12 delectable lobster recipes that aren’t just dipped in butter

Lobster, or if you’re from New England — Lobstah — is among the most coveted seafood around. Because of this, we have to pay the market price for these overgrown crawfish, which means the cost goes up and down based on supply and demand. The most recent numbers had lobster at almost $18 per pound, and when you think about all the inedible shell, it comes out to a lot more. That’s why canned, pre-cooked lobster is always more expensive than the whole lobster itself.

But let’s forget about the price. Sometimes, we have to indulge. Some of the most popular lobster recipes are the ever-popular New England lobster roll or simply ripping the cooked meat straight from the tail and drenching it with butter. Although lobster is excellent on its own, its dense flesh and unmistakable flavor lend themselves to a wide array of dishes. So, we reached out to renowned chefs and food industry pros to deliver some of the most delicious lobster recipes you can wow your guests with at your next dinner party.

A couple of notes. Some of these recipes call for new shell or hard shell lobsters. Although they are both edible and tasty in their own right, there are some differences. Also, many online seafood providers sell high-quality, pre-cooked lump crab in a can, which you can sub into most of these recipes and never know the difference. It can be easier than dealing with angry, live lobsters.

Grilled new shell lobster with Thai basil gremolata

(Courtesy of Chef Karen Akunowicz)

This recipe comes from James Beard award-winning Chef Karen Akunowicz, owner of the Fox & the Knife and former Top Chef contender. This recipe is deceptively simple. The herbaceous gremolata on the side brings just the right amount of sophistication to the meal without overwhelming the lobster’s delicate flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 live Maine new-shell lobster
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, finely minced
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon shallot, finely minced
• 1 medium garlic clove, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons black Chinkiang vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

Method

1. Turn your grill to high heat and make sure the grates are nice and clean.
2. Remove the claws and tail. Split the tails in half and set them on a sheet tray.
3. Season them with olive oil and kosher salt, and set them aside.
4. In a medium bowl, combine the basil, olive oil, ginger, shallot, garlic, lemon zest, vinegar, salt, and pepper and whisk well. Store in an airtight container if you don’t use it all.
5. Place the claws on the grill in their shell, occasionally flipping for 10 minutes.
6. Using your tongs, place the tail meat side down on the grill for 1 minute.
7. Flip them over and put them shell side down on the grill for two to three minutes.
8. Remove from the shell and smother the insides with the Thai basil gremolata.
9. Have a lobster cracker ready for the claws (careful, they are hot) and dip in gremolata once you remove them from the shell.

Lobster corn chowdah cakes (ebelskivers)

(Courtesy of Lisa Keys)

The creator of the Good Grief Cook blog and the 2014 Chopped Champion, Lisa Keys, brings us this delicious lobster-based appetizer recipe. These ebelskivers (Danish pancakes) infuse the sweet and savory flavors of corn chowder and lobster, then are finished off with spicy sriracha aioli. This perfect flavor profile will make these hot ticket items at your next gathering, so be sure to make a double batch.

Ingredients

For the chowdah cakes (4-6 servings)

• 1 cup of cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided
• 1 cooked lobster tail, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cooked or frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
• 1 green onion, finely chopped, including the light green parts
• 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno
• Fresh green chives for garnish and lemon slices (for garnish)

For the sriracha aioli

• 1/2 cup quality mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons sriracha
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Pinch of white pepper

Method

For the chowdah cakes

1. In a large bowl, whisk cake flour, baking powder, sugar, lemon zest, salt, and pepper; set aside.
2. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, milk, and 3 tablespoons of melted butter.
3. Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients; whisk until blended.
4. Beat egg whites until just stiff peaks form.
5. Fold half the egg whites into the batter to lighten it.
6. Fold in the remaining egg whites until no white streaks remain.
7. Next, fold in lobster, corn, celery, green onions, and jalapeno.
8. Brush the wells of an ebelskiver pan with some of the remaining melted butter and place over medium heat.
9. Fill each well to the top with batter, about 2 tablespoons per well.
10. Cook the cakes for 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly brown and crisp on the bottom.
11. Using 2 wooden skewers, turn the cakes and cook on the other side, for about 2 or 3 minutes more.
12. Transfer to the platter; keep warm in the oven.
13. Repeat with the remaining batter.
14. Serve warm with Sriracha Aioli. Garnish with chives and lemon.

