Servings
Font
Back
4.2 from 66 votes

Whole Steamed Lobster

How to humanely kill a live lobster, how to steam lobster, how long to cook a lobster by pound and step-by-step images for eating whole lobster!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 1
Calories: 245 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pound lobster
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • water
  • 12 ounces beer , white wine or champagne*
  • clarified butter , for dipping

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Find a large, high pot about 4-5 gallons. A large stock pot or even a turkey frying pot will work. Fill the bottom with about 2-3 inches of water or other liquid options and kosher salt.
  2. Place a steam basket or steaming rack at the bottom. Bring the water to a boil. If you are putting live lobsters into the pot, keep the bands on its claws to protect yourself. If you stab them first, you can remove the bands before cooking. See notes above on how to do this.
  3. When boiling, add the lobsters, head first into the pot, and cover. Cook for 10 minutes plus 2 minutes for every quarter pound of lobster.
  4. If cooking multiples and one is more on top than the other, make sure to open halfway through the cooking to rearrange them so they cook evenly. This accounts individual lobster size, not total lobster size. Try to get lobster that are similar in weight.
  5. Remove and allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve with a side of clarified butter for dipping.
  6. If you've tried this technique come back and let us know how it went in the comments or ratings!

Notes

  • Using alcohol, whether it be beer, wine or sparkling wine is totally optional. It can result in sweeter meat and the alcohol will burning off while cooking. If you omit this, add more water to the pot.

Nutrition Information

Calories 245kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 242mg (81%) Sodium 7796mg (325%) Potassium 452mg (13%) Sugar 1g (2%) Calcium 174mg (17%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 245

% Daily Value*

Calories 245kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 242mg 81%
Sodium 7796mg 325%
Potassium 452mg 10%
Sugar 1g 2%
Calcium 174mg 17%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.