12 Best Lobster Recipes

Remove lobster tails from grill — The Spruce / Victoria Heydt

Whether you live in New England or the middle of the country, you can enjoy succulent lobster with these delicious recipes. If you've never prepared your own crustacean, never fear: We have tips on how to choose and cook these spiny critters, too. Including preparations for both whole, fresh lobster and lobster meat, you can enjoy the decadent-tasting shellfish for many different meals and any occasion.

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Grilled Lobster Tails

The Spruce / Victoria Heydt

Even novice shellfish fans can cook up a simple grilled lobster tail recipe guaranteed to please any crowd. These directions assume you have frozen or fresh tails; if you start with a live lobster, you’ll have to parboil it first. Use either butter or olive oil for this preparation or try both; one for grilling, one to serve as a succulent dipping sauce. You really can’t go wrong!
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Lobster Macaroni Salad

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This easy and versatile macaroni salad uses just mayonnaise, lemon juice, and a few simple herbs as well as delicious lobster meat. Try to avoid assertive ingredients like bell pepper or red onion, which may overwhelm the delicate seafood. Serve it for an upgraded barbecue or backyard party side.
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Gluten-Free Lobster Bisque

The Spruce / Teri Lee Gruss

A silky lobster bisque makes an excellent beginning to an elegant meal or a lovely light lunch and you don't have to forego it if you avoid gluten. This version uses rice flour instead of the regular kind for thickening, so it works great for those with food sensitivities.
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Basic Boiled Lobster

The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

If you have never boiled a lobster at home before, here's a simple and easy recipe anyone can follow. Adding a piece of seaweed gives the meat a nice, briny flavor, but feel free to omit it if you can't get ahold of seaweed or don't like the sea-forward taste.

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05 of 12

Lobster Stew

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

For a seafood stew that comes out hearty enough to make a meal, look no further than this decadent lobster stew. With heavy cream, butter, and of course, lobster, it's perfect for a chilly day. You will want some crusty bread to soak up the delicious excess.
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Okra Stew With Prawns and Lobster Tails

The Spruce/Cara Cormack

For a tantalizing taste of Ghana, try this deeply flavorful okra stew chock full of squid, fish fillets, prawns, and lobster tails. Palm fruit oil gives it that signature flavor, but you can also add smoked paprika to vegetable oil if you can't find it.
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Lobster Cantonese

The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi

Salty, spiced, and definitely unique, this Cantonese lobster preparation will delight your taste buds and change your perspective on how to make your favorite shellfish. Serve it over white rice to get the most out of this deeply flavorful sauce.
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Baked Stuffed Lobster

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

New Year's, birthdays, dinner parties, or any other special occasions call for this impressive meal. Stuff lobster with a savory cracker mixture and then bake it for a main dish that looks and tastes like a million bucks. Even novice cooks can pull it off.

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09 of 12

Lobster Thermidor

The Spruce / Ali Redmond

While lobster thermidor does require quite a few steps, it will all feel worth it once you dig in. Fresh tarragon really makes a difference, so spring for the good stuff and don't skimp on the sherry. The combination will turn the béchamel sauce into a revelation.
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Lobster Pizza

Alexandra Grablewski / Getty Image

Yes, you can put lobster on a pizza to combine two of your favorite foods into one amazing meal. This recipe includes instructions for boiling the lobsters, but you can make this with leftover lobster meat or frozen tails, too. It takes some time but trust us, you'll love the results.
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Classic Lobster Salad

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Nothing beats fresh, citrusy lobster salad on a hot day after a long afternoon of boating—or really any time! It tastes wonderful over a bed of lettuce, on soft buns, garnished with chopped tomato and cucumber and perhaps some ripe avocado.
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Chilled Lobster With Mimosa Dressing

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

For a light appetizer to kick off a fancy dinner party, try these broiled lobster tails with orange and champagne vinegar mimosa dressing. A little honey adds a sweetness that contrasts well with the tart vinegar and sour orange juice for a delicate flavor that your guests will love.

What Is Spiny Lobster?