For the sriracha aioli

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl; blend well.

Lobster and roasted corn orecchiette

(Courtesy of Signs & Seasons Cookbook)

This tasty lobster pasta dish comes from the cookbook Signs & Seasons by Monte Farber, Amy Zerner, and Chef John Okas. It’s an excellent summertime dish that utilizes seasonal corn. This dish is fresh and delicious from head to toe. A tip from us; to get even more summertime freshness, try mixing in some garlic scapes with the scallions.

Ingredients (4-6 servings)

• 6 ears of fresh corn, yellow, white, or bicolor
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions, whites and greens
• 1 cup fresh Tomato Sauce
• Pinch of saffron
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1/2 pound cooked lobster meat, cut into small cubes
• 1 pound orecchiette
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup quartered grape tomatoes

Method

1. Preheat a grill or the oven broiler.
2. Place the corn (husks still on) directly on the grill. Turn regularly, until blackened on all sides, but not burned, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool. Remove the husks and as much silk as you can.
3. Using a sharp knife, carefully strip the kernels off the cobs.
4. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the crushed red pepper.
5. Add the scallions, and sauté until they soften for about 2 minutes.
6. Add the tomato sauce and saffron, and stir. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for about 5 minutes.
7. Remove the tomato sauce mixture from the heat, and add the corn kernels, pine nuts, and lobster meat. Cover and set somewhere warm.
8. Meanwhile, bring 6 quarts of well-salted water to a rapid boil. Add the orecchiette, and cook until just short of al dente. Reserve 1 to 2 cups of the cooking water and drain.
9. Return the orecchiette to the pot, and add the corn-lobster mixture. Over low heat, toss the pasta and the sauce.
10. Add the grated Parmesan and continue to toss, adding small amounts of the reserved water, if necessary, to finish cooking the pasta.
11. Divide the pasta into bowls, and garnish each with a scattering of the grape tomatoes.

Shrimp and lobster bisque

(Courtesy of Ready Set Eat)

This classic lobster recipe brought to you by Ready Set Eat has the added plus of a less common ingredient — shrimp. But trust us, no one will be complaining. Although it’s great anytime, be sure to save this recipe for when fall/winter rolls around and serve with some nice crusty bread.

Ingredients

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, deveined, unpeeled
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup dry sherry
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1/4 pound cooked lobster meat, chopped
• Chopped fresh chives, optional

Method

1. Peel shrimp and place shells and broth in a medium saucepan.
2. Heat over medium-low heat until simmering. Simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer and set broth aside.
4. Chop the flesh into bite-size pieces; set aside.
5. Melt butter in a 5-quart saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
6. Stir in shallot and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
7. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
8. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
9. Stir in tomato paste and cook until the bottom of the pan begins to brown, about 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
10. Whisk in sherry until smooth, scraping brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
11. Stir in broth and half-and-half; bring to a gentle boil and cook until thickened, for about 5 minutes.
12. Stir in shrimp and lobster and simmer for 5 minutes, just until shrimp turn pink.
13. Garnish each serving with chives if desired.

Lobster mac and cheese

(Courtesy of NewEngland.com)

This recipe is an adaptation of Cal Hancock’s (The Hancock Gourmet Lobster Company), which beat out Bobby Flay’s version in a 2010 episode of Throwdown. Besides how rich and decadent it is, the great thing about this dish is that you make it in large, sharable batches. Thus, making this lobster dish perfect for a potluck BBQ.

