Print

How to Steam Lobster

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 3 reviews

The preferred method for cooking a live lobster

Ingredients

  • Lobsters – one per person, all approximately the same size
  • Water
  • Salt
  • Seaweed (optional, if you can find some)
  • For dipping: melted butter and lemon juice

Instructions

  1. In a large pot (4-5 gallon) put one inch of water and 2-3 tablespoons of salt. Bring to boil over high heat.
  2. Use tongs to grab the lobsters firmly and without squeamishness (do as I say, not as I do) and put them in the pot as gently as you can manage. Throw the seaweed on top if you have it.
  3. Put the lid on the pot and set the timer (see chart below for times).
  4. When the timer dings, turn off the heat and remove them from the pot to cool on a bed of newspaper (aka a Maine tablecloth)
  5. Cool 5 minutes.
  6. Shell and eat as shown in the video – start with the legs, then the claws, then the tail. Whether or not you eat the tomalley is up to you!
  7. If you like, dip pieces of lobster meat into melted butter mixed with lemon juice – about equal parts of each.
  8. Quick notes
  9. Cooking times: Start the timer as soon as you put the lid back on
  10. -1.25 pound lobster = 10-12 minutes
  11. -2 pound lobster – 12-18 minutes
  12. -3 pound lobster = 18-25 minutes
  13. *Note that cooking times are not cumulative. That is, cooking two 2 pound lobsters should take just about the same amount of time as cooking one 2 pounder. For our two 1.40 pound lobsters, we set the timer for 14 minutes.
  14. Lobsters are done when the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F, or when a leg can easily be pulled off. The only thing worse than overcooked lobster is undercooked lobster!

Notes

Cooking times: Start the timer as soon as you put the lid back on
1-1.25 pound lobster = 10-12 minutes
1.25-2 pound lobster – 12-18 minutes
2-3 pound lobster = 18-25 minutes
*Note that cooking times are not cumulative. That is, cooking two 2 pound lobsters should take just about the same amount of time as cooking one 2 pounder. For our two 1.40 pound lobsters, we set the timer for 14 minutes.

Variations
Like they do in Maine, you might also want to steam some mussels and clams alongside the lobster, and serve with boiled potatoes, corn on the cob, and French bread!

Find it online: https://hilahcooking.com/how-to-steam-and-shell-a-lobster/

Pin It on Pinterest

Scroll To Top