The boiling time for lobster depends mainly on its weight and whether it is a hard-shell or soft-shell lobster.
General Boiling Times by Weight
- 1 lb lobster: about 8 minutes
- 1.25 lbs: 9-10 minutes
- 1.5 lbs: 11-12 minutes
- 1.75 lbs: 12-13 minutes
- 2 lbs: 15 minutes
- 2.25 lbs: 20 minutes
- 3 lbs: 25 minutes
- 5 lbs: 35-40 minutes
These times are for hard-shell lobsters; soft-shell lobsters require about 3 minutes less cooking time
Method Overview
- Fill a large pot with seawater or salted water (about 2-2.5 quarts per lobster). Use about 2 tablespoons of salt per quart of water if using regular water.
- Bring water to a rolling boil.
- Add live lobsters one at a time, cover, and bring back to a boil.
- Lower heat to a simmer and cook for the recommended time based on weight.
- Lobsters are done when their shells turn bright red and the meat is opaque and firm (internal temperature around 135-140°F).
- Remove lobsters and let rest for 5 minutes before serving
Additional Tips
- Stir the lobsters halfway through cooking to ensure even heat distribution
- For lobster tails, boiling times vary by size, e.g., 6-7 oz tails take 5-6 minutes, 8-10 oz tails take 6-8 minutes
- To calm lobsters before boiling, placing them in the freezer for 30-60 minutes is recommended
In summary, boiling a 1 to 1.5-pound lobster typically takes about 8 to 15 minutes, increasing with size, with adjustments for soft-shell lobsters.