Ingredients

For the pasta

• 1 pound shaped pasta, such as elbows or shells
• 8 tablespoons salted butter, divided
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups light cream
• 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
• Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 8 ounces cooked lobster meat (from about two 1 1/2-pound lobsters), cut into bite-size pieces

For the topping

• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

Method

For the pasta 

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain in a colander, set into the sink, and rinse with cold water to cool. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic; cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
3. Melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter in the saucepan.
4. Whisk in flour and stir until the mixture is light golden brown and glossy, 8 to 10 minutes. Gradually whisk the cream into the flour mixture, increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a simmer.
5. Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring, until mixture is thick, creamy, and smooth, 10 to 15 minutes.
6. Stir onion/garlic mixture and cheeses into cream mixture until melted and smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper; then gently stir in lobster and reserved pasta. Pour the mixture into a 4-quart casserole and smooth the top.

For the topping

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
2. Add breadcrumbs and parsley; cook, stirring, until lightly toasted.
3. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.

For the mac and cheese

1. Bake in preheated oven until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden-brown, for about 10 to 12 minutes.

Chef Lynn Crawford’s lobster deviled eggs

(Courtesy of Reader’s Digest Canada)

Just when you thought they couldn’t make deviled eggs any better, Chef Lynn Crawford has gone and done it by adding lobster. This recipe can get a bit tedious if making large batches, but the eggs themselves are very easy to make. If you plan on serving these at your next get-together, you’ll need to plan on making them for every party from here on out. Because once you give people a taste, they’ll want more.

Ingredients

• 6 hard-boiled eggs peeled and halved lengthwise
• 1/2 cup lobster chopped into small pieces
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons chives finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• Hot sauce to taste
• Salt to taste
• Ground black pepper to taste

Method

1. In a small bowl, combine egg yolks, lobster meat, mayonnaise, mustard, chives, and lemon juice; stir until smooth.
2. Season to taste with hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
3. Fill egg whites with yolk mixture, arrange on a platter and garnish with reserved lobster pieces.
4. Serve immediately.

Easy broiled lobster

(Courtesy of Rima Kleiner, MS, RD)

We get that sometimes you simply want to bask in the glorious flavor that is lobster without incorporating it into a dish with a bunch of other ingredients. This recipe from the Dish on Fish has only a few elements that complement the lobster’s succulent flavor. Be sure to melt extra butter for dipping!

Ingredients

• 4 (4-ounce) lobster tails, fresh or frozen
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• Lemon wedge, for garnish (optional)

Method

1. If frozen, thaw lobster overnight in the refrigerator or in a pot of cold water for 30 minutes or more. Pat dry with a paper towel.
2. Position oven rack to middle of the oven, then preheat to broil. Line a baking sheet with foil, and place lobster tails on a baking sheet.
3. Butterfly the tails: Using sharp kitchen shears, cut down the center of the top of the shell lengthwise, starting from the end opposite the tail fins, continuing down until you reach the tail but without cutting the tail. (Remove any veins, if there are any.) Cut through the top of the shell only (not the bottom shell). Run your finger between the meat and shell to loosen it and spread the meat open a little. Slightly push together the empty shell underneath and place the row of meat on top.
4. Sprinkle lobster with a pinch of salt and pepper.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, garlic, white wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, and parsley. Brush the mixture on the lobster meat.
6. Broil for 12 to 14 minutes or until lobster meat is opaque and slightly browned, or until lobster is cooked through and internal temperature reads 140 to 145 degrees F. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices if desired and serve immediately.

