How To Steam or Boil Lobster Perfectly Plus Other Tips

Summer in Maine (or actually any time of year) means Lobster. All things lobster.  Lobsters boiled, steamed, lazy, fried, in a roll , you name it.  If you are a fan of lobster you may know it is one of those things that makes most people second guess themselves every single time before cooking.  The first question is usually should I steam or boil? Then, for how long? I have cooked my share of lobster and still question it each time.  The last thing anyone wants is an over cooked lobster. They are way too expensive for that! 

My favorite way to cook a lobster is to boil it. Usually I am preparing a lobster bake and will have potatoes, corn, clams and other goodies for the pot. To boil the perfect lobster every time, simple follow these instructions courtesy of LobsterfromMaine.com:

Boiling Instructions:
Choose a pot large enough to hold all the lobsters comfortably; do not crowd them. A 4- to 5-gallon pot can handle 6 to 8 pounds of lobster. Fill with water, allowing 3 quarts of water per 1-1/2 to 2 pounds of lobster. Add sea salt (to taste) to water. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Add the live lobsters one at a time, and start timing immediately. Do not cover. Stir the lobsters halfway through cooking. Let the lobsters rest for 5 minutes or so after cooking to allow the meat to absorb some of the moisture in the shell.
For timing, use the weight of individual lobsters, not total weight of all lobsters being cooked.

If you prefer to steam your lobster :   Steaming Instructions