Learn how to boil lobster in salted water and a trick on how to cook live lobster humanely. This Easy boiled lobster recipe came out delicious served with lemon garlic butter dipping sauce. It is the best holiday dish to have on your dinner table this year.
At the local market, I spotted some live, wild-caught Maine lobsters. They were big and priced right… next thing I know I’m home boiling them in a salted boil water. The cooking process for boiled lobsters is so simple and the result is amazing!
Boiling lobster is a little quicker and the meat comes out of the shell more readily that when steamed.
My husband and kids were pretty surprised to see me cooking up lobster but definitely enjoyed them for lunch.
I often think of lobster as fine dining or something that I should be cooking up only when having special dinner guests. After cooking them on a whim so quickly and with such little effort I can definitely foresee us having more lobster lunches in the near future!
With lobster’s higher sodium and cholesterol levels it’s not something you should consume every day. Lobster does, however, act as a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It’s good to strike up a conversation with the people at your markets to learn where your seafood is sourced from, and any other additional information they’re willing to share.
How to Buy Lobster:
Keep in mind that one market may have better fish while another may have better shellfish. Being in a coastal city we sometimes have seafood vendors at our local farmer's markets, but they’re often times sold out within the first hour or two.
- Stay clear from sleeper lobsters. Sleeper lobster are live lobsters that may be near death and barely move.
- Choose hard-shell lobsters because they have more meat and better texture
- For bigger claws, choose male lobsters. However, if you love the roe, go for female lobsters.
- Buy a live lobster the day you intend to cook it. Don't wait to too long or for more than 36 hours.
- Fall is one of the best times of year to buy high quality hard-shell lobsters.
How Much Lobster Per Person?
You should plan on about 1¼ - 1½ pound lobster per person.
How to Cook Live Lobster Humanely
Option 1. Put the live lobster in a freezer for about 30 minutes without freezing it before cooking. This action will put put the lobster to sleep.
Option 2. Put it head first into the water so the lobster will die quickly.
Option 3. Place the tip of a sharp knife right between the eyes to kill the lobster instantly.
How to Boil A Lobster:
- Pick a large pot. If you do not have a big pot, cook lobsters in batches. Use an 8-quart pot to cook one lobster, or a 16-quart pot for 2-3 lobsters.
- Fill a large pot with 1 gallon of water per lobster, or enough to cover the lobster with at least two inches of water.
- Add about 2-3 teaspoon of sea salt per quart of water.
- Bring water to a boil over high heat then place the lobster into the pot, headfirst. Cover the pot tightly.
- Cook for about 7-9 minutes for a 1 ¼ lb lobster or 9-11 minutes for a 1 ½ lb lobster. Do not overcook or the meat will become tough!
- Remove the lobster immediately from the pot to stop the cooking process, then set aside to cool in an ice bath.
Hope you'd enjoy this easy boiled lobster recipe, served with delicious lemon garlic butter.
Check Out More Seafood Recipes:
- EASY SQUID PASTA WITH MARINARA SAUCE
- EASY FISH CHOWDER RECIPE
- CANNED TUNA PASTA - WITH RECIPE VIDEO 🎥
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! I'd appreciate it.
📖 Recipe
Easy Boiled Lobster with Lemon Garlic Butter Dip Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lobster, (per person, average 1¼ - 1½ pounds each)
- water
- salt
Garlic Butter:
- 1 stick butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon freshly chopped Italian parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Boil the Lobster:
- Pick a large pot, if you do not have one, cook lobsters in batches.
- Fill a large pot with 1 gallon of water per lobster, or enough to cover the lobster with at least two inches of water. Add about add 2-3 of sea salt for each quart of water. The water should taste salty like seawater.
- Bring water to a boil over high heat.
- Place the lobster into the pot, headfirst, completely submerging them and cook for about 7-9 minutes for a 1 ¼ lb lobster or 9-11 minutes for a 1 ½ lb lobster. Cover the pot tightly. When properly cooked, lobster meat is a creamy white color all the way through with no translucent areas.
- Remove the lobster immediately from the pot to stop the cooking process, then set aside to cool in an ice bath.
Garlic Butter:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, parsley, chives, and lemon juice then quickly remove from the heat. Strain before serving if needed.
Valerie Ratliff says
This looks delicious. I haven''t had Lobster in years. My hubby won't eat it.
Bonnie Gowen says
Great recipe! My mom loves Lobster. I should make this for her soon.
DL says
Good recipe and it was easy to follow.. 5 star, Thanks for the note on how to go about things humanely.
How about a crab legs recipe now?
Annebakerim says
I often go to your site to read a new recipe, thanks for teaching me how to cook delicious and healthy food.
Rika Livingston says
I am so glad to hear that!
Max Payne says
Thanks for teaching me how to cook delicious and healthy food.
Rika Livingston says
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Max!