How I Make Lobster Feel Easy (With My Favorite Recipes): I’m sharing my top tips for How I Make Perfect Lobster, Everytime – and the Top Lobster Recipes I Make Time and Time Again. This post is everything you need to make a knockout, perfect lobster every time – from Whole Boiled Lobster to Broiled Lobster Tails – and tons of tasty recipes in between.

I love making lobster for New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day – it’s romantic and indulgent, and feels fancy – but it’s really easy to make at home, even for beginners.

Be sure to check the recipes, and also my handy lobster cooking tips below!

My Favorite Easy Lobster Recipes

These recipes are quick, easy, and always bring a ton of perfect buttery sweet lobster flavor!

How to Prep Whole Lobster for Recipes

If you want to make a whole lobster, you’ll need to bookmark these tips:

Quick Guide: How to Prep a Whole Lobster for Cooking

• Keep It Cold: Store the lobster in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. Cold lobsters are calmer and easier to handle.
• Rinse Quickly: Rinse the lobster under cold running water to remove any grit or debris from the shell and claws.
• Remove the Rubber Bands: Take off the rubber bands from the claws right before cooking. This ensures even cooking and prevents rubber from melting or affecting flavor.
• Check That It’s Alive: A live lobster should move its claws or tail when handled. Cooking lobster humanely requires it to be alive right before cooking.
• Decide If You’re Cooking Whole or Dispatching First: I personally prefer to always humanely dispatch first, instead of boiling, but ultimately the choice is up to you.
  • Cooking whole: You can place the lobster directly into boiling water or steam.
  • Dispatching first (optional): Use a sharp knife to quickly pierce the head just behind the eyes for a more humane method before cooking.

Pro Tips for Cooking Whole Lobster

Have your pot or steamer fully ready before removing the lobster from the fridge.

Use tongs or gloves if you’re nervous handling the lobster.

Always cook lobster the same day you buy it for best quality.

How to Clean Cooked Whole Lobster

After cooking a whole lobster, you will need to clean it for eating. This can easily be done with the following steps:

1. Remove the claws and tail by twisting them off the body.
2. Crack the claws using a lobster cracker or the back of a knife and remove the meat.
3. Twist the tail shell off and slide out the meat.
4. Remove the dark vein running along the tail, if present.
5. Discard the tomalley (green substance) and roe unless you plan to use them.

Tip: Kitchen shears make trimming shell pieces and cleaning much easier.

How to Prep Lobster Tails To Cook

Prepping lobster tails is a bit easier than whole lobsters, but it is still important to get the prep right.

Butterfly vs Cut Open Lobster Tails: Tips for Each Method

Both methods work well — the best choice depends on how you’re cooking the lobster and how you want it to look.

When to Butterfly a Lobster Tail

Butterflying means cutting the shell and lifting the meat to sit on top.

Best for:

• Broiling or grilling
• Butter-poached or butter-finished lobster
• Serving guests or special occasions

Tips for Butterflying:

• Use kitchen shears, not a knife — lobster shells are tough.
• Cut straight down the center of the shell, stopping before the tail fin.
• Gently loosen the meat with your fingers, keeping it attached at the base.
• Lift the meat and rest it on top of the shell for even cooking and presentation.
• Brush with butter or seasoning directly on the exposed meat.

Why it works: Butterflying lets heat hit the meat directly and makes it easier to baste, season, and serve.

When to Cut Open a Lobster Tail

Cutting open means slicing the shell down the middle without lifting the meat.

Best for:

• Instant Pot or steaming
• Boiling or poaching
• Quick, no-fuss cooking

Tips for Cutting Open:

• Cut straight down the shell with kitchen shears.
• Gently spread the shell slightly so steam can reach the meat.
• Leave the meat inside the shell — it helps protect it from overcooking.
• This method makes the meat easier to remove after cooking.

Why it works: Cutting open helps the lobster cook evenly while keeping the process simple and low-risk.

Quick Lobster Tail Prep Guide

Want to figure out whether to butterfly or cut open? Use this guide:

• Want it pretty? Butterfly
• Want it easy? Cut open
• Cooking in the Instant Pot? Cut open
• Broiling or grilling? Butterfly

Pro Tip: Always thaw lobster tails before cutting — frozen shells are harder to cut and more likely to crack unevenly.