything and plunging it head-first into boiling water, or giving it a bed of seaweed while the life is steamed/boiled out of it!! And, I was born & raised in Maine!!
I’m with you. Can you get them dead?
Can’t stand thought of holding a live anything and plunging it head-first into boiling water, or givi353ng it a bed of seaweed while the life is steamed/boiled out of it!! And, I was born & raised in Maine!!
I do not plan on eating all the lobster at once but want to freeze some. How long do I parboil before freezing. My taste buds await!
We will be cooking the live lobster that is on it’s way to us at an elevation of 8,300′. How long would you expect they should be boiled for?
I have heard of people microwaving a lobster. Any idea how long it would take?
I agree with Nancy. I love lobster but can’t even pick out a live one at a restaurant. I order just the tails. For some reason, don’t feel as guilty.
Did you know you can request that your lobster be pre-cooked for you?