The Seafood News
Tips & Tricks: How to Cook a Fresh Maine Lobster in 4 Steps
You’re the Chef: How to Cook Fresh Maine Lobster at Home in Four Steps
Steaming fresh Maine lobsters in your own kitchen, backyard or out on the beach is a great way to entertain friends and family when you’ve grown tired of the traditional barbeque. Knowing how to cook fresh Maine lobster is a craft, and fortunately, at Weathervane Seafood Restaurants we’ve perfected the art. We love serving them to our guests all year long and are pleased to offer you the tips and tricks on how to enjoy the lobster bake experience at home too! So here are our instructions on how to cook lobsters:
- Pour one quart of water into a large cooking pot, and salt the water to taste.
- Place the pot (covered) on your stove on high heat, or over your fireplace or open fire.
- When steam begins to escape from the pot, carefully remove the lid and drop in your lobsters, being cautious to avoid splashing the hot water. Replace the lid. The lobsters do not need to be completely submerged in the water, as the steam will thoroughly cook everything in a pot when the pot is covered.
- Once the water returns to a boil, you can time the cooking according to the chart below.
Lobster Cooking Times:
| Weight | Boil Time |
| 1 to 1¼ lbs. lobsters | 10-15 minutes |
| 1½ to 2 lbs. lobsters | 15-20 minutes |
| 2¼ to 4 lbs. lobsters | 20-25 minutes |
Once the time is up, you should remove the pot from the heat. Then, using tongs, remove lobsters, being careful to avoid scalding yourself. The lobsters and juice will be very hot, so allow a couple of minutes for cooling.
Your lobsters are now ready to enjoy! All that’s left is to decide if you’d like to serve them whole, or break them apart and remove the meat onto a platter. If you’re unsure how to eat a lobster, we’ve posted easy to follow instructions for you on our blog: How to Eat a Fresh Maine Lobster. Or, should you choose to eat your lobsters later, cooked lobsters will keep in your refrigerator for several days.
For more tips, local marine-related news and seafood recipes, stay connected with Weathervane’s blog or browse our menu and come join us for New England’s favorite seafood!
