You’ve gone and done it. You placed your order for the Maine event, and your live lobster is on the way. While there are several options for cooking your whole lobster, have you considered broiling it?
Steaming lobster and boiling lobster might be popular cooking methods, but something magic happens to the sweet, succulent meat of lobster as it basks under the heat of the broiler. Read on to learn both how to broil lobster and also why this method might be right for you.
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Why Broil Lobster?
Unlike steaming or boiling, where the whole lobsters are cooked in their shells, broiling lobster allows you to expose the meat to high heat. This lightly caramelizes the meat, creating that almost grilled crisp bite and concentrating the flavor. This is a great method to utilize if you want that grilled flavor if you do not own a grill, or if the weather has other plans for your lobster grilling adventures. In addition, this method is also faster as it cooks the lobster at a higher temperature.
This is also a great option to make the work a little easier on yourself and those feasting on this delicacy of the sea. While it is fun to turn cracking open lobsters into an event, there are times when you want your lobsters already split, cleaned, and ready to serve directly from oven to table.
If you only have one or two lobsters, this might be an option to consider. Besides your oven, the only equipment required is a large sheet pan or roasting pan. However, if you are cooking multiple lobsters or whole lobsters larger than 2 pounds, we recommend that you either boil or steam your lobster. Larger lobsters will singe before the meat is cooked all the way through.
Just like baking lobster, broiling lobster allows you to add flavor at the very beginning of the cooking process. You can keep it simple by brushing the exposed flesh with olive oil and seasoning with your favorite seasonings, or you can brush a flavor-infused melted butter on it. We love lemon butter with broiled lobster. The flavor combinations are endless!
If you’re looking for ideas on how to broil lobster tails, here’s a sassy and spicy one we love: Turn the Heat Up: Broiled Lobster Tails with Jalapeno Butter.
What Size Lobsters Are Best for Broiling?
Broiling is a great way to cook whole lobsters in the oven, but be careful since the tail can dry out quickly. Try to stick with good-sized lobsters. Smaller lobsters under 1 1/2 lbs. will dry out quickly, and lobsters too big, over 2.5 lbs., will not cook properly because most home ovens do not produce enough heat.
Allow one good-sized lobster, 1 1/2 to 2.5 lb. large live lobster per person. Learn more about what size lobsters to get.
It’s important to understand how to handle your live lobster before broiling. Be sure to check out our comprehensive guide.
What You Need to Broil Whole Lobster
One of the great things about broiling lobster is that you don’t need anything special. Even if you’re like the rest of us and have lost the broiling pan that came with your oven a long time ago, this is still a fuss-free way to cook lobster.
- Sheet pan, roasting pan, or broiling pan that will accommodate your split lobster without crowding it.
- Sharp knife to split the lobster
- Mallet to crack the claws
See all the lobster tools of the trade for cooking up live lobsters.
Lobster Broling Times
Begin timing as soon as the lobsters are placed in the preheated broiler. You’ll need to remove the pan halfway through the broiling to bake (less than 1 minute). Reverse the direction of the pan before putting it back in the broiler.
| Lobster Size | Broiling Cooking Times |
|---|---|
| 1.5 pounds | 8-10 minutes |
| 1.75 pounds | 11 minutes |
| 2 pounds | 13 minutes |
| 2.5 pounds | 16-17 minutes |
If you plan on cooking larger lobsters, please refer to either our guide on How to Boil Lobster or How to Stream Lobster.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Broil Lobster
How long do you broil lobsters?
This will fully depend on the size of your lobster. Generally, 1.5-2 pound lobsters will broil for 8-13 minutes, but you will want to check the temperature of the meat and ensure it is perfect. You will want to watch the color of your lobster. The flesh will turn white and golden. It should take 10-15 minutes. We have a handy chart that explains the best times for broiling live lobsters.
How do I broil lobsters in the oven?
We recommend humanely killing the lobster in boiling water. You will turn the lobster on its back and crack the shell to ensure steam can escape, and then take steps to clean the Roe and rest from the lobster before broiling.
