If you want to bring an air of sophistication and celebration to your dinner table without spending hours in the kitchen, a surf and turf dinner might be the perfect solution.
With the right ingredients and a bit of planning, you can pull off an effortless meal that looks (and tastes!) over the top—and we’ve got just the recipes to show you how.
Maine is famous for its delicious, fresh lobster. For seafood lovers not living near the coast, getting that authentic Maine lobster experience can be a challenge. Luckily, thanks to modern shipping methods, you can have fresh Maine lobster delivered right to your doorstep no matter where you live. But how much does it actually cost to ship lobster from Maine? Here’s a breakdown of the factors that go into Maine lobster shipping costs.
Lobster Shipping Methods
The first thing that impacts the cost is how you want your lobster shipped. There are a few options:
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Live lobster shipping – Getting live Maine lobster shipped overnight is the best way to ensure maximum freshness. Live lobsters are packed in insulated coolers with cold packs and shipped express This is the priciest but freshest option
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Lobster tails – Lobster tails are flash frozen individually to lock in flavor They ship frozen with dry ice in insulated boxes Lobster tails cost less than live lobsters to ship,
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Lobster meat – Pre-picked lobster meat is also flash frozen. It ships frozen just like tails. Lobster meat shipping is the most affordable lobster shipping method.
So live shipping will be the most expensive while frozen meat is cheapest. Factor around $30 extra for live shipping compared to frozen.
Order Size
The total amount of lobster you order heavily impacts the shipping cost. There are two thresholds most suppliers use:
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Under 5 pounds – Orders under 5 lbs incur full shipping fees. Rates start around $40.
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Over 5 pounds – Orders over 5 lbs qualify for free or discounted shipping. Some vendors offer free shipping at 3 lbs.
Even if you only order 2-3 lobsters, you’ll likely hit that 5 lb minimum. Going over 5 pounds saves you about $30-40 in shipping.
Shipping Speed
The faster you want your lobster, the more it will cost:
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Overnight shipping – Guaranteed next day delivery by 10:30 AM. Usually around $40-60.
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2nd Day Shipping – Arrives in 2 business days. Approximately $30-40.
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Regular Ground – Non-guaranteed, takes 2-5 days. Around $20.
Overnight is best for live lobsters. Frozen can go regular ground to save money.
Shipping Distance
Shipping distance plays a smaller role, but still impacts cost. Expect to pay $5-10 more for:
- West coast delivery
- Southern states like Florida and Texas
- Remote areas like Hawaii and Alaska
Shipping to a nearby state like New York will be cheapest. Overall though, distance plays a minor role compared to order size and speed.
Additional Fees
Watch out for extra fees that can bump up pricing:
- Fuel surcharges due to high gas prices
- Residential delivery fees
- Weekend or holiday delivery
- Courier wait time fees
- Address correction fees
Carefully read all delivery terms to avoid surprises. Live lobster shipping often has more surcharges than frozen.
Lobster Shipping Cost Examples
To give you a better idea, here are some real-world lobster shipping costs:
- 1 live 1.5 lb lobster to California with overnight delivery: $60
- Shipment of two 1.5 lb live lobsters (3 lbs) to NYC with overnight delivery: $75
- 5 lbs of frozen lobster tails to Florida with 2nd day delivery: $60
- 10 lbs of frozen lobster meat to Texas with regular ground shipping: $90
In general, expect to pay $15-25 per pound for live lobsters including shipping. Frozen lobster tails cost $10-15 per pound shipped. Lobster meat runs $7-12 per pound with shipping.
Getting lobster shipped from Maine to your location will cost more than picking it up yourself. But for freshness and convenience, the shipping charge is worth it! Carefully select your shipping method, order size, and delivery options to find the right balance of affordability and freshness for your needs.
Top Maine Lobster Shipping Companies
If you’re ready to order fresh lobster straight from the Maine coast, here are some top shipping companies to check out:
Harbor Fish Market
- Family-owned company operating since 1946
- Specializes in live and frozen seafood shipping
- Offer overnight nationwide delivery
- Free shipping on orders over 5 lbs
- Live lobsters, lobster tails, crab, scallops, and more
Maine Lobster Now
- Over 30 years experience shipping lobsters
- Deliver live, whole lobsters and lobster tails
- Free overnight shipping on orders over $150
- Ship to all continental US states
- Live lobster tanks to keep lobsters healthy
Lobster Anywhere
- 25 years experience shipping fresh seafood
- Live lobsters, lobster tails, meat, and dinners
- Pack in insulated coolers with cold packs
- Deliver to almost anywhere in continental US
- Specialize in live Maine lobster
These three seafood companies all have excellent reputations for freshness and service. Their experienced shipping practices ensure your lobster arrives in peak condition. Ordering from them takes the guesswork out of getting fantastic fresh Maine lobster no matter where you live.
