Sweet, mellow lobster is an ocean delicacy for good reason: the meat from these flavorful crustaceans makes a delicious addition to a sandwich roll, a creamy seafood pasta, and even an Eggs Benedict. But many seafood aficionados insist that the best way to enjoy this maritime treat is to eat the lobster whole, which can be daunting.
If youve never eaten a whole lobster before, you might feel a bit confused about how to dig in – after all, the lobsters hard shell doesnt give you an obvious way to access the tender meat. Luckily, were providing you with clear step-by-step instructions for how to get the most out of these tasty creatures with the help of owner and seafood expert Steve Kingston of The Clam Shack in Kennebunk, Maine.
Lobster is one of the most decadent and delicious seafood treats out there. When served a whole lobster, some people may hesitate about eating certain parts especially the head. The big questions many have are – can you eat the lobster head and should you eat it?
I have done extensive research on eating whole lobsters to provide a definitive answer. After consulting seafood experts, chefs, lobster fishermen and inspecting anatomy, I can conclusively say that yes, you absolutely can and should eat the lobster head. It contains tasty morsels of meat that true lobster lovers shouldn’t miss out on.
In this detailed guide I will cover everything you need to know about savoring the whole lobster including how to eat the lobster head properly. You’ll learn about
- Lobster anatomy and edible parts
- Step-by-step instructions for eating the head
- Health benefits and nutrition
- How to choose and prepare whole lobsters
- Lobster alternatives if you can’t find whole
After reading, you’ll feel confident and ready to indulge in the entire lobster from head to tail. No more wasting parts or messy struggles to get to the good stuff!
Overview of Lobster Anatomy and Edible Parts
To understand how to eat a whole lobster, you first need to know what you’re working with. Lobsters have three main edible sections:
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Claws and knuckles – The claws contain sweet, delicate meat, while the knuckles have small amounts of very tender meat.
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Tail – This section contains the largest amounts of lobster meat. It’s firmer and richer than claw meat.
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Head/body – The head and main body contain smaller pieces of tasty meat.
In addition, the legs also contain small but tasty morsels of meat. The shell, cartilage, eggs (roe), and digestive tract contents (tomalley) are not recommended for consumption by the FDA.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Eating the Lobster Head
Here are clear instructions for getting all the tasty meat out of the lobster head:
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Twist off the legs and suck out the flavorful meat.
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Use seafood scissors to cut the body in half lengthwise.
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Use a fork, pick, or your fingers to pull meat from the leg joints and anywhere else you see tasty morsels.
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Crack open the various segments of the head to access all the nooks and crannies holding lobster meat.
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Keep working with your pick to extract any remaining meat you can find.
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Dip the sweet head meat in melted butter or lemon butter sauce.
With some effort, you can get quite a lot of delicious meat from the head. It has a rich, briny lobster flavor since the head is close to the ocean flavored tomalley.
Health Benefits of Eating the Whole Lobster
Many people feel guilty indulging in such a decadent seafood treat. However, lobster does offer excellent nutrition when eaten in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Benefits include:
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High in protein, low in fat – A 3 oz serving contains over 20g of protein.
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Packed with B12, selenium, zinc, copper and other vitamins/minerals.
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High in omega-3s from algae the lobster eats, supporting heart and brain health.
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Low mercury levels compared to some seafood. Considered sustainable.
So enjoy lobster meat from the claws, tail, legs, and head guilt-free! Just watch your portion sizes as it is high in cholesterol.
Choosing and Preparing Whole Lobster
Follow these tips for buying and cooking lobsters:
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Select 1-1.5 pound lobsters with soft shells that are easier to crack open.
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Cook lobster right before eating by boiling, steaming, baking or grilling.
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Have proper tools on hand – nutcracker, small forks, picks, scissors, lobster gloves.
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Take your time and don’t rush the whole lobster eating experience.
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Consider fun additions like drawn butter, lemon wedges, lobster rolls on the side.
Alternatives If You Can’t Find or Afford Whole Lobster
While not as exciting as whole lobster, these options allow you to enjoy the delicious meat:
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Lobster tails – The affordable, convenient option. Quick to steam or grill.
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Lobster meat – Picked meat ready to eat. More expensive but easy.
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Lobster rolls – Tender lobster meat in toasted buns with seasoning.
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Lobster mac and cheese – For the ultimate comforting, decadent dish.
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Lobster ravioli – Stuffed pasta with lobster in every bite.
Step 4: Suck out the leg meat
Like crab legs, lobster legs contain tasty edible meat. “Hold the carapace red-shell-side up in one hand and squeeze while simultaneously using the other hand to pull the underparts in one piece away from the head,” says Kingston. You can then break each leg away from the body and suck out the tender leg meat, then split the carapace in half lengthwise (seafood scissors can be helpful here) and pick out the remaining nuggets of meat from the leg joints.
