Lobster is a luxurious, delicious meal that deserves to be savored. But when faced with a whole cooked lobster, it can be intimidating to figure out how to break it down and get every bit of meat out of the hard shell. Many people stick to just eating the tail, claws, and knuckles. However, there is tasty meat spread throughout the entire lobster if you know how to access it properly.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to eat the entire lobster, from head to tail.
Is It Possible to Eat the Whole Lobster?
Yes, you can eat nearly every part of a cooked lobster! While the tail and claws contain the bulk of the meat, there are smaller morsels spread through the head, legs, joints, and even inside the body cavity Eating the entire lobster allows you to get the full value of your purchase and enjoy all the flavors the crustacean has to offer.
However, accessing some areas like the legs or the meat inside the body requires a bit of work. You’ll need the proper tools and some determination. But the reward of savoring every last bite makes it worthwhile.
Tools Needed to Eat All the Meat
To break down a lobster and extract all the meat from head to tail, you’ll need:
- Sharp kitchen shears or heavy-duty scissors
- A lobster cracker or nut cracker
- Seafood picks or very thin forks
- Small hammers or mallets (for hard shell lobster)
- Bowls for discarded shells
- Heavy duty aprons, bibs, and napkins
The scissors and crackers help break through the hard exoskeleton The picks allow you to reach into tight crevices, And the protective wear prevents sauce stains when things get messy!
Step-by-Step Guide to Eating the Whole Lobster
Here is a detailed guide to accessing all parts of a cooked lobster:
Remove the Claws
- Twist and detach the claws from the body.
- Crack open the shells with shears or a lobster cracker to remove the claw meat.
- Twist off the small jointed knuckles near the claws. Pick out the meat.
Extract Tail Meat
- Twist off the tail from the body.
- Remove the tail fins with your hands or scissors.
- Use picks or your fingers to pull the tail meat from the openings at the end.
Eat the Knuckles and Legs
- Crack the knuckles with shears or crackers.
- Pull the legs off the body and use picks to remove the meat inside.
Open and Clean the Body
- Crack the body open by pressing down firmly from the top.
- Rinse out and discard the green tomalley inside the body cavity.
- Use your fingers or picks to remove the small bits of meat from inside.
Don’t Forget the Head
- Twist off the head and use crackers or shears to break it open.
- Find pockets of meat throughout using picks.
- Suck the meat from the leg joints.
And that’s it! With the proper tools and patience, you can enjoy every morsel. Discard the piles of shells and relish the piles of sweet lobster meat you worked so hard to uncover.
Tips for Eating All the Meat Easily
While it’s possible to eat a whole lobster, it does take time and effort. Here are some tips for making the process a bit easier:
-
Choose soft shell vs hard shell – Soft shell lobsters have thinner, more pliable shells that are easier to break through. Good for eating the entire crustacean.
-
Use the right tools – Invest in quality lobster crackers, picks, and shears to breeze through the shell instead of struggling with silverware.
-
Start with the easiest parts first – Tails, claws, and knuckles give you the most meat for the work. Build confidence before tackling trickier spots.
-
Enlist helpers – Eating the entire lobster is more fun with friends or family! Assign each person a section.
-
Don’t wrestle with tiny bits – Legs and head offer just a small amount of meat. Decide if your effort is worth the slim reward.
-
Make the most of the leftovers – Mix any leftover lobster meat into salads, scrambled eggs, mac and cheese, or bisque.
With the right expectations and preparation, you can pick your way through an entire lobster for the full experience.
What to Do With the Leftover Shells and Parts
As you break down the lobster, you’ll amass quite the pile of cracked shells, legs, headpieces, and other remnants. But don’t be so quick to throw them out! These lobster parts can be put to good use:
-
Make lobster stock by simmering shells in water with vegetables and herbs. Strain and use for seafood risottos, chowders, etc.
-
Use cracked shells to line the bottom of a steamer pot to add flavor when cooking anything from fish to veggies.
-
Clean and bake shells at low heat until fully dry and brittle. Grind into a powder for lobster-infused seasonings.
-
Compost the shells, legs, and other parts that won’t be eaten. It’s great for the garden.
So put on those bibs, break out the tools, and get cracking! With this guide, you can conquer dining on a whole lobster. Just take it slow, use the proper utensils, and don’t be intimidated. The reward of savoring the lobster from head to tail makes it all worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eating the Whole Lobster
If you’re new to eating whole lobster, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries:
Is the green stuff inside the body safe to eat?
Yes, the green liver-like substance in the body cavity is called the tomalley. It’s made up of the lobster’s hepatopancreas. Many people consider it a delicacy and describe it as having a rich, seafood flavor. However, it also filters out contaminants, so it’s best avoided if you have certain health conditions or a compromised immune system.
Can you eat a lobster raw?
It’s not recommended. Raw shellfish including lobster can potentially contain harmful bacteria and parasites. Cooking the lobster to an internal temperature of 145°F destroys any dangerous organisms and makes it safer to eat. Stick to cooked lobster.
What are the red skinny legs on the body used for?
The small red legs sticking out of the lobster’s thorax are called swimmerets. Female lobsters use them to carry eggs after mating. They don’t contain much meat, but you can suck or pick out every last bit!
Is it worth the effort to get meat from the head and body?
For some lobster connoisseurs, no morsel is too small when eating the entire crustacean. But for the average diner, the tiny bits of meat in the body and head may not be worth the effort. Focus your energy on the claws, tail, and knuckles where the bulk of meat is.
What’s the tomalley and is it safe to eat?
The green matter inside a lobster is the hepatopancreas, called the tomalley. It filters out contaminants so should be avoided by some. But many think it has a delicious rich, seafood flavor and enjoy eating it on toast or in other dishes.
Savor Every Last Bite of Your Lobster
Lobster is a pricey protein, so you want the full experience when dining on these special crustaceans. While claws and tails provide most of the meat, there are tasty morsels spread throughout the entire lobster. With this guide, you can crack through the shell from head to tail to enjoy every last bite.
Just be sure to use the right tools and protective wear for this hands-on dining experience. Share the task with friends or family to make light work of unlocking the lobster’s many meaty treasures. Then relish the piles of sweet meat you uncovered through your determination and effort.
The next time you have the luxury of indulging in fresh lobster, don’t let any of it go to waste. With patience and persistence guided by these tips, you can eat (almost) the entire lobster!