Enjoy Delicious Maine Lobster from Anywhere
While lobster shipping does cost more than picking it up yourself, it’s worth it for the ultimate convenience and freshness. Carefully pick your shipping method, order size, delivery options, and Maine supplier to find the best value based on your needs. With the right shipping approach, you can enjoy mouthwatering Maine lobster straight from the cold North Atlantic waters to your home kitchen.
What is Surf and Turf?
Surf and turf is a style of menu that offers the best of both the land and the sea. This means customers don’t have to choose between the steak and the lobster and just get them both. This is a classic offering at steakhouses and seafood restaurants.
Surf and turf plates are often show-stopping displays of vibrant, fresh seafood and juicy seared steak. Alongside the main course, you’ll often find vegetable side dishes like crisp green asparagus, creamed spinach, whipped potatoes, or other sides to balance out all the protein.
Ultimately, surf and turf is a delightful culinary experience of texture, flavor, and aroma in one unique meal.
Steak and Lobster Tails
If you’re really aiming to impress, serve up restaurant-quality steak and lobster for dinner. A brilliant red lobster tail makes a statement on the plate. Add a homemade oven-broiled steak and you have an all-around winning combination for every palate that’ll satisfy even the most pretentious New England seafood chef.
We make this show-stopping dinner easy to pull off with our ready-to-prepare Captain’s Tails and Turf package. This combo includes two buttery-soft fillets with the meatiest Atlantic cold water lobster tails and a zesty key lime pie to finish things off.
Here’s how to prepare steak and lobster tails for dinner:
First, prep and season your lobster.
- Make a deep lengthwise cut in the top of the lobster tails.
- Gently pry the shells apart and season the meat with melted butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. If you like, you can add a dusting of Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, or any dried herb you love.
(For more tips on how to properly prepare lobster, Checkout our recipe How to cook Lobster Tails .)
Meanwhile, fire up your broiler to high and prepare the steaks.
- Place an oven rack two to three inches from the heat source.
- Place the steaks on a baking sheet and generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the baking sheet under the broiler.
- Use this chart to determine the best cooking time for your steaks.
- Remove the steaks from the oven just before they reach your desired doneness, transfer to a cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and let the meat rest while you broil the lobster.
Cook the lobster.
- Place the prepared lobster tails on the same baking sheet.
- Place them under the broiler and cook until the meat is opaque, about 5 to 10 minutes.
Finally, plate everything up and dig in!
Steak and scallops might be a more unusual approach to surf and turf, but it still fits the bill. In fact, plump, fresh sea scallops have a soft and flaky texture that pairs well with steak.
Since scallops are so naturally buttery on their own, you can swap the more traditional fillet with a high-quality New York strip steak.
This surf and turf pairing calls for the stovetop. Use a large, heavy-bottomed cast-iron pan or skillet to sear both your steaks and scallops.
Here’s how to cook it:
- First, pat the scallops and steaks dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Brush them with a thin coating of canola oil or another high-heat oil.
- Heat your pan over medium-high heat for a good 3 to 5 minutes, until hot.
- Gently place the steaks in the skillet and sear for 4 minutes, or until you have a nice brown crust on one side. Use tongs to flip the steaks and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on the other side.
- Add a 2-tablespoon pat of butter to the skillet and as it melts, spoon the butter over the steaks for another minute.
- Remove the steaks from the skillet when they are 5 to 10 degrees away from your desired doneness. Place on a cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and rest while you sear the scallops.
- Return the skillet to medium-high heat.
- When the oil is hot, gently place the scallops into the skillet, leaving several inches of space between each scallop.
- Sear for 2 minutes undisturbed, then add 1 tablespoon of butter to and gently flip the scallops with tongs or a thin fish spatula to sear for another minute, until cooked through but still soft in the center.
Plate up your steaks and scallops and serve hot!
Unboxing Live Lobster Shipped From Maine
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship lobsters from Maine?
| Total Order Amount | 2nd Day | Next Day |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $24.99 | $29.00 | $33.00 |
| $25.00 – $49.99 | $32.00 | $36.00 |
| $50.00 – $74.99 | $35.00 | $39.00 |
| $75.00 – $99.99 | $38.00 | $42.00 |
How do I ship live Maine lobsters?
This is a great way to transport lobster: Place blue ice(hard plastic) on bottom of large cooler. Place rockweed on blue ice. Place lobsters on rockweed. Cover lobsters with more rockweed. Place moist towel on top(keeps rock weed from drying out).
How long can lobsters survive during shipping?
It’s best to cook your lobsters the day they arrive, but they can be stored up to two days if needed.Apr 6, 2024
Can you bring lobster home from Maine?
A live lobster is allowed through security and must be transported in a clear, plastic, spill proof container. A TSA officer will visually inspect your lobster at the checkpoint.