If you can boil a pot of water, then you can cook a live lobster! But it's essential that you begin with a live lobster — pre-cooked lobsters just don't cook as nicely.

Steaming a lobster: the basics

Make a tasty cooking broth starting with 2" of water in the bottom of a pot, then adding thyme and bay leaves. Squeeze lemon juice into the water, drop in the lemon rinds, and bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.

Clip the rubber bands off the lobster's claws. Quickly place the lobster head-first into the boiling water, then immerse it. Cover the pot and boil for 15 minutes.

The lobster is done when the internal temperature is 180°F, or when an antennae or small walking leg easily pulls off.

Lobster cooking times — boiling or steaming

Broiling or grilling lobster

• Cook your lobster using the tips mentioned above.
• Use a large knife or scissors to split the shell lengthwise; crack the shell firmly along the incision, then pull meat up through the shell.
• Brush all sides of the lobster with a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Place the lobsters on a grill or broiler pan, with the meat facing the flame, and cook 4-5 minutes.
• Turn and cook an additional 4-5 minutes, brushing often with the oil and lemon mixture.
• The lobster is done when the meat is opaque and firm to the touch.

How do I ensure the lobster is fully cooked?

Lobsters will turn their characteristic bright red color well before the meat is fully cooked. Follow these easy tips to ensure that your lobster is thoroughly cooked:

• Tug on an antennae or pull off one of the small walking legs. These come off easily when the lobster is done.
• If the lobster is done, the meat inside will be firm, white, and opaque. The tomalley, which fills much of the body cavity, will be greenish-yellow.
• The roe, or eggs, inside female lobsters will be firm and bright orange-red. If the roe is a dark greenish-black, with an oily, tar-like consistency, the lobster is under-cooked.
• The internal temperature of the lobster meat should be 180°F.

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