When everyone from modern-day chefs like Tyler Florence to classic icons like Julia Child swear by steaming lobsters, you know it’s the right way to go! Even Bobby Flay steams a lobster before grilling it because steaming preserves the texture and flavor. Steaming lobsters, especially live, lets you cook the meat evenly, providing the perfect texture and keeping the flavors intact.
Steaming lobster at home is much easier than you think, and we’ll show you exactly how to give yourself a true lobster shack experience right in your own kitchen. Whether you’re a first-time lobster cook or looking to perfect your technique, our complete guide covers everything from timing to seasoning and temperature.
Most importantly, it’s all about size and time.
Steam Time by Lobster Size
| Lobster Weight | Steaming Time |
|---|---|
| 1 lb | 7–8 minutes |
| 1¼ lb | 8–9 minutes |
| 1½ lb | 9–11 minutes |
| 2 lb | 11–12 minutes |
| 2½ lb | 12–13 minutes |
| 3 lb | 12–14 minutes |
| 5 lb | 22–24 minutes |
Fun fact: Steaming lobster yields more meat than boiling lobster, as boiling washes away the proteins and juices, shrinking the meat and giving it a rubbery texture.
If you’re ready to steam a lobster (whether live or frozen), here’s how. After the recipe, we share tips to ensure it comes out perfect and variations.
Tools You Need
The only tools you need for steaming lobsters are:
- Large pot with a steaming basket.
- Use our lobster pot size chart to pick the right quart size (boil vs steam)
- Large platters or sheet pans if you don’t have the large pot
- Tongs
Directions for How to Steam Live Lobster
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pick a pot that will accommodate your whole lobsters. Choose confidently with our What size pot for lobster? guide
- Fill a pot with 2 inches of water, and toss in some sea salt if you’re using fresh water. You can also add seaweed for extra flavor.
- Cover your pot tightly and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Once your water is boiling, carefully drop your lobsters into the pot one at a time, headfirst with legs facing away from you. Cover it up tight to keep the steam in.
- Once the water returns to a steady boil, reduce the heat to a gentle, rolling boil. Now, start your timer.
- Steam by the lobster's weight using the chart above, starting the timer when the water returns to a boil. Don't add time just because you have more than one in the pot. Same sizes cook on the same clock. Pull at 135 to 140°F.
- When time is up, carefully remove the lobsters from the pot with tongs. They should be bright red. Check our complete doneness guide for temperature testing and visual cues to ensure they’re perfectly cooked.
- While your lobsters are cooling off, get that butter melting. We love adding a good squeeze of fresh lemon to lobster.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!And that’s it! Now that you know how to steam a frozen or live lobster, here are some tips to ensure you have a succulent and luxurious seafood experience each time.
Tips to Steam the Perfect Lobster Each Time
There are a few things you’ll want to do to ensure the lobster meat is safe to eat, seasoned correctly, and comes out perfect each time.
Correct Internal Temperature
Pull lobster at 135 to 140°F in the thickest part of the tail, measured from the side nearest the body. That is where the meat is tender and just set. FDA guidance for seafood is 145°F, and a lobster pulled at 135°F drifts up to 140 to 145°F as it rests, so you land in the safe zone without overshooting into rubber. Use an instant-read thermometer. Shell color only indicates that heat was applied, not that the inside is cooked.
Let the Water Boil First
The water needs to be at a vigorous boil before you add the lobsters in. This helps ensure a quick dispatch and that the meat will begin cooking immediately. If the water isn’t boiling, the steam won’t be hot enough, and your cooking times will be off.
Water Levels
Keep the water below the steaming basket, or raise the meats above it, to ensure the steam cooks the lobster evenly and doesn’t boil the bottoms, which would create an uneven texture.
Additional Shellfish On Top
Want to do a clam bake, steam oysters, shrimp, or crawfish? Put them in a steamer bag and toss them on top of the lobster, without compacting the steamer basket. They have similar steaming times and will cook perfectly together; just make sure not to add too much, as you want the steam and heat to get in between everything.
Add Seasoning Once the Steaming Basket is Set
Once the lobsters and anything else are in the steaming basket, toss in a generous portion of your favorite seasonings, like Cajun Spice or Old Bay, if you want to season the meat. The seasoned water vapor helps infuse spices and flavors into the food, creating an aromatic experience while you wait for your meal.
Now you’re ready to steam frozen tails or live lobsters at home perfectly each time. And if you want the freshest and fished sustainably, purchase through our online store. Click here to buy fresh live main lobster, and click here for lobster tails.
Reasons to steam lobsters instead of other cooking methods.
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 at home. For a quick look at the top methods for cooking Maine lobster, check out our overview.
- Cooking Lobster
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- 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!
Worked great! Cooked to perfection!
Glad the steaming instructions for live lobster worked! What size lobsters did you cook? Happy New Year!