How to Steam Lobster

If you want to preserve the natural salty flavoring of your fresh Maine lobster, and the decadently tender texture to its meat, I suggest you learn how to steam lobster - the easiest way to cook lobster!

This method is so easy that off the coast of Maine...

...it is a customary sight to see people steaming lobster on the stern of their boat...

...or back on land, heating a lobster pot over an open fire.

At my house, we just love balmy summer nights when we can steam fresh Maine lobster right on the grill!

Although instructions to steam lobster are very similar to those used for cooking boiled lobster, there are differences.

Differences not only in the lobster cooking method, but also in the texture and taste of the cooked lobster meat.

Steaming requires only a small amount of water...

...compared to the nearly full pot of water needed for boiling lobster.

Therefore, steamed lobsters do not absorb lots of water, which can dilute the great saltwater taste.

Through it's moisture, the steaming process also helps keep lobster meat very tender.

Another benefit of learning how to steam lobster - particularly if this is your first foray into cooking lobster - is that lobster cooking time is more forgiving with steaming than with many other lobster cooking methods.

Steaming Lobster

Basically, if you have a large pot, water, and sea salt (oh, and of course a lobster or two)...

...either hard shell lobster or soft shell lobster...

...you are ready to learn how to steam lobster. Cooking steamed lobster really is that easy!

The pot size will depend on how many lobster you are cooking.

If you plan on serving one to three lobsters, most likely you already have a pot, or kettle, in your kitchen that is large enough to hold them.

You do NOT need a lobster pot for steaming lobster!

Yes, a traditional lobster pot can add to the ambiance when cooking fresh seafood, but for the most part, any aluminum pan that retains heat well, will suffice.

More important than the type of pot you are using, is to make sure that you are using one with a lid that fits snuggly. You don't want to lose precious steam.

Do you have a lot of lobsters to steam? Cooking them in multiple pots or in batches can work well.

Just like boiled lobster, steamed lobster holds its heat well. You can set your cooked crustaceans off to the side while you prepare a second batch.

Steamed Lobster Recipe

There is just one caveat in learning how to steam lobster. Since you will be cooking live lobster, you may feel a little quessy - as many people do.

However, there is an alternative to putting live lobster in water...

...which is considered a humane way to kill lobster. To make the cooking the process more tolerable, you can...

1. Put the lobster in the freezer for 20 minutes before cooking. This produces numbness and slows the lobster's movements.
2. Remove lobster from the freezer. Place it on its back (shell side down) on a cutting board. To catch run-off fluids, place a rimmed cooking sheet under the cutting board.
3. Using a sharp chef's knife, insert the tip below the claws and slice downward through the lobster's head.

I know! I don't think this is all that humane either! However, congratulations, you are now ready to learn how to steam lobster.

Steam Lobster Recipe
Servings: 1 lobster per person (or more, if you love them like I do!)
Preparation Time: See lobster steaming time table below.

1. Cover the bottom of a lobster pot (or substitute post) with 1-2 inches of seawater or saltwater.
2. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
3. Place live (or freshly killed) lobster in the pot's steaming basket, or if it does not have a basket, place the lobster directly into the pot.
4. Cover the pot tightly and begin timing. Halfway through the lobster cooking time remove the lid (be extremely careful as piping hot steam will escape) and move lobster around to ensure they are cooking evenly. Return lid to the pot.
5. For steamed lobster cooking time instructions, see below...

Time for steaming lobster...

When learning how to steam lobster you will also need to know how to tell if a lobster is cooked. The rule of thumb is...

...lobster is cooked once the shell turns from a shade of brown, to orange or red. However, it is the lobster meat that is the true indicator as to whether or not a lobster cooked thoroughly.

If the meat is white, you have cooked lobster. If the lobster meat is still translucent, you have an undercooked or uncooked lobster.

Serving suggestions: Serve hot with melted butter, or clarified butter, and lemon wedges - serving either the whole lobster, or only the broken off claws and tail. Either way...

...don't forget to bring nutcrackers and picks to the table! Oh yes, and a lobster bib, if you must (but doesn't that take some of the fun out of eating lobster!)

The best lobster side dishes for steam lobster are the simplest.

From lobster shacks to gourmet restaurants...

...corn on the cob and coleslaw are most commonly served with steamed Maine lobster, but a fresh garden salad, potato salad or a baked potato, also work well. Whatever you do, you don't want to distract taste buds from the flavor of the lobster meat.

Now that you know how to steam lobster, you are also ready to begin preparing other awesome lobster meals, with...

Lobster Meat Recipes