how do you cook lobster skewers

How to Cook Perfect Lobster Skewers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Lobster skewers are a delicious and elegant way to enjoy succulent lobster meat. The sweet, tender chunks of lobster paired with veggies, fruit or cheese and grilled to perfection make for an impressive appetizer or entrée. While lobster can seem intimidating to cook, preparing lobster skewers on the grill or in the oven is surprisingly easy. With a few tips on handling the lobster meat and best cooking methods, you’ll be serving up restaurant-worthy lobster skewers in no time.

In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook flawless lobster skewers at home.

Choosing the Lobster
The first step is selecting high-quality lobster. You have a few options:

• Live lobster – more work but yields the freshest, sweetest meat

• Lobster tails – quick and easy decent quality

• Lobster meat – pricier but very convenient

I recommend splurging on fresh live lobster if you can, for unbeatable flavor and texture. Look for lobsters that are lively and kicking. For lobster tails, choose plump, firm ones without dark or mushy spots. Prefrozen and thawed lobster meat should be glistening and translucent.

Preparing the Lobster for Skewering
If using live lobster, swiftly dispatch it then detach the tails. Use kitchen shears to cut through the top of the shell. Remove the tail meat in one piece. For the knuckle and claw meat, crack the shells with a mallet or scissors then extract the meat in chunks.

Chop the lobster meat into large chunks about 1-1.5 inches. Try to keep the pieces as intact as possible to retain moisture. Rinse the meat and pat dry with paper towels.

Threading the Skewers
Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes prior to use to prevent burning. Or for ease, use metal skewers.

Thread lobster chunks generously onto skewers, leaving a bit of space between each piece to allow for even cooking. For appetizers, thread 3-4 chunks per skewer. For entrée portions, thread 6-8 pieces.

Alternate the lobster with bite-sized pieces of veggies like peppers, onions, zucchini or pineapple for contrasting flavors and textures.

Brushing on Flavor
Brush the lobster liberally with olive oil or melted butter. Season with salt, pepper and spices like Old Bay or paprika. Spritz lemon juice over top and sprinkle on fresh herbs such as dill, parsley or tarragon if desired.

Marinating the skewered lobster for 30 minutes or longer will infuse even more flavor. Try a marinade of olive oil, garlic, chili flakes, lime zest and cilantro.

Grilling to Perfection
Preheat your grill on high heat, around 500°F direct grilling temperature. Use hardwood charcoal or wood chunks for the best smoky flavor.

Place skewers perpendicular to grates to prevent spinning. Resist urge to flip constantly. Cook 4-6 minutes per side for tails. Cook 5-7 minutes per side for knuckles/claws.

Done when opaque throughout. Tail meat will be firm but slightly translucent in center when perfectly cooked.

Baking Lobster Skewers
To cook lobster skewers in the oven, preheat to 450°F. Place skewers on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Cook 10-12 minutes until lobster is opaque and veggies are tender. Broil the last 1-2 minutes to brown tops.

Serving Suggestions

• Lemon wedges or herb aioli for squeezing/dipping

• Clarified butter for dipping or drizzling

• Melted garlic butter with fresh parsley and lemon

• Hollandaise sauce for elegant presentation

• Pesto, chimichurri or teriyaki glazes for fun flavor twists

Take your lobster skewers to the next level by pairing with warm drawn butter infused with garlic, shallots and thyme for dipping. Or present them on a bed of colorful couscous, orzo or quinoa salad sprinkled with tomatoes, olives and feta cheese for a complete meal.

With this guide, you can master cooking tender, juicy lobster skewers brimming with flavor. Impress guests or savor summer with these elegant yet easy skewers hot off the grill or fresh from the oven.

Tips for Perfect Lobster Skewers Every Time

Here are some top tips to ensure your lobster skewers turn out perfectly cooked and full of flavor every single time:

• Start with the highest quality, freshest lobster possible – this makes a big difference in taste and texture. Live lobster is ideal.

• Use metal skewers if grilling to prevent charring and breakage. If using wood, soak skewers for at least 30 minutes first.

• Brush lobster liberally with oil or melted butter before seasoning to help flavors adhere.

• Don’t overcrowd skewers. Leave a bit of space between pieces for smoke circulation when grilling.

• Grill on high heat. Lobster cooks quickly, so constant monitoring is key to avoid overcooking.

• Resist the urge to flip skewers too often. Let the lobster sear nicely on each side.

• Consider double skewers for extra large lobster pieces to prevent spin-arounds on the grill.

• Finish with a spritz of lemon and fresh chopped herbs right when they come off the grill.

• Serve with melted lemon butter for dipping or drizzling to complement the sweet lobster flavor.

• Pair with lighter sides like couscous or a bright, tangy slaw to cut the richness.

Follow these pro tips and you’ll be rewarded with perfectly grilled lobster skewers boasting tender, juicy meat with a kiss of smoke. Your guests will be beg you to make them again and again all summer long!

