Cooking Lobster Perfectly Every Time: What You Need to Know

There aren’t many culinary delights that come close to eating lobster, that’s for sure. People all over the world relish the delicate, tender meat of lobster dishes, and it’s no wonder they’ve become the ultimate seafood experience.

Enjoying lobster is one thing, but cooking it is a different matter entirely. Many cooks – even professional ones – feel intimidated by the prospect, as the stakes are high and there’s a lot that can go wrong. By honing the right method, however, anyone can learn to cook the perfect dish every time – you just need a little practice!

In this article, you’ll learn step by step how to prepare and cook lobster dishes the way you’re used to them at your favorite seafood restaurant.

Selecting the Right Lobster

In more ways than one, selecting the right lobster is the most important step to cooking a great meal. This is the most critical factor affecting the outcome of your dish, and if you can, it’s always best to go with live lobsters. As is the case with all seafood, fresh is best: it’s the best way to guarantee a great taste every time. 

Size is also a key factor. Smaller varieties of lobster (those that weigh around 1 to 1.5 pounds) are usually easier to cook evenly, and because of this, they offer a more tender flavor. By contrast, larger lobsters require more finesse while cooking, so if you’re a beginner, always go with smaller varieties when you can. 

On Lobster Season

Another element you need to be aware of when cooking lobster is the time of year. In North America, lobster fishing season varies depending on the region. Maine lobster season, for example (Maine is often considered the lobster capital), is summer to early fall. It’s during this time that the lobsters caught have the best flavor because they’ve shed their old shells by then and have new ones that are easier to crack open. So, be sure to find out when the best time is to source your lobsters based on where you live. 

Preparing the Lobster

Before you start cooking lobster, there are a few kitchen tools you need to make sure you own. They are: 

• Lobster Crackers
• A large stockpot (with a tightly-fitting lid)
• Tongs
• A meat thermometer (not essential but good to have for beginners)
• Butter (to serve)

Ethical Considerations

One of the main factors that comes into cooking lobsters is the ethical considerations around using live animals. The reality is that cooking live lobsters is the best way to preserve the flavor and texture, so whether you’re happy trading some of that for buying lobsters that have already been killed is a choice you’ll have to make on your own. 

If you do decide to buy live lobsters, the best way to dispatch them humanely is to place them in the freezer for 20 minutes. This renders them unconscious, after which you can use a sharp chef’s knife to quickly sever the lobster’s brain just before you cook it. 

How to Cook

Ultimately, there are many different ways to cook lobster, and the method you pick will depend on the specific dish you’re making. Here are the main methods:

Steaming

Steaming is a great way to cook lobsters as it enables you to preserve the natural juices for the best flavor. To do so, add 2 inches of water to a large pot and insert your steaming utensil. Place the lobster onto the rack and cover the pot, steaming for 10-15 minutes for a 1-pound lobster (adjust time accordingly for size). 

Boiling

Boiling is one of the easiest and most effective ways of cooking lobster, and it maintains the flavor very well. Start by filling your pot with water and adding 2 tablespoons of salad for every quart that you add. Bring the water to a high boil and using your tongs, place the lobster headfirst into the pot, then cover it with the lid. 

You should then cook for 8-12 minutes for a 1-pound lobster (a good rule of thumb is to add 1-2 minutes of extra cooking time for every pound over 1).

Grilling 

Grilling is another excellent way of cooking lobster if you’re looking for a smokey flavor. To do so, steam or parboil the lobster for five minutes only – just enough to partially cook it. From there, split the lobster in half lengthways using a sharp chef’s knife, and brush the exposed meat with melted butter, herbs, and some garlic. Finally, place the lobster on its exposed side on the grill for 5-6 minutes. 

Baking

It’s also possible to bake lobster – a method that works very well if you’re making stuffed lobster tails.

Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius, and cut the shell lengthways to expose the meat within. Season the meat with butter, lemon juice, garlic, and other spices your recipe calls for, and then bake for 12-15 minutes. Using your thermometer, check that the temperature of the meat reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Celsius, and you’re done!

Cracking and Serving Lobsters

Having successfully cooked your lobsters, it’s now time to extract the meat – and this is where your lobster crackers come into play! Use your crackers to crack the claws and legs, and then twist the tail off the body. From here, cut through the full length of the shell vertically. To serve, add clarified butter and lemon wedges to the plate, and pair with white wine or bear. 

If you have any lobster left over, there are many different ways you can incorporate them into new dishes. You can use them as the meat for a pasta dish or a risotto, for example, or why not try making lobster rolls? 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cooking Lobster

Here are some common mistakes to avoid during your first time cooking. 

1. Overcooking

Perhaps the most important thing to be sure of when cooking lobster is that you don’t overcook the meat. Lobster has a particularly unique flavor that can easily be spoiled if you cook them for too long.

2. Not Allowing to Cool Before Serving

It’s important to allow the lobster to cool slightly for five minutes before cracking it. This helps retain the juices. 

3. Not Seasoning the Water

It might seem like a small step, but seasoning the water before you cook with salt is a key part of the lobster flavor. Some people also add bay leaves. 

4. Using the Wrong Size Pot

Using the wrong-sized pot is another common mistake that a lot of people make. Always choose a pot that can comfortably fit the lobster you’re cooking, as uneven cooking is likely to occur if you’re using one that’s too small.

5. Misunderstanding Lobster Seasonality

Make sure you’re crystal clear on the lobster seasonality in your area to guarantee you’re getting the freshest product possible – it’s a step far too many people skip, so it needs reiterating!

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, you’re now much clearer on the ins and outs of cooking lobster to perfection. There are a few bits to keep in mind, but anyone can learn – and it’s always worth it. On one last note, make sure that you look for lobster that has been certified by organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC): this ensures that any seafood you buy has been sourced responsibly and sustainably, with as little impact as possible on the ecosystems. Have fun cooking!