As seafood lovers know, lobster base is a key ingredient in many delicious dishes like bisques, chowders, and pasta recipes. This savory paste made from lobster provides rich, briny flavor and that distinctive pinkish-red color. But what if you don’t have lobster base on hand when a recipe calls for it? Not to worry – there are plenty of easy lobster base substitutes using common ingredients.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what lobster base is, when it’s used, and how to replicate it if you’ve run out. We’ve also compiled 8 of the best lobster base substitutes, from homemade options to handy store-bought products.
What is Lobster Base?
Lobster base starts with lobsters caught in the frigid North Atlantic. The meat is cooked then processed into a concentrated paste or base product along with lobster juices and shells. This captures the hearty, sweet flavor of lobster in a shelf-stable form that keeps for a long time.
When preparing recipes, lobster base is typically mixed with water or other liquids to form a stock. Just a small amount imparts rich, briny lobster essence. The paste dissolves evenly to give soups and sauces that distinctive pinkish hue.
Pre-made lobster base can be purchased in jars or aseptic cartons. You can also make it from scratch by cooking and blending whole lobsters. Either way, it’s an easy shortcut for infusing dishes with robust lobster flavor without using expensive whole lobster meat.
When is Lobster Base Used?
Here are some classic recipes that traditionally rely on lobster base
- Lobster bisque
- Seafood chowders
- Lobster ravioli with creamy pink sauce
- Lobster risotto
- Bouillabaisse and cioppino
- Lobster mac and cheese
- Any seafood pasta dish
A little lobster base goes a long way. Just a teaspoon or two mixed into broths, sauces, pasta dishes, risottos, or chowders provides plenty of flavor.
8 Best Substitutes for Lobster Base
If you don’t have lobster base on hand, don’t let that stop you from enjoying delicious seafood dishes! Here are some easy homemade and store-bought alternatives:
1. Tomato Paste
Blend tomato paste with clam juice or seafood stock to mimic the color and flavor of lobster base. The tomato paste provides a bright, concentrated flavor and pinkish hue. Simply thin it with shellfish liquid for a quick homemade lobster base substitute.
2. Lobster Bisque
Canned lobster bisque is nearly identical to lobster base. Just dilute it with cream, broth, or stock depending on the recipe. The flavored liquid gives you the same great taste and salmon-pink color as standard lobster base.
3. Dashi Stock
The Japanese broth called dashi makes an excellent substitute thanks to its rich, savory seafood essence. Look for instant dashi made with dried shrimp, scallops, bonito flakes, and kombu seaweed for the closest flavor.
4. Miso Paste
Like dashi, miso paste is another umami-rich Japanese pantry staple that stands in nicely for lobster base. Blend it with hot stock or water to thin it out, then enrich with a bit of butter. The salty fermented soybean paste approximates the mouthfeel of lobster base.
5. DIY Shrimp Base
For an authentic homemade version, simmer shrimp shells in a small amount of liquid to extract their flavor. Blend with aromatics like garlic, onion, and celery. Strain and use in any recipe calling for lobster base.
6. Beef Bouillon
In a pinch, dissolve a beef bouillon cube in hot water as an acceptable flavor substitute. It won’t mimic the taste exactly but still provides savory richness.
7. Lobster Pâté
Found with canned tuna, this spreadable lobster paste makes a quick and easy stand-in. Use it straight from the container or warm it to blend into sauces and stocks.
8. Stock from Lobster Shells
As a last resort, make your own stock by simmering lobster shells, tails, and claws in water, then straining out the solids. Use it straight or boosted with tomato paste and seasonings.
With these handy options, you can still enjoy your favorite lobster dishes even without premade base on hand. Keep some canned lobster bisque, shrimp, bouillon cubes, or tomato paste ready in your pantry to whip up easy substitutes when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lobster base the same as lobster bisque?
Lobster bisque and lobster base are very similar products, but not identical. Bisque is made from a seasoned, creamy soup base flavored primarily with lobster. Lobster base is a more concentrated paste made solely from lobsters for mixing into recipes as needed. Both provide rich lobster essence and color for cooking.
Can I make homemade lobster base?
Yes! To make your own from scratch, cook whole lobsters in water with aromatic veggies like onions, celery, garlic, and carrots. Blend the meat, shells and cooking liquid until smooth. Strain out any solids and season to taste. Now you have your own homemade lobster base to use in recipes.
What’s the best substitute for lobster base in bisque?
Lobster bisque itself makes the ideal substitute in lobster bisque recipes, since it provides the exact same flavor and color you need. For home cooks without access to lobster bisque, try tomato paste mixed with seafood stock or our DIY shrimp base instead.
Can I use shrimp base instead of lobster base?
Shrimp base makes an excellent flavor substitute for lobster base thanks to its rich, briny notes. Prepare it by simmering shrimp shells in stock or water to extract their essence. For color, add a little tomato paste or natural food dye to turn it pinkish. Use it the same way you would regular lobster base.
So for anyone lacking that precious jar of lobster base, don’t abandon your culinary plans! With a pantry full of quick fixes like tomato paste, seafood stocks, bouillon cubes, and canned bisque, you can still put together fantastic bisques, pastas, risottos and more. Get creative with these easy substitutions so you can enjoy delicious lobster-flavored dishes anytime.
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