Ordering lobster from a restaurant is easy, but if youre preparing lobster at home, youll develop a whole new appreciation for professional chefs and cooks everywhere.
If youre wondering how to cook lobster, youll need to know how to tell if lobster is fully cooked, else you run the risk of serving under- or over-cooked seafood.
When cooking any type of seafood, you want to make sure its cooked all the way through. To figure out once and for all the signs when lobster is done cooking, we spoke to Natalia Levey, a professional chef and restaurateur.
Steamed lobster is a delicious treat that can easily be prepared at home. However, knowing when your lobster is perfectly cooked is key to enjoying succulent tender meat. Undercooked lobster risks foodborne illness while overcooking results in tough, chewy meat. Luckily there are several foolproof ways to determine when your steamed lobster is done.
Checking for Visual Signs of Doneness
While using a meat thermometer is the most reliable method, visual signs can also indicate your lobster’s doneness when steaming. Here’s what to look for:
Shell Color
- Live lobsters have green, blue, brown or orange shells from their natural pigments.
- When heated, these pigments break down and the red astaxanthin becomes visible, turning shells bright red.
- Check that red has spread from tail to claws to body. Any sections still dull or dark need more time.
Meat Color
- Opaque white meat tinted red under shell indicates done lobster.
- Raw, translucent gray flesh with jelly-like texture is undercooked.
- Fatty parts near tomalley will be bright yellow when fully cooked.
Texture
- Cooked lobster meat is firm and springy. Press meat near joints to test.
- Mushy, soft texture means undercooked lobster.
Aroma
- Fully cooked lobster has a subtle, clean scent. Trust your nose.
- Ammonia odors signal undercooking.
Using a Thermometer for Doneness
For complete confidence in doneness, use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the tail or claw.
- Steamed lobster reaches ideal eating temperature between 140°F – 145°F.
- If under 140°F, continue steaming until hitting optimal temperature range.
Steaming Times Based on Lobster Size
Before checking doneness cues follow these general steaming time guidelines
- 1 – 1.25 lb lobster: Steam for 9-12 minutes
- 1.5 lb lobster: Steam for 10-13 minutes
- 2 lb lobster: Steam for 12-15 minutes
Larger lobsters need more time. Adjust times based on altitude. Start checking doneness at the low end of ranges.
Tips for Perfectly Steamed Lobster
With the right techniques preparing incredible steamed lobster at home is simple
- Choose a large pot and steaming basket. Do not crowd lobsters.
- Use 2 inches salted water and bring to a rolling boil.
- Add live lobsters and start timing immediately.
- Halfway through, shift lobsters so they cook evenly.
- Rely on visual cues, time guidelines, and thermometer for doneness.
- Serve immediately before cooling toughens meat.
Common Steaming Methods
These easy at-home steaming options yield tender, juicy lobster:
Stovetop
- Fill pot with 1-2 inches water, insert steaming basket, add lobster, cover, and steam based on size.
Microwave
- Place lobster on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel.
- Microwave 2-3 minutes per 1/2 pound.
Slow Cooker
- Add 1 cup water and rack to slow cooker, arrange lobsters on rack.
- Cook on high 9-11 minutes per pound.
Electric Steamer
- Fill water reservoir, place lobster in basket, steam 8-10 minutes per pound.
Serving Your Perfectly Steamed Lobster
Once your lobster passes doneness tests, it’s ready for an incredible feast. Follow these serving tips:
- Provide small forks, nut crackers, lobster picks and moist towelettes for eating.
- Offer clarified butter, lemon wedges and sea salt for dipping.
- Chilled white wine or wheat beer make excellent pairings.
- Serve with corn on the cob, coleslaw, and fresh bread.
Mastering the signs of perfect doneness means you’ll be enjoying tender, juicy steamed lobster like the pros. Rely on the techniques here to avoid under or overcooking your lobsters. Soon you’ll be impressing guests with steamed lobster worthy of the finest seaside restaurants.
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What Cooked Lobster Looks Like
If you dont have a meat thermometer and must rely on your senses, Levey recommends looking for the following signs lobster is cooked:
- The shell will be bright red all over.
- Cooked lobster meat looks white, with the pink colors closest to the shell becoming a deep red.
- Just like with any protein (fish, chicken, beef, pork), as the lobster cooks, the protein will tighten and firm up.
When cooking steak, you may cut into the flesh to see if the inside is pink or red. Its the same with lobster. The flesh should be opaque, pearly white, according to FoodSafety.gov.
If youre waiting for fragrant aromas in the kitchen youre likely to keep waiting. When lobster is cooked, there is little to no odor, according to the FDA.
Safe Internal Temperature for Lobster
Its not possible to tell if food is safely cooked by relying on sight, smell and taste, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
When cooking any meat, the best way to determine if its done cooking is using a food thermometer. This is the most accurate way to know when meat is thoroughly cooked to a safe internal temperature.
“The internal temperature of cooked lobster is 140 degrees Fahrenheit,” Levey says. “Do not cook to a temperature higher than 140 F or the lobster can become tough and chewy.”
How do you tell when broiled lobster is done?
FAQ
How do you know when lobster is done steaming?
The lobster shell will turn from blueish-green to bright red once steamed. Try tugging on one of the long antennae. If it easily releases, the lobster should be done. If you’re concerned, crack open one of the lobsters and make sure the meat has gone from translucent to white with red markings.
Can you steam lobster too long?
It will be tough and rubbery. Steaming is the preferred method of cooking for most people. If you have a steamer basket its real easy, otherwise, just put the lobsters in a pot of 1 inch of almost boiling water. It’ll take about 12 minutes, and the lobster will die a slow, painful death.
How to tell if lobster is fully cooked?
It should be bright red. Using a chef’s knife, split the shell where the tail meets the body. If the meat is white, the lobster is fully cooked.
Is it better to overcook or undercook lobster?
Never overcook your lobster. This makes the meat tough and stringy (a huge bummer!).
How do you know if a lobster is cooked?
As it cooks, the tail will naturally curl tightly, making it easier to discern when it’s cooked to perfection. 4. **The meat is opaque and white** – Once the lobster is cooked all the way through, the meat inside will turn opaque and have a pearly white color. Any translucent or gray areas indicate that the lobster needs additional cooking time.
How long do you cook a steamed lobster?
The cooking time for steamed lobster depends on the weight of the lobster. For a 1 pound lobster, steam it for about 7 minutes. For a 1.25 pound lobster, steam it for about 9 minutes. For a 1.5 pound lobster, steam it for about 12 minutes. And for a 1.75 pound lobster, steam it for about 14 minutes.
Are lobsters boiled or steamed?
Lobsters are highly prized seafood that can be eaten on their own, but also used in several dishes. Lobsters can be cooked different ways. Some are steamed, while some are boiled and others are broiled. Either way, determining when a lobster is done is important.
Can You overcook lobster by steaming it too long?
Yes, you can overcook lobster by steaming it too long. As little as a minute of too much cooking time can result in overcooked meat. Be sure to follow the recommended cooking times based on the size of the lobster.
Why do lobsters turn red when cooked?
A live lobster has a green or black hue due to its different pigments. But when it’s fully cooked, all the other pigments (except red) won’t show, according to the University of Maine. This is why the bright red color of a lobster is associated with it being fully cooked.
Does a fully cooked lobster float in boiling water?
**The lobster floats** – While it’s not a foolproof method, some chefs believe that a fully cooked lobster will float in boiling water. However, this can be influenced by other factors like how much air is trapped inside the shell, so it’s not the most reliable method. 10.