We can’t think of many cases where we would not be able to finish our cooked lobster. But, in the rare event that you might have made too much for a get-together and don’t want your lobsters going to waste, you might want to save them as leftovers and reheat them a different day.
Like most foods, lobsters do best when you use specific reheating methods that don’t compromise their taste and texture, and this helpful guide is going to walk you through the steps to do so.
Lobster is a delicious and luxurious seafood treat. However, leftover cooked lobster can easily dry out and lose its wonderful flavor and texture Properly reheating previously cooked lobster takes a little care, but with some simple techniques, you can revive lobster so it tastes freshly prepared
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know to reheat cooked lobster claws, tails, and whole lobsters. You’ll learn the best reheating methods, how to keep lobster moist, ways to boost flavor, quick serving ideas, proper storage, and more. With these tips, leftover cooked lobster will become your new favorite way to enjoy this decadent shellfish.
Why Leftover Lobster Needs Special Handling
The light, tender meat of lobster can overcook and dry out faster than you’d think. Direct high heat and extended cooking times are especially damaging. Even if properly stored, the texture and taste of leftover lobster will degrade over time
When reheating pre-cooked lobster, the goal is to gently warm it back up without causing the meat to toughen or lose moisture. You want it hot while keeping that lovely just-cooked texture and sweetness. The reheating method you choose depends on whether you’re working with whole lobster, lobster tails, claws, or lobster meat removed from the shells.
Best Ways to Reheat Cooked Lobster Tails and Claws
For reheating already cooked lobster pieces like tails and claws, using the oven is ideal. The indirect, ambient heat of the oven allows the lobster to warm evenly throughout without drying out the delicate meat.
Here is a simple oven reheating technique:
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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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Place the lobster pieces in a small baking dish.
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Dot the lobster meat generously with butter. The butter bastes the meat and keeps it nice and moist.
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For extra moisture, add a splash of white wine or seafood stock to the dish.
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Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes until heated through.
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Check for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the lobster. It should reach an internal temperature of 140°F.
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Serve immediately and enjoy!
The foil cover allows steam to build up and gently reheat the lobster, mimicking the moist heat cooking method originally used. Be careful not to overbake, which causes the meat to dry out. Cook just until hot for the best results.
For added flavor, try adding garlic, fresh herbs, citrus zest, Old Bay seasoning or other spices to the dish before baking.
How to Reheat a Whole Cooked Lobster
For reheating an entire pre-cooked lobster, the oven works well but steaming on the stovetop is also effective:
Oven Method
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Place the lobster on a sheet pan or in a small baking dish.
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Stuff the body cavity with lemon, garlic, and/or fresh herbs. The moisture from the lemon steaming in the cavity helps keep the meat juicy.
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Tent the lobster loosely with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
Stovetop Steaming Method
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Fill a large pot with 1 inch of water and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
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Set a steaming basket in the pot.
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Place the lobster in the basket, cover, and steam for 10-15 minutes until hot throughout.
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Take care not to over-steam, which causes the meat to toughen.
I find the oven method works a bit better, as the steam under the foil keeps the lobster moist much like the original cooking technique. But properly steaming on the stovetop can also yield delicious results.
How to Boost Flavor in Leftover Lobster
Simply reheating cooked lobster often strips it of its signature sweet, briny taste. Here are some easy ways to make leftover lobster taste freshly prepared:
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Coat the lobster meat with melted butter before and after reheating for extra moisture and richness.
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Season with Old Bay, lemon pepper, or other spices before or after reheating.
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Stuff lemon slices, garlic cloves, and/or fresh herb sprigs into the body cavity before reheating.
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Add a splash of white wine or seafood stock to the reheating dish.
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Serve reheated lobster with lemon wedges and clarified melted butter for dipping.
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Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving for color and flavor.
A little extra butter, seasoning, citrus and herbs can work wonders to make leftover lobster taste like you just cooked it.
Quick and Easy Ways to Use Up Leftover Cooked Lobster
Reheating and eating lobster with drawn butter is always a treat. But if you have a lot of cooked lobster leftover, get creative with these serving ideas:
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Chop lobster meat and add to pasta dishes, risottos or mac and cheese.
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Toss with mayo, lemon juice and celery for an easy lobster salad. Serve over greens or in a sandwich.
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Stuff into warmed rolls or tacos with drizzles of sauce.
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Fold meat into fluffy omelets or scrambled eggs.
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Top individual baked potatoes with lobster for loaded twice-baked potatoes.
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Fill ramekins with a mix of lobster meat, breadcrumbs, sauce and cheese then bake for easy lobster pots.
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Make lobster sliders on mini buns with remoulade or aioli.
With some clever usage, leftover lobster won’t go to waste. Use it to take your usual recipes to luxurious new heights.
How to Store Cooked Lobster for Later Use
To get the longest shelf life out of cooked lobster:
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Allow the lobster to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating.