FAQs About Cooking Lobster Skewers

Get answers to all your questions on preparing and cooking lobster skewers with this helpful FAQ.

What is the best lobster for skewers?
Live lobster or raw lobster tails yield the freshest, sweetest meat ideal for skewers. Prefrozen lobster meat works too but may have less flavor.

Should you marinate lobster for skewers?
Yes, marinating enhances flavor and moisture retention. Try olive oil, garlic, citrus, herbs for 30 mins to overnight.

How do you keep lobster from sticking to the grill?
Brush skewers with oil before grilling. Use a very hot grill. Don’t move them around too much.

What is the best way to grill lobster skewers?
High heat between 500-550°F. Cook 4-7 minutes per side depending on meat size. Avoid flare-ups.

How can you tell when lobster skewers are done?
Lobster will turn opaque and become firm. Tail meat will still be slightly translucent in thickest part when perfectly cooked.

Should you soak wooden skewers before grilling lobster?
Yes. Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes prior to prevent burning and breakage on the grill.

What do you serve with grilled lobster skewers?
Melted lemon-garlic butter, pesto, chimichurri, aioli for dipping. Or serve over fresh greens, couscous, orzo or rice salad.

How do you bake lobster skewers in the oven?
Preheat oven to 450°F. Place lobster skewers on lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes until opaque.

Can you prepare lobster skewers ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble skewers in advance then store covered in fridge for up to 6-8 hours before cooking.

What sides go well with lobster skewers?
Buttered new potatoes, grilled corn on the cob, steamed asparagus or green beans, couscous or rice salad, a fresh green salad.

With this comprehensive FAQ, you have all the information needed to shop for, prep, cook and serve tender, succulent lobster skewers. Get ready for your best lobster yet!

How to Make Lobster Skewers on the Grill: A Simple Recipe

This easy recipe for grilled lobster skewers delivers tender, juicy lobster with delicious charred edges and smoky flavor. Simple yet elegant, these skewers make for an impressive appetizer or entrée perfect for summer.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs fresh lobster meat, cut into 1-1.5 inch chunks
• 12 wooden or metal skewers
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp melted butter or olive oil for brushing
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes if using.

2. Thread lobster chunks onto skewers, alternating with cherry tomatoes, pepper or onion wedges if desired.

3. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley and Old Bay. Brush liberally over skewers. Season with salt and pepper. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes.

4. Preheat grill to high heat, 500°F to 550°F. Brush grates with oil.

5. Place lobster skewers perpendicular to grates. Grill 4-5 minutes per side until opaque.

6. Serve immediately with melted lemon butter, fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

Make it a full meal by pairing with grilled corn, asparagus or zucchini skewers and couscous salad on the side. Enjoy these quick yet elegant lobster skewers all summer long!

Grilled Lobster Skewers with Bang Bang Sauce

This recipe for grilled lobster skewers bathed in a sweet, spicy and tangy “bang bang” sauce is sure to get rave reviews at your next backyard barbecue or summer dinner party. The succulent lobster meat pairs perfectly with the bold Asian-inspired sauce.

Ingredients:

• 6 lobster tails, shells removed
• Wooden skewers, soaked
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp canola oil
• 1⁄4 cup clarified butter
• 5 tsp red chili flakes
• 5 tsp chopped scallions
• 5 tsp chopped cilantro
• Bang Bang Sauce:
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 5 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 2 tsp honey

Instructions:

1. Cut lobster tails in half lengthwise. Skewer lobster meat. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and oil.
2. For sauce: Mix together mayo, sweet chili sauce, vinegar, sriracha and honey.
3. Preheat grill to high heat. Add butter, chili flakes, scallions and cilantro to skillet to melt.
4. Grill lobster 2 minutes per side until opaque.
5. Brush lobster with chili garlic butter. Remove from grill and top with bang bang sauce.
6. Serve immediately with sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

With its sweet and spicy Asian zing, this bang bang lobster is packed with bright, bold flavor. The tender grilled lobster meat soak up all the delicious flavors of the sauce. It’s sure to be your new go-to recipe for easy yet impressive grilled skewers.

Oven Baked Lobster Skewers

This oven-baked version of lobster skewers gives you tender, flaky lobster with a bit of char right in your kitchen. They make an elegant presentation without having to fire up the grill.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lobster meat, cut into chunks
• 12 short wooden or metal skewers
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions:

1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes. Thread lobster chunks onto skewers.
2. Mix together butter, garlic, paprika, cayenne, lemon juice and zest. Brush mixture over skewers.
3. Preheat oven to 450°F. Place lobster skewers on parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Roast 8-10 minutes until lobster is opaque. Turn skewers over halfway through.
5. Broil 1-2 minutes to lightly char.
6. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges. Enjoy!

These oven-roasted lobster skewers deliver big, bold flavor without having to fire up the grill. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or elegant dinner party fare, they will be your new go-to lobster recipe.