Learning how to cook lobster to perfection in 5 ways is definitely a great culinary experience. Let’s show you how to do it.

To enjoy seafood without lobster would definitely be a culinary faux pas! This delicious crustacean has graced many a seafood spread! Its distinct flavour takes your taste buds on a journey that will leave you wanting more. While typically enjoyed as boiled or steamed, there are other ways in which lobster can be prepared that will take it to a higher taste level, like in this paella.  Let’s get into more detail about how to cook lobster.

Before you buy a live lobster

To cook the perfect lobster, you'll need to get your hands on one first. Here are some tips for buying a live lobster: 

• Buy from a reputable seafood market or fishmonger
• Buy lobsters that are alive and heavy for their size
• Purchase lobsters with fresh-looking, firm-textured claws
• Avoid any that are missing claws, have torn or chewed-up bodies, or appear dead.
• For most recipes, you will want to buy 1.5-pound lobsters (this is a ballpark figure, cooking time will vary depending on what type of recipe). You can also buy smaller ones if they're just going to be used in something like the paella above).

How to store live lobsters properly until you’re ready to cook

You may have bought your lobsters earlier than you intend to cook them and you’d like to know how to store them. Live lobsters may be kept in your refrigerator for one night. You can store them standing up, moist and cold.

The easiest approach to keeping lobsters active for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator is to place them in the coldest section with moist newspaper (or fresh seaweed). Refrain from attempting to use the freezer! Keep your lobsters in the shipping container or a loose paper bag.

Check on your lobsters occasionally. If the lobsters are still moving, you can put off cooking, but as soon as they start to move less or stop altogether, you should put them directly into the pot! 

How to prepare lobster

Before cooking your lobsters, freeze them for 15 to 20 minutes. This catches them off guard and also helps you cope with them a little bit better. Pick up a sizable baking sheet. It's helpful to have something to catch all the spilled fluids because this is a dirty operation. Keep the lobster claws' elastics in place. There's no need to add more stress to the situation by constantly being snapped at.

Put the lobster in a pan. Hold on tight, just behind the claws on the back. Place the point of your largest, sharpest knife at the area of the shell where it intersects in the form of a cross. The knife's blade should face the lobster's eyes. Cut between the lobster's eyes as quickly as possible by lowering the knife and following through with the blade. That concludes it; you are done. The lobster is currently dead, yet it will probably continue to move. These are involuntary muscular spasms.

Lobster cooking time

Lobsters come in many sizes, so you have to do a little maths to figure out how long it will take your lobster to cook. It takes about 10 minutes per pound of lobster. After that, it depends on the temperature and cooking method:

• If you're boiling lobster, it'll take about 12-14 minutes for a 1-2 lb. lobster, or 15-18 minutes for 2 1/4 lb. lobster;
• if you're steaming or poaching it, 7-8 minutes for a 1-2 lb. lobster or 8-10 minutes for a 2 1/4 lb.;
• and if you're roasting them, 6-7 minutes per pound.

How to cook lobster tail

Lobster can make an elegant meal, but it can also be intimidating to prepare if you’ve never done it before. Lobster tails are generally the most popular bit of the lobster to eat because they are the easiest to get to. Follow these simple steps on how to cook lobster tail, and you’ll be enjoying fresh, flavourful seafood in no time!

Once you get the hang of how to cook lobster, especially in this Aussie surf n turf recipe, you’ll look forward to preparing it again and again.

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
2. Add two tablespoons of salt and one tablespoon of lemon juice to the water.
3. Drop in the lobster tail, cover, and cook for five minutes before turning off the heat.
4. Let the lobster tail sit for another five minutes before removing from the pot to cool and serve with melted butter on top or your favourite dipping sauce.
5. If you are cooking a whole lobster, first bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat, add the lobsters headfirst into the boiling water, and cook until their shells turn bright red--about 12-15 minutes depending on size (or less if they are small). 

How to cook lobster tail in a pan

To cook lobster tails in a pan, you will need to start by heating the pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add some olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Place two lobster tails on one side of the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side (or until cooked through). You can use a meat thermometer to check that it has reached a temperature of 145 degrees F. Serve with melted butter and lemon slices if desired. You can also add a salad as a side.

How to cook lobster tail in oven

There are many ways to cook lobster, but the oven is an easy way to cook a lot of lobsters at once and keep them juicy. To cook lobster tails in oven, preheat your oven to 425°F. Rinse the lobster tails and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through and the shell has started to turn red. Serve hot with melted butter on top. Perhaps add French baguette to that and your favourite drink.

How to steam lobster

You will find that learning how to steam lobsters is by far the easiest way to cook them. Simply fill a pot with water, place a steamer insert on top of the pot, and add your lobster to the top of the insert. Bring it to a boil and steam for 10-12 minutes. It's best not to overcook it as this will cause it to become tough and chewy.

Remove the lobster from its shell before eating, season with salt and pepper, garlic powder or any other seasoning you like. Serve your lobster as part of a chowder or with some mac and cheese.

How to boil lobster

If you know how to boil lobster, you know you need a pot large enough to hold the lobster. Fill the pot with at least 4-6 inches of water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add a cup or two of salt to the water, this will help keep the lobster from becoming rubbery.

Once the water is boiling, carefully place your live lobsters into the pot and cover with a tight fitting lid. Turn off the heat and let them cook for 10-15 minutes (depending on size). You'll know they're done when they turn bright red.

You may need to add some more hot water during cooking if it cools down too much. Once they are done, try eating them with a potato salad or a coleslaw salad. As easy as that, you’ll have another recipe to add to your easy dinner for weekdays list.

How to cook frozen lobster

Cooking frozen lobster is very similar to cooking fresh lobster, but there are a few key differences. The first is that you need to thaw the lobster before cooking it. You can do this by placing it in the fridge overnight or submerging it in cold water. After thawing your lobster, follow the directions for cooking fresh lobster either by boiling, steaming, baking in the oven, or cooking it in the pan. Check out this list of salads that you can serve your lobster with. Corn is also a good accompaniment. 

Best way to cook lobster

The best way to cook lobster is to boil or bake them whole and then serve them with drawn butter and lemon wedges. If you have a large party, boiling the lobsters will keep more lobsters warm for longer periods of time. When cooking more than one lobster at a time, place them head to tail so they fit snugly together without much space between their bodies.

If they're not all going to be boiled together - either because some need finishing before others or because there isn't enough room - make sure they're placed on their backs side by side so as not to damage their antennae during transport. For this method, use a small bowl or deep plate large enough for each lobster and fill it halfway with water just below where the two halves meet.

Look at some of our favourite ways to enjoy lobster below:

• Lobster roll pasta salad
• Lobster mac and cheese
• Lobster bisque
• Lobster with summer fruit salad
• Lobster Thermidor