Craving lobster recipes that feel restaurant-worthy but are totally doable at home? This curated collection covers everything from buttery lobster tails and dreamy lobster pasta to summer-perfect lobster rolls- with pro tips on buying, cooking and serving.
How to Buy Lobster (Fresh, Frozen, Tails & Meat)
Before we get into these lobster recipes, knowing how, when and where to buy lobster is essential first. Then we can get into the fun stuff: how to eat lobster.
Live Lobster
Although not necessary to buy fresh, you can usually find live lobster at your local seafood market.
- Pick lively, not lethargic. Look for curled tails, moving antennae, and firm, heavy bodies for their size. Avoid cracked shells or missing limbs (unless deeply discounted as “culls”).
- Hard-shell vs. new-shell:
- Hard-shell = more meat, slightly brinier, great for grilling/broiling.
- New-shell/soft-shell = sweeter, more tender, but lower meat-to-shell yield.
- Storage/transport: Keep cold and damp, never submerged in fresh water. Cook the same day if possible. Do not cook a dead lobster (unless it was just dispatched on site).
- Humane handling: Chill in the fridge or on ice for 15-20 minutes before dispatching; this calms the lobster and firms meat.
Frozen Tails
Buying frozen lobster is the most common method for home chefs.
- Cold-water > warm-water. Cold-water tails (Maine/Canada/South Africa/New Zealand) are firmer, sweeter, and less prone to mushiness than many warm-water tails.
- Read the label: Look for “Product of …” origin, “dry” (not “soaked”), and avoid additives like STPP (can make texture spongy).
- Visual checks: Shell should be intact; no blackening at the edges, no freezer burn, minimal ice glaze (a thin protective layer is OK).
- Thaw right: 12-24 hours in the fridge on a rack over a tray; pat dry before cooking for better browning.
Pre-Picked Lobster Meat
Not in the mood to cut your own lobster? No problem!
- Best for rolls, pasta, dips, and bisque.
- Drain & dry: Gently blot before folding into mayo or butter to prevent watery sauces.
- Claw/knuckle vs tail: Claw/knuckle meat = ultra-tender and sweet; tail meat = firmer and great where texture matters. A mix offers the best of both.
Reader-Favorite Lobster Recipes
Whether steamed, turned into a soup or stuffed into a pasta, these lobster recipes are all-time favorites.
Lobster Rolls
Hot Lobster Roll
Perfect for a light lunch or dinner and served on a split top bun, the BEST Hot Lobster Rolls are a regional dish popular dish from Connecticut!
See The Recipe! 
Cold Lobster Roll
This classic Cold Lobster Rolls recipe is a popular dish in New England. They are delicious, only use a handful of ingredients and are so EASY to make!
See The Recipe! 
Garlic Butter Naked Lobster Rolls
Garlic Butter Naked Lobster Rolls Recipe – delicious garlic butter lobster rolls sandwich with no mayonnaise for a rich, flavorful naked lobster roll everyone will love!
See The Recipe! Lobster Pasta
Creamy Lobster Pasta Recipe
Creamy lobster pasta with succulent lobster meat, garlic, roast tomatoes, and lemon. Ready in 30 minutes—an elegant lobster pasta recipe for weeknights or date night.
See The Recipe! 
Mediterranean Lobster Ravioli Sauce
Similar to a garlic butter sauce, but with a few simple additions, this sauce is the perfect complement to Mediterranean Lobster Ravioli!
See The Recipe! 
Lobster Mac and Cheese
Sweet lobster, creamy cheese & a crunchy panko topping come together to make the BEST Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe! Perfect for any elegant or casual meal!
See The Recipe! Creamy Lobster Bisque and Soups
Creamy Lobster Bisque
This creamy lobster bisque combines sweet lobster meat with aromatic vegetables and a hint of sherry for an unforgettable meal or starter.
See The Recipe! 
