HOW TO COOK PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND LOBSTER
HUNGRY FOR PEI LOBSTER? THEN LET’S GET COOKING!
Boiled? Steamed? Grilled? No matter how you decide to cook up your next feed of fresh PEI Lobster, your belly will thank you for it.
Directions
- Use a large pot, don’t crowd the lobsters!
- Generous amount of salt.
- Remove rubber bands from lobsters!
- Place head first into boiling water; bring back to boil, then reduce to simmer.
- For additional batches of lobster, the water must be returned to a rolling boil, otherwise subsequent batches will be undercooked.
Cooking Time
- 18–20 minutes or longer for larger lobsters.
TIP: try using seawater for a natural salty taste!
Directions
- Set steaming rack inside the pot, and then bring two inches of water to a boil.
- Place the lobster on the rack and cover.
Cooking Time
- Steam 1-lb lobsters about 15 minutes; 2-lb lobsters about 20 minutes.
Directions
- For something a little different, try grilling a lobster tail! Lobster tails are available fresh or frozen.
- Thaw and split down belly side.
- Brush with olive oil or melted butter and seasonings.
Cooking Time
- Place meat side down on very hot grill for 3 minutes.
- Flip, add more butter or oil and cook for another 5 minutes — yum!
HOW TO TELL WHEN LOBSTER IS COOKED
- Try tugging on antennae or legs - if they pull off, your lobster is done!
- Cooked lobster meat should be firm and white, and not translucent
- Cooking time is determined by lobster size and not by combined weight
- When in doubt, it's best to not overcook!
Ready to get creative in the kitchen?
Check out our tasty PEI Lobster recipes >>
MORE PEI LOBSTER KITCHEN TIPS
REMOVE THE RUBBER BANDS
Removing the bands before cooking will eliminate any taste of rubber on your delicious lobster. To safely remove the bands, grasp the claws firmly and cross them over one another. With your free hand, slip off the rubber bands one claw at a time then place the lobster quickly into the pot. Voila!
Removing the bands before cooking will eliminate any taste of rubber on your delicious lobster. To safely remove the bands, grasp the claws firmly and cross them over one another. With your free hand, slip off the rubber bands one claw at a time then place the lobster quickly into the pot. Voila!
USE SEA WATER OR SEA SALT
When cooking lobster, when possible use water straight from the source — fresh sea water! Don’t happen to have an ocean in your backyard? For every 1 gallon of water you use, add 1/4 cup of sea salt to get that fresh salt water effect.
When cooking lobster, when possible use water straight from the source — fresh sea water! Don’t happen to have an ocean in your backyard? For every 1 gallon of water you use, add 1/4 cup of sea salt to get that fresh salt water effect.
PLACE IN ICE BATH TO COOL
Once your PEI Lobsters turn bright red and are done cooking, remove from the boiling water with tongs and gently place them into an ice water bath to cool them so you can dig into that tasty lobster meat even faster. If not eating them right away, store them on their backs to keep in the delicious juices!
Once your PEI Lobsters turn bright red and are done cooking, remove from the boiling water with tongs and gently place them into an ice water bath to cool them so you can dig into that tasty lobster meat even faster. If not eating them right away, store them on their backs to keep in the delicious juices!
STORING LIVE LOBSTER
Don't submerge live lobster in water or ice- they are saltwater creatures and fresh water will kill them. Instead, simply keep in an open large container or cardboard box within your fridge, and cover with wet paper towel or cloth until you're ready to cook.
Don't submerge live lobster in water or ice- they are saltwater creatures and fresh water will kill them. Instead, simply keep in an open large container or cardboard box within your fridge, and cover with wet paper towel or cloth until you're ready to cook.
FREEZING
Live lobster should never be frozen but cooked lobster freezes well! For best results, the cooked meat should be removed from the shell and placed in plastic containers, glass bottles or freezer bags. Prepare a brine solution of 1/4 cup (50 ml) sea salt to each quart (litre) of fresh water. Pour this over the lobster so that all the meat is covered, leaving a 1/2 inch headspace. Place in your freezer until you're ready to use it!
Live lobster should never be frozen but cooked lobster freezes well! For best results, the cooked meat should be removed from the shell and placed in plastic containers, glass bottles or freezer bags. Prepare a brine solution of 1/4 cup (50 ml) sea salt to each quart (litre) of fresh water. Pour this over the lobster so that all the meat is covered, leaving a 1/2 inch headspace. Place in your freezer until you're ready to use it!
DEFROSTING
It's time to enjoy that delicious PEI lobster you stashed away in your freezers this fall. Place the frozen lobster in your refrigerator for 15-20 hours to have it naturally thaw slowly. If you placed the lobster and brine in a plastic bag, you can run it under running water for a faster defrost.
It's time to enjoy that delicious PEI lobster you stashed away in your freezers this fall. Place the frozen lobster in your refrigerator for 15-20 hours to have it naturally thaw slowly. If you placed the lobster and brine in a plastic bag, you can run it under running water for a faster defrost.
PURCHASE PEI LOBSTER BASED ON WHAT YOU’RE COOKING UP
Many markets sell fresh and frozen PEI Lobster in a variety of product types.
LIVE LOBSTER
When you want the full prince Edward Island experience, purchase live lobster to cook up at home like Islanders do and ‘crack into it’.
COOKED LOBSTER
If you’re looking for ready to enjoy product you can purchase PEI lobster in a variety of forms including whole cooked, tails and meat! It doesn’t get easier than that!
RAW PRODUCTS
No matter what your recipe calls for, we’ve got you covered! Raw lobster product comes in many forms for you to easily prepare at home. You can order whole product, tails, meat and brine- recipes made easy!
We recommend calling markets directly to discuss their product and shipping options. Visit our MARKET PAGE for a listing of PEI markets.
NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS WILD CAUGHT CANADIAN LOBSTER
NEED TO STORE YOUR PEI LOBSTER BEFORE SERVING IT UP?
HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP LIVE LOBSTER?
Including how long it took to ship to you, live lobster can usually be kept for a maximum of two days as long as you have followed proper storage instructions.
HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP COOKED LOBSTER?
If your cooked lobster is still in the shell, it can be kept in your fridge within a covered container for up to two days. If your cooked meat has been shucked, keep it in a covered container within your fridge for two to three days... if you can keep from eating it for that long!
Including how long it took to ship to you, live lobster can usually be kept for a maximum of two days as long as you have followed proper storage instructions.
HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP COOKED LOBSTER?
If your cooked lobster is still in the shell, it can be kept in your fridge within a covered container for up to two days. If your cooked meat has been shucked, keep it in a covered container within your fridge for two to three days... if you can keep from eating it for that long!
POPULAR RECIPES
Breaking Down PEI Lobster
How to Grill PEI Lobster
Making PEI Lobster Quiche
Garlic Butter Grilled PEI Lobster