Steam Cooking Lobster: A Simple, Quick, And Delicious Guide

Cooking a lobster can be intimidating, especially if you've never handled one before. But steaming is a gentle cooking technique that yields slightly more tender meat and makes it harder to overcook your lobster. It also preserves a little more flavour and is more forgiving on the timing front. It's also less messy than boiling, as you're not left with a big pot of boiling water.

Preparing the lobster: sedate the lobster by placing it in the freezer for 15-30 minutes

Preparing the lobster humanely is an important step in the cooking process. One way to do this is to sedate the lobster by placing it in the freezer for 15 to 30 minutes. This will help the lobster to drift into a numb sleep before cooking.

To do this, place the live lobster in its market bag in the freezer, ensuring the temperature is set between 35º and 45ºF. Leave the lobster in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes, or up to 30 minutes if you want to be extra cautious. This will render the lobster insensible, making it easier to handle and ensuring it doesn't suffer when it is cooked.

After this time, the lobster can be placed into the pot of boiling water, or you can kill it using a chef's knife before steaming. Some people prefer to skip this step and place the lobster straight into boiling water, but this may not be as humane.

Sedating the lobster in the freezer is a good option if you want to ensure the lobster is dead before cooking, but don't want to risk undercooking it by placing it straight into boiling water. It's also a good method if you're nervous about handling a live lobster, as it will be less active after being chilled.

Use a large pot: a 4-5 gallon pot can handle 6-8 pounds of lobsters

When preparing to steam cook a lobster, it is important to use a pot that is large enough to fit all the lobsters comfortably without crowding them. A 4-5 gallon pot can handle 6-8 pounds of lobsters. If you are cooking for a crowd, you can scale up the recipe, but make sure there is enough room in the pot for the steam to move around the lobsters.

For a 4-5 gallon pot, you will need to put 2 inches of water in the bottom of the pot, along with some salt. You can use seawater or salted water. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. You can also add seaweed for extra flavour.

Once the water is boiling, add the live lobsters one at a time, cover the pot, and start timing. Make sure there is some room between the lobsters and the lid to allow for steam to circulate. For even cooking, it is important to rotate the lobsters halfway through the cooking process.

The cooking time will depend on the weight of the lobsters. As a guide, a 1-pound lobster will take about 10 minutes to steam, while a 2-pound lobster will take 12-18 minutes. A 3-pound lobster will take 18-25 minutes.

Add water: fill the pot with 1-2 inches of water and a little salt

When steaming lobster, it's important to add enough water to your pot to generate steam, but not so much that the lobster is partially submerged. The general rule is to fill the pot with 1-2 inches of water. If you're using tap water, add a little salt to enhance the flavor of the meat. You can also add seaweed for extra flavor.

If you're using a steamer basket, place it inside the pot before adding the water. This will keep the lobsters above the water line, ensuring they cook evenly and preventing them from sitting in the boiling water.

Once you've added the water and salt, crank up the heat and wait for the water to come to a rolling boil. This will ensure your lobsters cook through properly.

When the water is boiling vigorously, it's time to add the lobsters. Carefully place them into the pot, taking care not to burn yourself. Cover the pot with a lid to trap the steam inside. This will help ensure even cooking.

Throughout the steaming process, keep an eye on the water level. If necessary, add a little more water to maintain the desired level. You don't want the water to completely boil off, as this will affect the cooking process and may damage your pot.

Remember, the key to successfully steaming lobster is maintaining a balance of steam and heat. By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious, perfectly cooked meal.

Steam the lobster: place the lobsters in the pot, cover, and steam for 8-14 minutes depending on their size

Now that you've selected your lobsters and prepared them for cooking, it's time to steam them to perfection. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your lobsters turn out just right:

Step 1: Prepare the Steamer

Gather your equipment: a large pot or kettle, preferably with a capacity of 4 to 5 gallons, and a steaming rack or basket (optional). Fill the pot with 1 to 2 inches of water—seawater or salted water is best. Bring this to a rolling boil over high heat. You can also add some seaweed for extra flavour.

Step 2: Steam the Lobsters

Using tongs, carefully place the lobsters into the pot, adding them one at a time. Cover the pot with a lid to trap the steam inside. Set a timer according to the size of your lobsters. As a rule of thumb, allow 8 minutes for the first pound and an additional 4 minutes for each extra pound. For example, a 2-pound lobster will take around 12-18 minutes. Remember that cooking times may vary depending on factors like the heat of the steam and your altitude.

Step 3: Check for Doneness

After steaming, carefully remove the lobsters from the pot using tongs and set them aside to rest for a few minutes. The lobsters will turn bright red when cooked, but this isn't always a reliable indicator, especially for larger lobsters. For a more accurate test, crack open one of the lobsters where the carapace meets the tail. If the meat has turned from translucent to white, it's done. Alternatively, try the antenna test: if the antenna pulls off easily, the lobster is likely cooked through.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Lobster is often served with melted butter and lemon wedges on the side. You can also try dipping the lobster meat in a mixture of equal parts melted butter and lemon juice. Don't forget to provide plenty of napkins or bibs, as it can get a little messy!

Rest the lobster: let the lobster rest for 5 minutes before serving

Resting the lobster is an important step in the cooking process. Once you have steamed your lobster, remove it from the pot with tongs and let it rest for about five minutes. The lobster will still be cooking during this time, so be sure not to leave it for too long.

After the lobster has rested, you can serve it whole or separate the claws, knuckles, and tail by pulling them apart from the body. To get to the tail meat, lay the tail flat on a sturdy surface and press against the middle of it to crack the shell. Before serving, check to make sure all the shells have been removed.

Lobster is best served hot from the shell, dipped in melted butter with a squeeze of lemon. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions