Whole Steamed Lobster

Course: Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: boiled lobster, steamed lobster, whole lobster

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings:

Calories: 245kcal

Author: Jessica Formicola

How to humanely kill a live lobster, how to steam lobster, how long to cook a lobster by pound and step-by-step images for eating whole lobster!

Print Recipe

Equipment

Large Stock Pot

Ingredients

1 1/2 pound lobster
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
Water
12 ounces beer , white wine or champagne*
clarified butter , for dipping

Instructions

Find a large, high pot about 4-5 gallons. A large stock pot or even a turkey frying pot will work. Fill the bottom with about 2-3 inches of water or other liquid options and kosher salt.
Place a steam basket or steaming rack at the bottom. Bring the water to a boil. If you are putting live lobsters into the pot, keep the bands on its claws to protect yourself. If you stab them first, you can remove the bands before cooking. See notes above on how to do this.
When boiling, add the lobsters, head first into the pot, and cover. Cook for 10 minutes plus 2 minutes for every quarter pound of lobster.
If cooking multiples and one is more on top than the other, make sure to open halfway through the cooking to rearrange them so they cook evenly. This accounts individual lobster size, not total lobster size. Try to get lobster that are similar in weight.
Remove and allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve with a side of clarified butter for dipping.
If you've tried this technique come back and let us know how it went in the comments or ratings!

Video

Notes

Using alcohol, whether it be beer, wine or sparkling wine is totally optional. It can result in sweeter meat and the alcohol will burning off while cooking. If you omit this, add more water to the pot.

Nutrition