Where Can I Buy Cooked Lobster Meat? Your Guide to Buying and Cooking Fresh Lobster

Lobster is one of the most decadent and delicious seafood treats around With its sweet, briny flavor and tender meat, it’s no wonder why lobster is a luxury food item While you can often find live lobsters or raw lobster tails at your local grocery store or fish market, finding cooked lobster meat can be a bit more challenging. If you don’t have time to cook a live lobster yourself or want to use lobster meat as an ingredient in recipes, buying pre-cooked lobster meat can be a great option.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about buying pre-cooked lobster meat so you can enjoy this seafood delicacy at home. We’ll discuss where to buy cooked lobster meat, how to choose quality lobster meat, how to store and reheat leftover lobster meat, and some delicious ways to use lobster meat in recipes. We’ll also provide tips for cooking live lobsters and lobster tails yourself for the freshest seafood experience. Let’s dive in!

Where to Buy Pre-Cooked Lobster Meat

Finding high-quality pre-cooked lobster meat can take a bit of searching, as not all stores carry it. Here are some of the best places to buy cooked lobster meat:

• Online seafood retailers – Companies like Lobster Anywhere Lobster Gram and The Lobster Company ship fresh cooked lobster meat overnight packed in dry ice. This is often the easiest way to get lobster meat.

• Local fish markets or seafood counters – Check with fish markets and high-end grocery store seafood counters in your area to see if they carry cooked lobster meat. This allows you to inspect the quality in person.

• Seafood restaurants – Many restaurants that serve lobster will sell cooked lobster meat over the counter that they use in their dishes. Call ahead to check availability and pricing.

• Maine seafood shacks – If you’re visiting Maine, seafood shacks and lobster pounds sell fresh-picked lobster meat. Grab some to go!

• Costco or Sam’s Club – Warehouse clubs often carry cooked lobster meat in their freezers, typically in multi-pound packs.

What to Look for When Buying Lobster Meat

When buying pre-cooked lobster meat, you’ll want to get the best quality. Here’s what to look for:

• Color – The lobster meat should have a translucent white, pearly color showing no signs of graying or yellowing. Bright white indicates overcooking.

• Texture – Quality lobster meat should be firm and resilient, not mushy or pasty. When squeezed it should feel springy.

• Size – Look for large chunks of meat, not shredded or stringy pieces. Different parts of the lobster have different textures.

• Smell – Raw lobster meat should have a mild briny seafood smell. It should never have a strong fishy or ammonia odor.

• Packages – The lobster meat should be vacuum sealed in bags with no signs of leakage. The sell by date should be clearly marked.

• Labeling – Look for labels indicating Maine lobster, wild caught, no preservatives or additives. Processing dates and sustainably sourced claims are also good signs.

• Price – High-quality pre-cooked lobster meat is expensive, often $25 to $40+ per pound. Very cheap lobster meat is likely lower quality.

Storing and Reheating Leftover Lobster Meat

Cooked lobster meat is highly perishable and does not hold well after being cooked. Here are some tips for storing and reheating any leftover lobster meat:

• Store lobster meat in an airtight container and place in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Use within 1-2 days for best quality. Do not freeze reheated lobster meat.

• To reheat, place lobster meat pieces in a colander or steamer basket over a pot of gently simmering water. Cover and steam just until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.

• Alternatively, you can reheat lobster meat gently in the microwave at 50% power. Go slowly to prevent toughening the texture.

• Add leftover lobster meat to salads, sandwiches, pasta, or dip warm in drawn butter. Just avoid reheating more than once.

Simple Recipes for Cooked Lobster Meat

Cooked lobster meat adds luxurious flavor and texture to all kinds of dishes. Here are some easy ways to use pre-cooked lobster meat at home:

• Lobster rolls – The classic sandwich is made by mixing lobster meat with mayo, lemon, and celery, and serving over a grilled and buttered split-top bun.

• Lobster mac and cheese – Chopped lobster meat turns the comfort food classic into an elegant dish. Stir lobster into cheesy macaroni and top with breadcrumbs.

• Lobster tacos – Warm tortillas stuffed with lobster meat, pico de gallo, avocado, and a spritz of lime are simple yet amazing.

• Lobster salad – Toss chunks of lobster with fresh greens, vegetables, and citrus vinaigrette for a gourmet spin on salad.

• Lobster bisque – Puree cooked lobster shells into a rich seafood broth, finishing with cream and sherry. Garnish bowls with lobster meat.

• Lobster ravioli – Homemade or store-bought stuffed pasta gets an instant upgrade mixed with lobster meat and creamy alfredo sauce.

How to Cook Live Lobsters and Lobster Tails

While buying pre-cooked lobster meat is convenient, starting with raw live lobsters or lobster tails allows you to control the freshness and cook them just how you like. Here are some tips for cooking lobster yourself:

• Live lobsters – Drop live lobsters head first into rapidly boiling salted water. Cook 8-10 minutes for 1 lb lobsters, adding 3 minutes for each additional pound.

• Lobster tails – Use kitchen shears to cut through the top of the shell. Grill, broil, bake or steam 9-11 minutes until opaque.

• Remove the meat – Once cooked, twist and crack the tails, claws, and knuckles. Use lobster crackers and picks to extract the meat.

• Serve lobster pieces – Serve the cooked lobster warm with drawn butter, lemon wedges, and lobster picks for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

The Takeaway

Lobster meat takes seafood recipes over the top with its succulent texture and sweet brininess. While live and raw lobster require work, buying pre-cooked lobster meat allows you to easily enjoy this luxe ingredient at home. Look for quality pre-cooked lobster meat at online seafood retailers, local fish markets, restaurants, and warehouse clubs. Store leftovers carefully and use in salads, pastas, tacos, and more. Follow tips for choosing, storing, and reheating to get the most out of lobster meat. With this guide, you can treat yourself to tasty lobster even without cooking it yourself.