Do broiling lobsters work?
Yes! Broiling lobsters is a great method for cooking lobsters if yours are big enough. The main concern with broiling is that the tail can dry out from the heat, but with proper time management, it’s no problem and leaves for a delicious meal.
What size lobsters should I broil?
We recommend this method of cooking for lobsters that are between 1.5 pounds and two to three pounds.
What internal temperature do I cook lobster to?
We recommend you cook your lobster to 135-140 degrees. Be careful not to overcook.
What are the advantages of broiling lobster?
Broiling lightly caramelizes the meat while intensifying the natural flavors. In addition, the cleaning and prep are done at the front half of cooking, making this a great oven-to-table option.
What should I broil my lobster in?
To broil lobster, you only need a sheet pan, roasting pan, or the broiler pan that came with your oven.
How to Broil Lobster
With just a little prep at the beginning to break down your whole lobster, broiling lobster is fast and easy method to cook lobster.
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 4 Live Whole Lobsters from 1.5 to 2 lbs.
- Fresh Lemon
- Butter or Olive Oil
- Favorite rub or spice blend
Instructions
- Break Down the Lobster. After humanely dispatching your lobster, lay it on its back. With a very sharp knife starting at the head, cut through the entire length of the body and tail, splitting it in half.
- Prep Your Meat. Now that the flesh is exposed and you’re left with two halves, you can remove the black roe and tomalley. This is the greenish intestinal tract. Rinse both halves of the lobster and then thoroughly pat them dry.
- Roast the Claws. To allow the claw meat to roast evenly and make the shell easy to remove once cooked, use a mallet to crack the claw shells. You want to see a crack form.
- Brush with Butter. Brushing the meat with melted butter helps keep it moist. Rub or brush the exposed flesh with olive oil or melted butter. Be careful not to add anything that will burn at a high temperature, such as small pieces of butter. Place the lobster halves on a baking sheet, flesh side up, shell side down.
- Preheat the Oven for Broiling. Slide your baking sheet in 7 to 9 inches from the heat source. Broiling lobster happens fast, so you will want to keep an eye on it.
- Check Time and Temperature. For 1.5-to-2-pound lobsters, we recommend that you broil them for 10-15 minutes. The flesh will turn white and then golden. Make sure to check the internal temperature. You want to pull these out when they reach 135-140 degrees.
- Serve Boiled Lobster.Remove the lobsters and place on a platter, baste with more butter, and use your own butter sauce or spice blend. Serve right away with melted butter and lemon wedges. Alternatively, you can remove the meat and mix it with stuffing.
Notes
For a delicious butter sauce add fresh chopped herbs and seasonings to the butter like chopped tarragon mixed with chives. To make a simple lemon butter simply squeeze in some fresh lemon juice into melted butter.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Broil
- Cuisine: American
Diving In
However you decide to cook your lobsters, every successful lobster dish starts with the freshest ocean-to-table lobster. The live lobsters from Lobster Anywhere are pulled up from the icy waters off the coast of Maine daily and delivered within 24 hours of your order. In addition, you can also pick your delivery date, giving you plenty of time to prepare and plan for your epic and decadent lobster feast!
Looking for More Ways to Cook Lobster at Home?
Ready to cook lobster? Discover our easy-to-follow recipe for How to Cook Lobster Tails. Plus, we have helpful guides showcasing different ways to cook live lobsters, giving you plenty of options for preparing them in your own kitchen. For a quick look at the top methods for cooking Maine lobster, check out our overview.
- Cooking Lobster
- How to Bake Lobster: The Ultimate Sheet Pan Dinner
- How to Boil Lobster: Get into Some Hot Water!
- How to Broil Live Lobsters
- How to Cook Lobster In an Air Fryer
- How to Cook Lobsters on the Grill Without Ruining Them
- How to Microwave Lobster: Yes, it really works in a pinch!
- How to Sous Vide Lobster – Recipes for Lobster Tails and Meat
- How to Steam Live Lobster: Full Steam Ahead!