Three Ways to Cook Lobster
In water
This method is ideal for cooking lobster meat for a salad or a roll.
- Bring heavily salted water to a boil in a large pot. Remove the rubber bands from the lobster's claws and immerse it in water, head-first with the tail folded below it.
- Calculate the cooking time, which varies according to the sex and weight of the lobster, from the moment the water starts to boil again. Use this cooking time chart as a reference.
- Once the lobster is cooked, immerse it in a bowl of cold water for a few moments to stop the cooking process.
| Lobster weight |
Cooking time |
|
Male |
Female |
| 335g (¾ lb) |
8 min |
10 min |
| 450g to 560g (1 to 1¼ lb) |
10 min |
12 min |
| 675g (1½ lb) |
14 min |
16 min |
| 900g (2 lb) |
16 min |
20 min |
| 1.35kg (3 lb) |
18 min |
23 min and more |
| 1.8kg (4 lb) |
20 min |
24 min and more |
On the barbecue
To ensure even cooking, the barbecue is best for small lobsters (less than 450 g or 1 lb), especially at the end of the season when lobster meat is less sweet. It will really benefit from the caramelization it gets from the grill.
- Preheat the barbecue to medium heat and oil the grill.
- Place the lobster (live or blanched) on a work surface. Stick the tip of a knife on the cross behind the lobster's head so that it pierces the shell. Cut lengthwise in half, first towards the head, then towards the tail. Remove the pocket of caviar that is under the eyes, as well as the intestines.
- Brush the meat with butter or melted garlic butter and drizzle with a little lemon juice. Place the lobsters on the grill, flesh side up, and cook a raw lobster covered for 7 to 10 minutes, and a blanched lobster covered for 5 to 8 minutes.
Steamed
Popular with connoisseurs, steaming preserves the delicate flavour of the lobster meat. Use this method for lobsters over 450 g (1 lb) served whole.
- In a covered pot, bring 2.5 cm (1 in.) of water with 10 mL (2 teaspoons) of salt to a boil.
- Remove the rubber bands from the lobster claws and place it in the pan head first with the tail folded under it. Cover.
- Calculate 12 minutes of cooking time per pound (450 g) of lobster for a male and 14 minutes for a female. Add 90 seconds for every additional half pound (225 g).
Prepared for you
Want to save time or avoid the hassle? Have your lobster cooked and shelled before picking it up at the grocery store.