Step 1: Assemble your materials
Youll want to start by making sure you have everything you need, including the lobster. Certain lobsters are easier to eat than others, Kingston says. “If youre buying lobster, you should try to choose 1 to 1.5 pound new shell lobsters, as these shells will be soft enough to break with your hands or with a nutcracker if you need a little more oomph. Hard shell lobsters can be tougher to crack, but a nutcracker will still do the job,” he explains.
New shell lobsters, also known as “soft shell lobsters,” are in-season in cold-water regions (like Maine and other parts of New England) from early June through mid November, so if your local fishmonger brings in Northeastern lobster, then youre likely getting new shell versions during that time period. From December through May, most seafood shops carry hard-shell lobsters. If youre not sure which ones are in stock at any given time, ask the fishmonger for guidance.
Regardless of the type of lobster, its helpful to have the following equipment on hand:
- A nutcracker and/or lobster scissors. This tool can help break tough shells, giving you access to the meat within.
- An oyster fork or a seafood pick. Standard table forks are too wide to help you scrape lobster meat out of tight spots like the claws and the tail. A smaller oyster fork (or an even thinner seafood pick) is much easier to fit into narrow nooks and crannies.
- Napkins. Eating a whole lobster is a messy endeavor, so youll want to be prepared. Keep more napkins near you than you think youll need, and if you want to go the extra mile, also grab a lobster bib and a wet wipe.
How to Shell and Eat A Whole Lobster | Serious Eats
FAQ
What part of a lobster can you not eat?
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Avoid:
- Intestinal Tract: The black vein or digestive tract that runs along the center of the tail should be removed and discarded as it doesn’t taste good.
- Cartilage: Any cartilage or feathery parts within the body and claws are not digestible and should be avoided.
- Stomach Sac (Grit): The sac behind the eyes, which contains the stomach and other organs, should be removed and discarded.
- Shell: The hard shell is not meant for consumption and is difficult to digest.
- Intestinal Tract: The black vein or digestive tract that runs along the center of the tail should be removed and discarded as it doesn’t taste good.
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Edible:
- Tomalley: The soft, green paste in the body cavity is technically edible, but current guidance suggests avoiding it.
- Roe: The lobster eggs (unfertilized) are edible and can be used as a garnish or eaten on their own.
- Meat: All of the meat inside the lobster is edible, including the tail, claws, and body meat.
- Tomalley: The soft, green paste in the body cavity is technically edible, but current guidance suggests avoiding it.
Can you eat the green stuff in lobster head?
You will see green stuff which is called the tomalley. The FDA recommends NOT eating this since it may be poisonous. You can scoop it out and rinse the lobster pieces with water later if you want. Using your nutcracker tool make a crack or two in the lobster tail and gently pull the meat out.
What does lobster head meat taste like?
It is a fresh and sweet, briny flavour.
Can you use lobster heads?
The head is full of some great flavor which are captured in the stock recipe below. You can use the lobster stock for preparing rice, making soups, and so much more.
Can you eat a lobster head?
The short answer is yes, you can eat the lobster head. In fact, there are plenty of tender bits of meat in the head that are often overlooked by many lobster lovers. The head contains a digestive gland called the hepatopancreas, which is also known as the tomalley.
Is lobster high in low-density lipoprotein (LDL)?
Lobster is low in saturated fatty acids and rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are good for the heart and help lower cholesterol.
Can you eat the body of a lobster?
Yes, the body of a lobster possesses meat that can be consumed. Although not as abundant as in the claws and tail, the meat extracted from the body can be utilized for various recipes and dishes. 7. Can you eat the small legs on a lobster? The small, thinner legs of a lobster are usually not consumed, as they contain a minimal amount of meat.
Can you eat a lobster shell?
Yes, both tomalley (the green liver) and roe (eggs) found inside the body of a female lobster are edible. They are often considered delicacies and can be used in various lobster dishes or enjoyed on their own. 3. Can you eat the lobster shell? Is it bad to eat soft lobster?
Can you eat a lobster’s eyes?
A lobster’s eyes can be eaten, but there is no reason to eat them. They have a weird texture when eaten, and most people will not want to eat a lobster’s eyes. When lobsters are cracked open to be eaten, the gills are placed to the side and aren’t usually eaten.
What other parts of a lobster can you eat?
What other parts of the lobster can you eat? Other edible parts of the lobster include the legs, which contain small amounts of meat, and the tomalley, which is a soft, green substance found in the body cavity of the lobster.