How to Steam Live Lobster Like a Pro

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When you think of cooking lobsters, your brain probably thinks of boiling lobsters in a large pot of bubbling water. That’s one of the most common cooking methods because it tends to be quicker and a little easier to accomplish. However, boiling lobsters can also make them cook a lot faster. If you’re not careful, it can lead to overcooked lobsters that are chewier and less flavorful than their steamed counterparts.

Steamed lobster allows for a slower cook, which can preserve the flavor you know and love and give the meat the right texture. Steaming lobsters will take a little more time and skill than boiling, but it’s a relatively easy cooking method to master quickly.

How Do You Steam Lobster?

Steaming lobster is a method you’ll use for live lobsters. This process will be the same whether you want to know how to steam multiple lobsters or just one. You’ll need a pot large enough to hold a few inches of water with a steaming insert on top that accommodates your lobster.

Fill the large pot with two or three inches of cold water and add two tablespoons of sea salt for every lobster you’ll steam. Add the steaming insert to the pot, making sure that the water doesn’t touch the insert.

Bring the water to a rolling boil. Add each animal, one at a time, to the steaming insert in one layer (no piling!). Place a lid over the pan.

How Long Does It Take to Steam a Lobster?

Knowing how long to steam lobster is the most crucial part of the process. As little as a minute of too much cooking time can result in some overcooked meat. The time will vary depending on how many pounds of lobsters you have in your pot. You can follow these general guidelines for the best idea of how long to keep them cooking:

  • 1 lb.: 10 minutes
  • 1 ½ lbs.: 14 minutes
  • 2 lbs.: 18 minutes
  • 2 ½ lbs.: 22 minutes
  • 3 lbs.: 26 minutes

About halfway through the recommended time, remove the lid and, using oven mitts and tongs, move the animals around to ensure an even cook. Replace the lid and continue cooking.

As a rule, every ½ pound after 1 pound of lobster increases the time by about 4 minutes. Once the time’s up, check them. One of the best indicators that the animals are done cooking is their color. They should be a bright red. You can also crack open one animal where the body meets the tail to check the meat. The meat should be white instead of translucent.

Conclusion: The Perfect Steamed Lobster
Congratulations – you now know how to steam multiple lobsters and have another way to cook these delicacies up your sleeve. Steaming is one of the best cooking methods to practice so that your fresh lobsters from Maine Lobster House taste just like you expected. Enjoy!