Lobster Dishes: 6 Lobster Recipes to Try at Home

Lobster is a crustacean that lives in the ocean; fishermen catch and sell lobster for the morsels of tender meat underneath the creatures’ hard shells. People around the world enjoy lobster, but it’s particularly popular in Maine, where lobster is a local specialty.What Is Lobster?
Lobster is a crustacean that lives in the ocean; fishermen catch and sell lobster for the morsels of tender meat underneath the creatures’ hard shells. People around the world enjoy lobster, but it’s particularly popular in Maine, where lobster is a local specialty.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for buying the best lobster:

1. 1. Find live lobsters. Lobster comes in many varieties at the grocery store or seafood market. The most reliable way to buy fresh lobster is to buy a whole, live lobster—that way, it has the freshest taste when you cook it. (Other options include lobster tails or pulled lobster meat, but these will not be as fresh.)
2. 2. Select the size. Live, whole lobsters can range in weight: Jumbo lobsters come in at four to twenty pounds, and chicks weigh one to two pounds. In general, chicks are a good choice for beginners and experts alike since they’re easier to cook evenly and cheaper than their jumbo counterparts.
3. 3. Choose between species. Your seafood market may have multiple species of lobster. The species most common in the United States are American lobsters (Homarus americanus), though your market may carry spiny lobsters (or rock lobsters) as well. American lobsters are large with well-defined claws and tender meat; spiny lobsters are smaller without large claws and have tougher meat.
4. 4. Select between hard-shell and soft-shell. Hard-shell lobsters and soft-shell lobsters aren’t different varieties; they’re just at different stages of growth. Soft-shell lobsters are lobsters that have recently shed their old shells to make room for new ones—the shells are thinner, so they’re easier to crack and pick, and the meat is more tender and more delicate. Hard-shell lobsters have tough outer shells that can be more difficult to crack, and their meat is firmer and meatier.
5. 5. Choose the individual specimen. Once you’ve narrowed down what kind of lobster you want, it’s time to choose the individual lobster in the tank. The best tactic is to look for lobsters that are strong and lively. Hold an American lobster’s carapace (the upper shell) and make sure the lobster holds its claws above its head; the claws should not droop.

You can store live lobsters in your refrigerator for up to one night before it’s time to cook them. To store a live lobster, wrap it in damp newspaper or seaweed and store it upright in a paper bag in the refrigerator.

If you purchased raw lobster tails or pulled meat, you can store the uncooked lobster in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days before cooking.

While one of the most classic lobster dishes is an easy recipe of fresh-boiled lobster alongside a melted butter sauce, olive oil, or lemon wedges, here are a few more complex lobster recipes that make use of fresh lobster shells and meat:

1. 1. Lobster bisque: A bisque is a thick cream soup that chefs purée and strain for a fine, smooth final result. Traditional bisque recipes feature seafood like lobster, crayfish, shrimp, clams, or crab meat as the main ingredient. Chefs typically grind the crustacean shells into a fine paste to thicken the mixture. However, modern bisques may use puréed vegetables or aromatics in place of shellfish and thicken the base with rice or other starches. Other key ingredients in bisques include heavy cream and white wine. You can serve lobster bisque as an upscale appetizer at a dinner party, alongside crusty bread and garlic butter.
2. 2. Chef Gordon Ramsey’s lobster ravioli: Poached in a rich lobster stock, this cheesy lobster ravioli recipe helped put Chef Gordon Ramsay on the map. While most lobster recipes focus on the lobster tail, this dish is a perfect way to cook lobster meat from the less glamorous parts of the animal—knuckles, claws, and legs—thereby transforming these “scraps” into a flavor-packed filling that is both luxurious and economical.
3. 3. Chef Thomas Keller’s lobster boil: A lobster boil is a New England and Cajun meal of shellfish, sausage, vegetables, and aromatics, making it an excellent choice for special occasions and group celebrations. A lobster boil can include almost anything you want, as long as you make it bountiful. Chef Thomas Keller’s lobster boil recipe calls for lobsters, clams, shrimp, corn on the cob, onions, and lemons. However, you can add in other ingredients, such as a range of root vegetables and herbs and Andouille sausage.
4. 4. Lobster pasta: The rich, meaty notes of lobster pair well with fresh pasta for a decadent, filling meal ideal for date night. For an Italian version, try lobster meat shredded into a fettuccine with cream sauce; for a twist on mac and cheese, add lobster and garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
5. 5. Lobster rolls: This dish, a New England specialty, features a long, buttery bun filled with a cold lobster salad consisting of lobster meat, mayonnaise, lemon juice (or lemon zest), diced celery, and chives for garnish.
6. 6. Maine lobster stew: Lobster stew is a dish consisting of lobster meat, vegetables, black pepper, and other types of seafood such as clams, scallops, and mussels, all in a flavorful broth. This dish is closely related to classic New England clam chowder, another seafood-based soup dish.

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