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Place lobster pieces or whole lobster in an airtight container. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
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For longer storage, wrap the lobster tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Properly stored, cooked lobster stays fresh and moist, making reheating much easier. With some TLC, you can enjoy leftover lobster to the last bite.
Putting It All Together
With the right techniques, reheating previously cooked lobster at home results in tender, juicy and flavorful meat with that fresh-from-the-steamer taste. Here are a few key tips to remember:
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Gently reheat pre-cooked lobster using steam or indirect oven heat to prevent drying out.
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Know that lobster tails, claws, and whole lobsters may require different reheating methods and cooking times.
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Add flavor boosters like lemon, butter and fresh herbs before or after reheating.
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Serve reheated lobster with clarified butter and lemon wedges.
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Get creative repurposing leftover lobster meat in your favorite recipes.
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Store cooked lobster properly in the refrigerator or freezer to maximize freshness.
With this advice, you can revive leftover cooked lobster so it tastes sublime once again. Indulge in this decadent seafood whenever you like.
How to Reheat Lobster Tail in the Oven
Although microwaving is quick and convenient, we recommend using the oven to reheat lobster if you have time. It takes a little more time to do, but it’s also a bit more reliable and can retain the flavors and texture of your lobster, making it feel like you’re enjoying your original meal all over again.
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wrap shelled lobster or tails in aluminum foil and place a couple of pats of butter over the meat.
- Place the wrapped lobsters on a baking pan and cook for five to ten minutes.
- Remove from the oven and use a thermometer to check that the lobster’s reached at least 140-degrees.
You can also create small foil packets for lobster meat not in its shell. Add some butter and seasonings to keep it tasting fresh!
Is Lobster Safe to Eat When Reheated?
Lobsters can be safe to eat when it’s reheated when you use the right methods. Any leftover food can be harmful if it’s not heated to the proper temperature or with food-safe methods that keep it from getting contaminated by bacteria.
If you cooked your lobster to the right internal temperature the first time, then you shouldn’t have much to worry about as far as bacterial contamination. However, upon reheating lobster, you’ll need to make sure that you, once again, bring it to the right temperature to prevent the spread of bacteria that won’t agree with your gut.
You can learn how to reheat steamed lobster (or baked, grilled, or any other version!) in the microwave or oven – our two suggested methods – by following the below instructions.
How to Prep and Cook Pre Cooked Lobster
FAQ
What is the best way to cook pre-cooked lobster?
Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the lobster in a baking dish and add a splash of water or broth. Cover with foil to keep it moist and heat for about 10-15 minutes. Tip: This method is ideal for whole lobsters or larger pieces.
How to heat up already cooked lobster?
Bring the water to a boil. Place the lobster in the basket (on its back) and cover. Reheat on medium heat for about five to eight minutes.Sep 17, 2023
Is it better to cook lobster in the oven or boiling?
Broiling isn’t the best. I’ve heard that boiling makes delicious lobster. The heat from the oven is actually going to impart more flavor and retain more nutrients than boiling will. Steaming is the gentlest method but once again it’s not going to impart any flavor.
How to cook pre cooked lobster?
Now you know how to cook pre-cooked lobster! Pre-cooked lobsters can easily be reheated by placing them into the pot with boiling water and then cooking them for about 10 minutes, or until their shells become bright red and meat opaque and firm. If you cook shucked pre-cooked lobsters, the cooking time will be even shorter.
Can you cook pre cooked lobster in the oven?
Just as with fresh lobster, you can steam, grill and even bake pre-cooked lobster in the oven. The difference is that the cooking times will be shorter. Steam pre-cooked frozen lobster after thawing it in a large pot over boiling water for 10 to 20 minutes.
Can you cook frozen lobster?
Boiling isnt the only way to prepare lobster thats been pre-cooked and frozen. Just as with fresh lobster, you can steam, grill and even bake pre-cooked lobster in the oven. The difference is that the cooking times will be shorter. Thaw frozen lobster in a large pot of boiling water for 10 to 20 minutes. Then, steam it.
How do you cook a whole lobster?
Grilling and baking are also great options, as they add a smoky flavor to the lobster. To grill or bake a precooked whole lobster, preheat your grill or oven to 400°F (200°C), place the lobster on a baking sheet or grill, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
How long does it take to cook lobster meat?
Fill a large stockpot with 6 cups of water and add some sea salt. Bring the water to a boil. Add lobster meat to the boiling water. If you are cooking shucked lobster meat, it will be done in 2 minutes. If it is still in the shell, you will need to cook it for 7-10 minutes at least.
How do you reheat a precooked whole lobster?
To grill or bake a precooked whole lobster, preheat your grill or oven to 400°F (200°C), place the lobster on a baking sheet or grill, and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. How do I know when a precooked whole lobster is fully reheated?