Can You Reheat Lobster in the Microwave? The Complete Guide

Lobster is one of the most luxurious and delicious seafood treats out there. When prepared and cooked properly, lobster meat is tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. However, leftovers are common when indulging in this crustacean delicacy. This leaves many home cooks wondering – can you reheat lobster in the microwave?

The short answer is yes, you can reheat lobster in the microwave. However, there are some best practices you need to follow to ensure the reheated lobster still tastes great and has the right texture. The microwave can be a quick and convenient way to reheat lobster, but you have to be careful not to overcook it.

Here is a complete guide with tips and recommendations on the best way to reheat lobster meat in the microwave.

Things to Consider Before Reheating Lobster in the Microwave

There are a few things to think about before simply tossing your cooked lobster into the microwave:

• Type of lobster – The reheating method may differ slightly depending on if you are reheating a lobster tail versus reheating a whole lobster or lobster claws.

• Amount of lobster – The quantity of lobster you are reheating will impact the reheating time. A larger tail or multiple claws will take longer than a petite tail.

• Preparation – It’s important to remove all shells and cartilaginous pieces before reheating the lobster meat in the microwave Shell fragments can lead to uneven cooking,

• Doneness – If the leftover lobster was previously overcooked, reheating risks making it rubbery and chewy. It’s best to reheat moderately cooked lobster.

• Cooking method – How the lobster was originally cooked (boiled, grilled, baked etc) can alter how it reheats. Grilled lobster tends to reheat better than boiled.

Keeping these factors in mind will help you determine the best way to reheat your particular lobster leftovers in the microwave.

Can You Reheat Already Cooked Lobster in the Microwave?

Yes you can reheat previously cooked lobster in the microwave but it requires some special care. Lobster meat is quite delicate and can easily be overcooked. When overcooked, lobster becomes rubbery and loses its tender texture.

The key is to use lower power and cook lobster in short intervals to prevent overcooking. This gradual reheating method helps maintain the texture of the lobster meat.

For optimum results, only reheat lobster that was initially cooked properly without being overdone. Moderately cooked lobster reheats better than one that was severely overcooked initially.

Tips for Reheating Lobster Meat in the Microwave

Follow these tips for reheating lobster meat in the microwave successfully:

• Remove the shell – Take all lobster meat out of the shell if reheating a whole lobster or lobster tails. The shell can interfere with even cooking.

• Use a microwave-safe dish – Glass, ceramic or microwave-safe plastic containers work best. This prevents chemicals from leaching into the food.

• Add moisture – Adding a bit of water, lemon juice, broth or melted butter helps keep the lobster meat moist.

• Cover with a damp paper towel – Covering the dish with a paper towel prevents splatter and traps steam to keep the lobster moist.

• Cook at 30-50% power – Always use a lower power level between 30-50% power to avoid overcooking.

• Cook in short intervals – Microwave in 30 second bursts, checking between each interval. This prevents overcooking.

• Allow standing time – Let the lobster rest for 1-2 minutes after reheating so the temperature can evenly distribute.

Following these precautions will yield tender, juicy reheated lobster straight from the microwave.

Best Practices for Reheating Different Types of Lobster

The technique for reheating lobster in the microwave may vary slightly depending on the type and quantity you are reheating.

Reheating Lobster Tails

• Place lobster tail meat in a microwave-safe dish and add 1 tbsp butter, lemon juice or seafood stock.

• Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave on 50% power in 30 second intervals until heated through.

• For a 3-4 oz tail, it will take 45-90 seconds. An 8 oz tail may need 2-3 minutes.

Reheating Lobster Claws

• Break open claws and remove meat. Place in a microwave-safe bowl.

• Add 1-2 tbsp of water or seafood stock and cover with a paper towel.

• Microwave claws at 40% power in 20-30 second intervals until heated through, about 1-2 minutes.

Reheating Whole Lobster

• Remove all meat from tails, claws, legs and body. Discard shells.

• Place lobster meat in a microwave-safe dish and add 2-3 tbsp liquid.

• Cover and microwave at 30% power, checking every 45-60 seconds. Reheat time 4-6 minutes.

• Reheat legs and claws just until warm, about 30 seconds less. They reheat quicker.

Microwave Power Level for Reheating Lobster

One of the most important factors in reheating lobster in the microwave is using the correct power level. High power can quickly overcook the delicate meat.

Here are the recommended microwave power levels:

• Smaller amounts (tail, claws): Use 50% power

• Larger amounts (whole lobster): Use 30-40% power

• If unknown microwave wattage: Use the defrost setting

Lower wattage slows down the cooking process, allowing the lobster to heat gradually without getting rubbery. If you are unsure of your microwave wattage, the defrost setting offers a lower, safer power level.

Reheating Times for Lobster in the Microwave

Microwaving lobster requires short cooking times. Check for doneness frequently to avoid overcooking.

Use these microwave times as a guideline:

• Lobster tails (3-4 oz): 45-90 seconds

• Lobster tails (7-8 oz): 90 seconds – 2 minutes

• Lobster claws: 1-2 minutes

• Lobster meat from a whole lobster: 4-6 minutes

Always start with the lowest cooking time range and check for doneness every 30 seconds. Larger tails or whole lobster quantities will need more time. Microwave in brief intervals so you can gauge whether it needs more cooking.

Check that lobster meat has reached 145°F internally upon reheating. This safe temperature ensures any bacteria is killed.

Should You Avoid Reheating Lobster in the Microwave?

While the microwave can reheat lobster nicely, there are some cases where it may be best avoided:

• If reheating a complex lobster dish like lobster mac and cheese or lobster risotto. The textures can suffer.

• If you want to reheat a lot of lobster at once or multiple whole lobsters. It can be tricky to reheat huge amounts evenly.

• If you want to rewarm chilled lobster without fully cooking it through, such as for lobster salad.

• If you’ve already reheated the lobster once before. Reheating lobster more than once makes it rubbery.

For these situations, oven reheating, steaming, or heating on the stovetop may work better to evenly reheat large amounts or complex lobster dishes without overcooking the meat.

Reheating Leftover Lobster without the Microwave

If you prefer not to use the microwave, here are some alternative methods for reheating lobster:

• Oven – Place lobster pieces on a sheet pan and bake at 350°F for 4-6 minutes until warmed through.

• Steaming – Place lobster in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 2-4 minutes until heated through.

• Sautéing – Heat a bit of butter or oil in a pan. Sauté lobster pieces for 1-2 minutes per side.

• Sous vide – Seal lobster in a bag and cook at 145°F for 10-15 minutes to gently reheat.

• Simmering – Gently reheat lobster pieces in simmering butter, stock or sauce for 2-4 minutes.

Monitor the internal temperature when using any reheating method to ensure food safety. Heat leftovers to at least 145°F.

Storing Leftover Lobster for Reheating

Proper storage is key if you don’t plan to reheat lobster right away:

• Allow cooked lobster to cool completely, then store it in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking.

• Place lobster meat in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.