Whether you want to eat it right out of the shell, chop up the meat in a seafood dip, or add a shellfish kick to your famous ravioli recipe, lobster offers a fresh change of pace and an elegant addition to your meal. If you'd rather enjoy it from the comfort of your own dining table, ditch the restaurant reservations and prepare it at home.

From Maine Waters to Your Table

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Regardless of where you live, a lobster dinner requires only a couple days' preparation. The most convenient option is to order live lobster online for overnight shipping. It arrives the following day, so plan to prepare it for dinner that evening. Seafood suppliers sell lobster cooked or uncooked based on your preferences.

The amount of lobster you need depends on the size of your party. Plan to order at least 1.5 pounds of lobster per person to ensure everyone walks away with a full stomach. Ordering a few extra pounds might prove practical when planning a large event or get-together.

Steaming Lobster

For tender meat and authentic seafood flavor, steam your lobster in a large pot full of saltwater. Simply add sea salt to a large pot of water, bring it to a boil, and slip each lobster into a steamer rack over the pot. Keep the water at a boil for 14 minutes for a 1.5-pound lobster and add 2 minutes for every half-pound over that weight. Move the lobsters every few minutes to guarantee even cooking.

Boiling Lobster

If you're running behind schedule, consider boiling the lobster to shave a few minutes off the cooking time. Instead of setting the lobsters in a steamer rack, slip them into a large pot of boiling water. Boil 1.5 pounds of lobster for approximately 11 minutes, adding an extra minute per quarter-pound of lobster.

Alternate Options for Cooking Lobster

Depending on your recipe and time constraints, other options exist for cooking lobster. If you want to grill or poach your lobsters, you'll need to kill them first. Add them to boiling water for 1–2 minutes, then remove the meat from the claws and tail.

Enjoying Lobster

If you desire the full lobster experience, serve each person a whole lobster with a set of seafood crackers and a dish of butter. For easy clean-up, line the table with newsprint or butcher paper and hand out seafood bibs to protect clothing. If you order a live lobster kit online, all the ingredients you need come in the box.

Lobster also tastes delicious when added to more complex recipes. Pasta dishes, tacos, soups, bisque, and casseroles often feature lobster. Chop up the lobster meat to sprinkle over a garden salad or stuff it in a New England bun for instant lobster rolls.

You don't need a degree from a culinary school to prepare fresh lobster at home. Grab the biggest pot in your pantry, roll up your sleeves, and prepare for a mouth-watering meal.