Lobster Bisque
This amazing Lobster Bisque recipe, made with fresh lobster, shallots and a bit of tobasco for heat, is the best lobster bisque soup ever!
See The Recipe! 
Spicy Corn and Lobster Chowder
Perfectly spiced, creamy and hearty, this Spicy Corn and Lobster Chowder is comfort in a bowl!
See The Recipe! Lobster Tails
How to Grill Lobster Tails
Easy Grilled Lobster Tails using a lemon garlic butter sauce. Ready in less than 20 minutes. Sweet, succulent and delicious!
See The Recipe! 
Best Broiled Lobster Tail Recipe
Broiled Lobster Tails are seasoned and basted with lemon butter (and a secret ingredient!) Ready in just 10 minutes!
See The Recipe! 
Instant Pot Lobster Tails
The Best Easy Instant Pot Lobster Tails Recipe – tender, delicious lobster tails cooked to perfection using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker!
See The Recipe! 
Lemon Garlic Butter Broiled Lobster Tails
High-end restaurant quality Lemon Garlic Butter Broiled Lobster Tails bursting with flavor in under 15 minutes for a beginner friendly romantic recipe
See The Recipe! Whole Steamed Lobster
How to humanely kill a live lobster, how to steam lobster, how long to cook a lobster by pound and step-by-step images for eating whole lobster!
See The Recipe! Baked and Stuffed Lobster
Stuffed Lobster Tail
Crab Stuffed Lobster Tails is the ideal dinner for a special occasion. You won’t beleive how easy they are to make!
See The Recipe! 
Whole Stuffed Lobster
If you're looking for an elegant yet easy dinner, this Whole Stuffed Lobster recipe is for you! Made with simple pantry ingredients, it's sure to impress!
See The Recipe! 
Baked Cod with Lobster Topping
Tender Bake Cod topped with buttery lobster chunks in a creamy topping and finished with velvety beurre blanc sauce.
See The Recipe! Lobster Appetizers and Sides
Cold Lobster Salad
Lobster Salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner! Serve on top of greens or even in a roll, which is known as a Cold Lobster Roll or New England Roll.
See The Recipe! 
Slow Cooker Cheesy Lobster Shrimp and Crab Dip
This Slow Cooker Cheesy Lobster Shrimp and Crab Dip is the perfect comfort food for any seafood lover and it’s a great appetizer for parties and game day snacks!
See The Recipe! 
Easy Garlic Butter Lobster Skillet
This Easy garlic butter lobster skillet recipe is bursting with flavor and great over pasta, rice, vegetables – or just straight out of the pan!
See The Recipe! 
Creamy Lobster Dip
Made in the slow cooker, this Creamy Lobster Dip is easy to make and perfect for serving at parties!
See The Recipe! 
Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms
If you’ve ever wondered how to make lobster stuffed mushrooms, this Lobster Stuffed Mushroom recipe is the best! It’s a great Red Lobster stuffed mushrooms copycat recipe.
See The Recipe! 
Lobster Mashed Potatoes
This Lobster Mashed Potatoes recipe is not only incredibly easy, but totally jaw-dropping. If you’re looking for the best lobster mashed potato recipe, you’ve found it!
See The Recipe! 
Easy Lobster Risotto
The Best Easy Lobster Risotto Recipe – easy, delicious, and creamy lobster risotto in just one pot!
See The Recipe! Sauces, Butters and Seasoning Ideas
Once you know how you’re going to prepare it, make sure to pair your lobster recipes with the best sauces and seasonings. Here are some of my favorites.
- Brown butter, lemon-garlic butter, drawn butter, tarragon butter
- Light pan sauces: white wine-shallot, saffron cream
- Finishing salts, citrus zest, fresh herbs (tarragon, chives, parsley)
Yummy! I love these recipes! I can’t wait to try the rest of them! I’m so excited!
Thank you for this! My husband loves lobster. Can’t wait to try them all!