Now this one was one fun meal. Our first time cooking that famous Maine Lobster. Cook a restaurant worthy Lobster meal right in your home without spending fortune. When cooked perfectly, the lobster is tender, juicy, and downright irresistible, especially dipped in clarified butter. With a few simple tips, you’ll nail it every time. We’ll show you how! 🦞
Our Maine Lobster feast was a highlight of our Thanksgiving trip to Maine last week! Even after living in America for years, this iconic delicacy had always escaped me. I had a chance to try it in Florida over a decade ago, but it didn’t happen. Fast forward 12 years, and I finally got to experience the magic of this sea treasure that I’d admired in countless magazines and cookbooks. It was well worth the wait!
During our 10-day visit to Maine, we indulged in seafood every way imaginable at local restaurants. From buttery lobster rolls and creamy lobster mac and cheese to seafood pies and classic Maine specialties like clam chowder, steamers, and mussels, we tried it all! By the end of our trip, we knew we had to cook our very own lobster feast in our Airbnb kitchen. With lobster pounds on nearly every corner, it was easy to pick out a couple of impressive ones. The star of the show? Jack, the Lobster – the name Noah gave to our giant, nearly 4-pound lobster!
Alpana’s Tips
I’ll share the exact cooking instructions in the recipe card below, but here are a few tips and tricks for picking and cooking Maine Lobster:
1. Look for liveliness: Choose lobsters that are live, active and feisty when handled. A sluggish lobster may not be as fresh.
2. Shell type: Soft shells are easier to crack, but hard shells have more meat.
3. Local picks: Buy from reputable lobster pounds for the freshest catch.
4. Boiling: Use a large pot of salted water (like seawater) to mimic their natural habitat. Boil for about 8-10 minutes for a 1.5-pound lobster, adding 2-3 minutes for every additional pound.
5. Steaming: Fill a pot with 1-2 inches of salted water and place a steaming rack or basket above the waterline. Steam for 10-12 minutes for a 1.5-pound lobster, adding 2-3 minutes per additional pound.
6. Clarify the butter: Melt butter slowly, skim off the foam, and pour out the clear liquid, leaving milk solids behind for the ultimate dipping sauce.
7. Chill before cracking: After cooking, let the lobster cool slightly for easier handling. A quick dip in ice water can help stop overcooking.
8. Don’t overcook: The MOST IMPORTANT RULE OF THUMB when it comes to cooking any kind of lobster. The meat should be firm but not rubbery. You don’t want tough and rubbery flavorless meat, so stick to cooking times carefully.
Serving Suggestions
Classic Pairings
- Clarified butter: Serve warm in small bowls for dipping every juicy bite.
- Lemon wedges: A squeeze of fresh lemon adds a bright, zesty flavor.
- Garlic bread: Buttery, garlicky bread is perfect for soaking up all the lobster juices.
Side Dishes
- Corn on the cob: Sweet, juicy corn pairs wonderfully with lobster’s rich flavor. Plus, it’s a great excuse for more butter!
- Coleslaw: A creamy or tangy slaw adds a refreshing crunch.
- Roasted potatoes: Crispy, herb-seasoned potatoes make a hearty and satisfying side.
- Steamed greens: Simple options like asparagus, green beans or broccoli balance the meal.
Seafood Feast Add-ons
- Clam chowder: Start the meal with a warm, comforting bowl of this classic soup. Homemade is so much better, try our easy Clam Chowder recipe.
- Steamers or mussels: Keep the seafood theme going with these tasty additions.
- Lobster rolls: Use leftovers (if any!) to whip up quick and delicious lobster rolls the next day.
We followed all the instructions to the letter and ended up with a juicy, sweet, and tender meal that we’ll cherish for years. Cooking a huge Maine lobster shouldn’t feel intimidating, it’s a fun and memorable dinner experience when you get it just right. Let us know how it turns out for your family, we love hearing success stories from the kitchen!
More great seafood recipes:
Shrimp Etouffee
Cioppino
Teriyaki Salmon
Finnish Salmon Soup
Fried Catfish
Shrimp and Grits
Oyster Stew
Maine Lobster
If you want a seafood feast, Maine Lobster is the only way to go! It's the ultimate special occasion meal.
Ingredients
- Maine lobster
- salted water
Instructions
- In a large pot, salt water generously (about ¼ cup of salt per gallon of water). Bring to a boil.
- Add live lobsters to boiling water. Cook for about 10-12 minutes for a 1.5 pound lobster, adding 2-3 minutes per additional pound. A little tip we picked up, try plucking off one of the antennas. If the lobster is done, it should come off easily. If it doesn't keep cooking a minute or two.
- Serve with melted butter, preferably clarified.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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