Fun fact: only 50% of live lobster purchasers actually know how to cook live them. If this is you, don’t worry! Follow our simple instructions below, and you’ll become the Executive Chef of your household in no time!
Storing Live Lobsters
Keeping your lobsters alive until you are ready to cook them is Step #1! Temperature and Moisture are important things to keep in mind when you get your lobster home. Please read the following “Do’s and Don’ts” to ensure that your lobsters will be good to go when the water is boiling!
Lobster Storage Do’s
- Put the entire box in your fridge. If there isn’t room then you may place them in a small container in the fridge.
- Keep Seaweed or Damp Newspaper on top of them when they are in the fridge
- Lobsters should be cooked the same day you buy them. If this isn’t the case, we recommend buying the larger 2# and bigger lobsters since they have a better chance of survival in the fridge
- 40 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for storage.
Lobster Storage Don’ts
- Do not put ice on the lobsters, fresh water kills lobsters.
- Do not put in the bath tub, fresh water kills lobsters.
- Do not leave your box in the sun or anywhere where this is a direct source of heat
Prepping Your Meal
Choose the Right Size Lobster Pot
Whether you steam or boil, pick a pot with lots of room. Do not crowd the lobsters in the pot as the heat will not circulate evenly around the lobsters. If you do not have a big pot, you may cook lobsters in batches, using a couple of pots. A 4-5 quart pot will work well for a couple small lobsters. A 20-quart pot will cook about 6 of the 1.5 lb. lobsters. The pot does not have to be heavy duty as water will actually boil faster in a lighter gauge metal pot.
How To Boil Live Lobster
We strongly recommend boiling lobsters. This is the easiest technique for beginners. The best way to boil is in water flavored with sea salt, in the water. The water actually adds weight to the lobster meat while some methods tend to dry out the lobster meat.
Lobster Boiling Instructions:
- Fill your lobster pot with water. Allow three quarts of water per 1.5 pounds of lobsters, they should be totally submerged in water.
- Add 1/4 cup of Sea Salt for each gallon of water. (4 quarts = 1 gallon). This adds significant flavor to the lobsters.
- Bring the salt water to a rolling boil.
- Put your live lobsters in one at a time using gloves or tongs. Do not cover.
- Stir the lobsters halfway through boiling. (cooking times below)
- Boiled lobsters will be bright red when done.
- Place boiled lobsters in cool water or let stand for 3-5 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy!
Live Lobster Boiling Times
Number of Live Lobster | Lobster Size | Boiling Time |
---|---|---|
2-6 | 1.0lb | 8 Minutes |
2-6 | 1.25lb | 9-10 Minutes |
2-6 | 1.5lb | 11-12 Minutes |
2-6 | 2.0lb | 15 Minutes |
2-6 | 2.5lb | 20 Minutes |
2-6 | 3.0lb | 25 Minutes |
How To Crack Open A Lobster In 8 Steps!
Lobster Cracking Instructions:
- Twist off the lobster claws.
- Crack each lobster claw and knuckle with a lobster cracker
- Separate the lobster tail from the body.
- Insert a fork and push the tail meat out in one piece.
- Remove the black vein which runs the length of the lobster tail.
- Extract the meat from the legs by biting down and squeezing the meat out with your teeth.
- Use your fork and find the meat in the lobster’s tail flippers.
- Try the tomalley (The green substance in the body). Some people consider this a delicacy.