Steaming Cooked Lobster: How Long Should You Wait?

Cooking lobster is an art, and if you don't get the timing just right, you might end up with a tough or chewy lobster. The good news is that steaming is a more gentle cooking technique that yields slightly more tender meat. It's also more forgiving when it comes to timing and it's harder to overcook a steamed lobster.

The time it takes to steam a lobster depends on its size. A good rule of thumb is to steam the lobster for about 10 minutes per pound. What you're looking for is a bright red colour across the whole lobster.

Steaming time depends on the lobster's size

Steaming is a more gentle cooking technique that yields slightly more tender meat. It's also more forgiving in terms of timing and it's harder to overcook a steamed lobster.

The time it takes to steam a lobster depends on the size of the lobster. A good rule of thumb is to steam the lobster for about 10 minutes per pound. What you're looking for is a bright red colour across the whole lobster. So, check the lobsters after 10 minutes and if they're not all red, keep checking back every 5 minutes or so until they're completely bright red.

Lobsters between 1 and 1.25 lbs will take 7-9 minutes to steam. For lobsters between 2 and 3 lbs, steaming will take 11-14 minutes.

If you're cooking multiple lobsters, it's important to open the lid halfway through the cooking process to rearrange them so they cook evenly. This accounts for individual lobster size, not total lobster size. Try to get lobsters that are similar in weight.

If you're unsure whether your lobsters are cooked, you can use an instant-read thermometer. Insert it into the underside of the tail, closest to the body. The internal temperature should be about 135-140 degrees F. It's important to note that lobsters will continue to cook even after you take them out of the pot, so if you're close to the target temperature, you may want to stop cooking a little early.

Remember, the key to successfully steaming lobsters is to ensure they have enough space in the pot and to keep an eye on the colour change.

Use a large pot with a steaming rack

Using a large pot with a steaming rack is a great way to cook lobster. This method is more forgiving in terms of timing and it's harder to overcook the lobster, resulting in slightly more tender meat.

First, you'll need to choose a pot that's large enough to hold all your lobsters comfortably. Don't crowd them. A 4- to 5-gallon pot can typically handle 6 to 8 pounds of lobsters.

Next, put 2 inches of water in the pot. You can use seawater or salted water. If you're by the ocean, it's recommended to use water straight from the source! Place a steaming rack inside the pot and bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.

Now, it's time to add the lobsters. Add the live lobsters one at a time, cover the pot, and start timing. Make sure to keep the bands on the claws to protect yourself. If you've already dispatched the lobsters, you can remove the bands before cooking.

Halfway through the cooking process, carefully lift the lid and shift the lobsters around to ensure even cooking. Be cautious of the hot steam when you lift the lid.

The cooking time will depend on the weight of your lobsters. As a general rule, steam the lobsters for about 10 minutes per pound. However, it's important to check the lobsters regularly, as they may be done sooner. The lobsters are ready when they turn a bright red colour and the meat is no longer translucent but has turned white with red markings.

Once the lobsters are cooked to your liking, remove them from the pot using tongs and let them rest until they are cool enough to handle, about 5 minutes.

And that's it! You now have perfectly steamed lobsters to enjoy. Serve them with some melted butter and lemon wedges for a delicious treat.

Add 2-3 inches of water and salt

When steaming lobster, it's important to add 2-3 inches of water to your pot, along with a generous amount of salt. If you're lucky enough to be cooking your lobster by the ocean, use seawater straight from the source! If not, regular water with a healthy dose of sea salt will do the trick. You can also add in some seaweed for extra flavour.

The amount of water you add is important because it ensures that there's enough to generate steam without risking boiling over. Steaming is a gentler, slower method of cooking lobster than boiling, which makes it a great option if you plan on serving whole lobster for a sit-down dinner. It's also less messy than boiling, as it reduces the chance of a boilover.

When steaming lobster, it's important to use a large pot—a 4-5 gallon pot can handle 6 to 8 pounds of lobster. Place a steaming rack inside the pot, or use a vegetable steamer rack or an upside-down colander if you don't have a steamer basket. This isn't strictly necessary, but it will keep the lobsters from getting charred on the bottom of the pot.

Once you've added your water and salt, crank up the heat and bring the water to a rolling boil. Then, carefully add your lobsters to the pot, cover, and start timing. For the first pound of lobster, steam for about 8 minutes, then add 4 minutes for each additional pound. Check that your lobsters are done by looking for a bright red shell and white meat.

Bring water to a boil

To steam a lobster, you'll need to begin by adding water to a large pot or kettle. The amount of water required depends on the number of lobsters you plan to cook, but generally, you'll want to add enough water to cover the lobsters by at least 2-3 inches. If you're using a steamer basket, ensure that the water level is below the basket. For added flavour, you can use seawater or add a generous amount of sea salt to the water.

Once you've added the water, place the pot on a burner and turn the heat up to high. You want to bring the water to a rolling boil, so be sure that your burner is set to the maximum temperature. This process may take several minutes, depending on the amount of water and the strength of your stove.

While you're waiting for the water to boil, you can prepare the lobsters. It's recommended to place the lobsters in the freezer for 15-20 minutes beforehand to sedate them. This is considered a more humane way to prepare them for cooking. If you're using rubber bands to restrain the claws, it's best to keep them on during cooking to protect yourself. However, some sources suggest removing the bands before cooking, as they may impart an off taste to the water and the lobster.

By the time your lobsters are ready, the water should be at a rolling boil. Now, carefully add the lobsters to the pot, placing them headfirst into the water. Cover the pot with a tightly fitting lid, as this will help to retain the steam and ensure even cooking.

With the lobsters in the pot, you can begin timing the cooking process. The cooking time will depend on the size of your lobsters, but as a rule of thumb, you'll want to steam them for about 10 minutes per pound. For example, a 1.5-pound lobster will take around 8-10 minutes to cook, while a larger 2-pound lobster may take up to 13 minutes.

Keep an eye on the pot during cooking, and be sure to maintain a vigorous boil. If you're cooking multiple lobsters, it's a good idea to open the lid halfway through the cooking process and rearrange them to ensure even cooking.

Add lobsters, cover, and start timing

Once you've filled a large pot with 2-3 inches of water and brought it to a rolling boil, it's time to add the lobsters. Carefully drop in your lobsters, cover the pot with a tightly fitting lid, and start your timer.

If you're steaming multiple lobsters, you can add as many lobsters as your pot will allow, but make sure that the lid is sealed tightly. Halfway through the cooking time, carefully lift the lid and shift the lobsters around so that they cook evenly.

The cooking time will depend on the weight of the lobsters. As a general rule, lobsters will take around 8 minutes per pound to steam. For example, a 1-pound lobster will take around 8 minutes to cook, while a 2-pound lobster will take around 13 minutes. It's important to note that lobsters have varying weights, so be sure to check the weight of each lobster before adding them to the pot.

Keep in mind that the cooking time may also depend on the time of year. In the winter, lobsters have harder shells and may require a little more cooking time. In the summertime, lobsters have softer shells and may need less time to cook.

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