That box marked live lobster has arrived on your doorstep, and the anticipation is real. When you open the box, you think about cracking the claws and dipping them in butter, but then you wonder, “Now what?” There are a lot of ways to prepare a whole lobster.
If you don’t want to cook lobster in the oven or because it’s too hot in the kitchen, you can grill it, sous vide it, butter poach it, steam it, and more.
For this article we’re going to break down the ease of how to bake lobster. Split whole lobster baked and basted with garlic-basil butter by.
There’s nothing better than easy clean up. When you bake your lobster, you only need one sheet pan, while other ways of cooking lobster will leave you with pots and dishes. Claws up to skipping the dish hands!.
You can bake or roast a whole lobster without having to touch it. This works especially well if you want to add a crust or stuffing, though we think great lobster doesn’t need stuffing!
While your lobster bakes away in the oven, your kitchen is freed up to prepare your sides. When you bake lobster instead of boiling it, none of the flavors are lost. This lets the meat’s natural sweetness come out more. It also creates an even surface area for a more even cook.
This is a great way to add new flavors to your lobster, and it’s also easy to clean up and doesn’t require any special tools. Have fun with compound butters and seasonings. It can be simple, like with a garlic butter and fresh parsley, or you can go all out with fancy stuffings.
Cooking live lobster in the oven may seem intimidating, but it’s actually a straightforward process that results in incredibly succulent, flavorful seafood. With a few simple steps, you can have tender, juicy lobster baked to perfection right in your own kitchen.
Why Cook Lobster in the Oven?
There are several advantages to baking lobster in the oven compared to other cooking methods:
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Requires minimal preparation and easy cleanup – simply place the lobster on a sheet pan. No pots or steamers needed!
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Allows you to add flavors via herb butters, compound butters, or dry rubs that permeate the meat as it bakes.
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Concentrates flavors unlike boiling or steaming, which can dilute the lobster’s natural sweetness
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Cooks the lobster evenly throughout,
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Frees up stovetop space for sides since it bakes in the oven.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for foolproof oven-baked lobster every time.
Ingredients
- Live lobster (1-1.5 lbs per person)
- Melted butter or olive oil for brushing
- Herbs like parsley, tarragon, thyme (optional)
- Garlic, minced or grated (optional)
- Lemon wedges
- Salt and pepper
Directions
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Prep the lobster: Place live lobster in freezer for 15-20 minutes to sedate it before cooking. This minimizes suffering.
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Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). High heat helps lobster cook fast and evenly.
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Remove rubber bands from claws. Be cautious of snapping claws.
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Make herb butter (optional): Melt butter and mix in herbs, garlic, lemon zest, etc.
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Split lobster lengthwise using sharp chef’s knife. Remove stomach and digestive tract. Crack claws.
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Brush lobster flesh with herb butter. Season with salt and pepper.
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Arrange lobster meat-side up on sheet pan lined with foil for easy cleanup.
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Pour a little water on pan to create steam.
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Roast for 10-15 minutes per pound until opaque. Baste with more butter halfway through.
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Rest 5 minutes before serving with melted butter, lemon wedges, and fresh herbs.
Handy Tips for Oven-Baked Lobster
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For food safety, cook to internal temperature of 140°F.
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Use instant-read thermometer to check doneness, especially for large lobsters.
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Add a splash of white wine or seafood stock to pan for extra moisture and flavor.
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Stuff lobster with breadcrumbs, herbs, or lemon slices before baking.
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Use compound butters with ingredients like garlic, citrus, or spices to add flavor.
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Serve with grilled corn, potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious juices.
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Freeze extra lobster meat to use later in salads, pasta, tacos, etc.
Common FAQs
Still have questions? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking lobster in the oven:
How long does it take to bake live lobster?
- 1-1.5 lbs: 12-15 minutes
- 1.5-2 lbs: 15-18 minutes
- 2+ lbs: 18-22 minutes
What temperature should I bake lobster?
425°F is ideal. High heat helps the lobster cook fast while retaining moisture.
How do I know when lobster is done?
It should be opaque and firm with meat reaching 140°F, especially in the thickest part of the tail.
Can I bake frozen lobster tails?
Yes, increase cooking time by 5 minutes. Thaw first for more even cooking.
Can I flavor the lobster before baking?
Yes! Compound butters, herbs, spices, lemon, and garlic all add fantastic flavor.
What else can I make with baked lobster?
Lobster rolls, lobster mac and cheese, lobster tacos, lobster bisque, lobster ravioli, etc.
Time to Get Baking!
Baking lobster in the oven results in tender, juicy meat with concentrated sweet flavor in under 30 minutes. With just a simple prep, you can have restaurant-quality seafood easily at home. Get ready to impress your family and friends with your foolproof oven-baked lobster!
Baked Lobster Cooking Times
Note the the times for baking is for all lobsters. Be sure to use your instant-read thermoter to check for doneness .
| Lobster Size | Cooking Times |
|---|---|
| 1 pound | 22 minutes |
| 1 ½ pound | 25 minutes |
| 2+ pound | 27 minutes |
How to Bake Whole Lobster
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Unlike some ways of cooking lobster, like steaming, which need special tools, baking lobster doesn’t need anything extra. It might not take more than 30 minutes to make a dinner that will blow your guests away, depending on how big your whole lobster is.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2-4
All successful dishes start with a game plan. To get a whole baked lobster from the oven to the table, you only need a few things and steps.
- Whole live lobster, humanly dispatched
- Heavy-duty sheet pan or baking sheet: The sheet pan should be big enough for the lobster to spread out on, but have a thick enough edge so that the juices don’t spill out. You can line the pan with foil to make cleanup even easier.
- You can play around with the flavors here by using butter or olive oil. If you brush melted butter or olive oil on the lobster’s skin, it will stay moist and any seasonings you add will stick better.
- Seasonings: You can use anything from a little fine sea salt and pepper to your favorite seafood seasoning.
- A great way to make sure you reach your goal temperature of 140 degrees is with an instant read thermometer. If you’re not sure, check the temperature! Always do it from the thickest part of the meat. Make sure the thermometer doesn’t hit the shell, which would give you a higher reading.
- Melted butter and lemon wedges for serving.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- On the lobster’s back, make a deep, sharp cut that goes all the way through the body and tail. Remove the roe and stomach. You can also cut lobsters in half vertically to make two pieces. This makes it simple to marinate or season to add more flavor.
- Place the lobster on a roasting pan with the meat side up and the shell side down. Brush butter or oil over the exposed lobster meat. Add any seasonings you desire.
- If you want to make some steam, you can add a splash of water.
- Check on the lobster every 15 minutes during the 22–27 minutes it’s in the preheated oven. At this point, you can add more flavored butter if you want to.
- Serve with melted butter and lemon wedges if desired.
- Author: Lobster Louie
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: AMerican
- Diet: Gluten Free