The Mr Lobster recipe page
Match the meal to the vibe.
Your lobster arrives live and ready. What happens next depends on the evening you have in mind. Start with the timing chart, then pick a mood.
How Long to Cook It
Start the clock when the water is back at a boil
Lobster sizeSteamedBoiled
1 lb10 minutes8 minutes
1¼ lb12 minutes9 to 10 minutes
1½ lb14 minutes11 to 12 minutes
2 lb18 minutes15 minutes
Times are approximate. A cooked lobster is bright red, and the meat is white and opaque all the way through. Keep live lobsters cold and cook them the day they arrive.
The vibe: purist · 25 minutes · 1 lobster per person
Steamed Lobster with Drawn Butter
A bib, a pot, and nothing to prove.
You'll need
- Live lobsters
- 2 inches of water
- 2 tablespoons salt
- Butter, melted
- Lemon wedges
How to make it
- Bring the salted water to a rolling boil in your biggest pot.
- Add the lobsters, cover tightly, and steam for the time on the chart.
- Lift them out with tongs and rest for five minutes.
- Serve with melted butter and lemon.
The vibe: dockside lunch · 20 minutes · makes 4 rolls
The Lobster Roll, Two Ways
Cold with mayo or warm with butter. Pick a side. You're good at that by now.
You'll need
- Meat from 2 cooked lobsters, in chunks
- 4 split-top rolls
- Butter for the rolls
- Cold: 2 tablespoons mayo, lemon, a little celery
- Warm: 3 tablespoons melted butter
How to make it
- Butter the outsides of the rolls and griddle until golden.
- Cold: toss chilled meat with mayo, lemon, and celery.
- Warm: turn the meat gently in melted butter over low heat.
- Pile into the rolls and eat right away.
The vibe: backyard show-off · 30 minutes · serves 2
Grilled Lobster with Garlic Butter
For when the neighbors are watching.
You'll need
- 2 lobsters, 1½ lb each
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Chopped parsley
- Lemon, salt, pepper
How to make it
- Boil the lobsters for 4 minutes, then cool under cold water.
- Split them lengthwise and crack the claws.
- Melt the butter with the garlic and parsley, and brush it over the meat.
- Grill shell-side down over medium-high heat for 5 to 6 minutes, basting, until the meat is opaque.
The vibe: cozy night in · 40 minutes · serves 4
Simple Lobster Stew
Rain on the windows, sweater on, phone elsewhere.
You'll need
- Meat from 2 cooked lobsters
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup cream
- Paprika, salt, pepper
How to make it
- Melt the butter over low heat and warm the lobster meat in it for 5 minutes with a pinch of paprika.
- Stir in the milk and cream and heat gently. Do not let it boil.
- Season, then let it sit off the heat for 15 minutes if you can wait.
- Serve with oyster crackers or good bread.
Picked a vibe? Now pick a state.
Live hardshell lobster, bought in New Hampshire or Maine, your call, and shipped overnight.
Order lobster