Lobster fried rice

(Courtesy of Executive Chef Josh Carter)

Lola 42 in Boston has graced us with this wonderful lobster fried rice recipe. Fried rice is traditionally a dish designed for leftovers, but when are you ever going to have leftover lobster? This is an occasion where the pre-cooked, canned lobster meat can come into play. A tip: as with all fried rice, you’ll want to cook your rice at least a day ahead of time so that it can have time to dry out. That will allow it to soak up all the oil and other great flavors when incorporated into the mix. Making rice fresh, and then trying to fry it will leave you with a wet, sloppy mess.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 7 ounces lobster meat (poached)
• 6 ounces jasmine rice (cooked)
• 2 whole eggs (scrambled)
• 1/4 cup snow peas (chopped)
• 1/4 cup bell pepper (diced)
• 1/4 cup Chinese broccoli (blanched and sliced)
• 2 teaspoons garlic (minced)
• 2 teaspoons ginger (minced)
• 1 teaspoon hon dashi
• 2 ounces light soy
• 2 ounces smoked shoyu
• 1 tablespoon Fresno pepper (seeded and thinly sliced)
• 1/4 cup bean sprouts
• 1 tablespoon scallions (sliced)
• 1/4 cup micro cilantro
• 1 tablespoon Korean chili threads

Method

1. Heat oil in a wok or large saute pan until oil begins to smoke. Add whipped eggs and scramble until fully cooked.
2. Add all vegetables and lobster and stir fry until vegetables begin to caramelize.
3. Once vegetables are caramelized, add rice and hon dashi and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the smoked shoyu and light soy sauce and cook until the liquid has completely evaporated.
5. Place fried rice on a large plate and garnish with the bean sprouts, Fresno peppers, micro cilantro, and chili thread.

Florida lobster grilled cheese

(Courtesy of Cheeca Lodge & Spa)

Another region known for its lobster, crab, and other great seafood is the Florida Keys. This buttery, grilled delight comes from the iconic Cheeca Lodge and Spa. It’s like a lobster roll but with cheese and Key lime cilantro aioli dipping sauce! What more can you ask for?

Ingredients (4 servings)

For the sandwich

• 2 pounds cooked Florida lobster claw and knuckle meat
• 8 ounces brie cheese
• 8 slices of hearty sourdough bread
• 4 ounces Creole mustard remoulade

For the Creole mustard remoulade

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons grainy or Creole mustard
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon creamed horseradish
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

For the Key lime cilantro aioli

• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 Key lime, juice, and zest of
• 1 -3 drops hot pepper sauce, depending on preference
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 large clove garlic

Method

For the Creole mustard remoulade

1. Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and parsley in a small bowl.
2. Refrigerate until needed (I like to let the flavors sit for a while, but you can serve it immediately).

For the Key lime cilantro aioli

1. Combine all ingredients in a small food processor (or blender) and mix until blended.

For the grilled cheese

1. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked lobster meat and creole mustard remoulade and mix till all ingredients are incorporated. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. Toast the buttered sourdough bread, preferably on a flat top, and then add two slices of brie cheese or enough to cover one slice of the bread.
3. Add 8 ounces of the lobster salad on the other slice and place under the salamander/broiler until the cheese begins to soften.
4. Place the cheese end on top of the lobster then slice in half.
5. Use the Key lime cilantro aioli as a dipping sauce as needed.

Maine lobster ceviche

Courtesy of OLA Miami

If you’re trying to go all out and impress your dinner guest with a fancy meal, this Ceviche recipe from OLA Miami will do the trick. Lobster, like all shellfish, lends itself perfectly to create an excellent ceviche. If you’re wondering why you don’t put this dish on heat, it’s because the acidity of the citrus and vinegar cooks the lobster. Hence, why this dish is served cold. If you’re a little wary and want to make sure you’re not consuming raw lobster, you can let the lobster marinate in the yellow tomato sauce for extra time. Just don’t go too long or the acids will break down the meat and make it soft and spongy.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces of Maine lobster tail
• 4 ounces yellow tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon red onions (finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon green and red jalapeños (finely chopped)
• 2-4 yellow and red grape tomatoes (cut in halves)
• 2 ounces scoop of tomato sorbet
• Pinch of micro cilantro
• Salt to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil (for garnish)

For yellow tomato sauce

• 3 yellow tomatoes
• 4 tablespoons lime juice
• 4 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 tablespoon yuzu
• 1 teaspoon ají amarillo pepper slices
• 1 teaspoon tablespoon salt

For tomato sorbet

• 1 heirloom tomato
• 2 tablespoons simple syrup
• 2 tablespoons moscatel vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon shallot
• 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

Method

For the tomato sauce

1. Chop yellow tomatoes.
2. Add all ingredients together into a blender and puree until mixed.
3. Pass the mixture through a fine strainer to remove any large pieces so you are just left with liquid.
4. Then refrigerate to the desired chill.

For the tomato sorbet

1. Chop tomato, shallot, and garlic clove.
2. Blend all ingredients together until finely pureed.
3. Then pass the mixture through a strainer to remove any large pieces and freeze.

1. Slice the lobster tail meat into thin slices and transfer the slices to a medium bowl.
2. Add yellow tomato sauce, jalapeños, onions, and grape tomatoes to the bowl.
3. Toss to combine and season to taste with salt.
4. Plate ceviche, place the scoop of tomato sorbet on one of the corners of the plate, and then drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and garnish with micro cilantro. Serve immediately.

Lobster roll

(Courtesy of Chef Mark Tarbell)

We have the classic lobster roll. Chef Mark Tarbell of Tarbell’s in Phoenix reached back to his New England roots to create this traditional lobster roll recipe that will knock your socks off. This recipe calls for a from-scratch aioli that, in a pinch, could be substituted with mayonnaise, but we all know scratch-made is always better. Also, add a little chives and celery, and this recipe makes a great lobster salad to eat sans bread.

Ingredients (4 servings)

• 4 brioche or Challah hot dog buns
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 2 dashes Cholula or Gunslinger hot sauce
• 16 ounces neutral-flavored soy/canola oil
• 9 ounces butter-poached lobster meat, knuckles and claws only
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup the tiny white/yellow inner leaves of celery (for garnish)

Method

1. Combine egg, mustard, lemon juice, and hot sauce in a large bowl and blend thoroughly using a stick blender.
2. Transfer to a regular blender.
3. With the blender running on low, very slowly drizzle oil in until the aioli is thick with a creamy mayonnaise-like consistency.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Butter the buns and toast in a skillet until lightly golden.
6. Mix just enough aioli with the lobster to moisten.
7. Mound lobster generously in the buns.
8. Sprinkle lobster with the inner leaves of the celery.

Lobster eggs benedict

Who says you can’t have lobster for breakfast? Lobster eggs benedict takes the classic eggs benedict recipe and elevates it with luxurious lobster.

Ingredients

For the hollandaise sauce

• 3 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and hot
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Salt to taste

For the eggs

• 4 large eggs
• White vinegar (for poaching)

For the assembly

• 2 English muffins, toasted
• 1 lobster tail, cooked and meat removed (around 1/2 cup lobster meat)
• Chives, chopped (for garnish)

Method

1. In a heatproof bowl placed over a pan of simmering water (not boiling), whisk together the egg yolks and lemon juice until it’s frothy and thickened. This process can take 3-5 minutes.
2. Slowly drizzle in the melted butter while continuously whisking until the sauce emulsifies and thickens. Be careful not to overheat the sauce, or it will curdle.
3. Remove from the heat and season with cayenne pepper and salt to taste. Set aside.
4. Fill a large saucepan with about 2 inches of water and bring it to a simmer. Add a splash of white vinegar.
5. Crack each egg into a separate small bowl.
6. Create a vortex in the simmering water by swirling it with a spoon. Gently slip each egg into the center of the vortex.
7. Poach the eggs for 3-4 minutes or until the whites are set and the yolks are runny.
8. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
9. Place a toasted English muffin half on each plate.
10. Top each muffin half with some lobster meat.
11. Carefully place a poached egg on top of the lobster.
12. Spoon hollandaise sauce over each egg, ensuring it coats everything.
13. Garnish with chopped chives and serve immediately.

Tip: You can boil, steam, or grill your lobster tail, depending on your preference. Just ensure it’s cooked through but not rubbery.