Cooking lobster can be intimidating to an inexperienced home cook. Not only is lobster pricey, it also gets cooked while it's still alive. Boiling lobster is a relatively simple cooking process that allows the lobster's delicate flavor to be the main focus. It requires just enough boiling time for the lobster meat to heat through and retain its moisture.
Preparation
The cooking time for lobster depends on its weight. Choose a large cooking pot. Boiling a lobster requires 1 gallon of water, so make sure you have a pot that can easily fit the water with room to spare. Add 1 gallon of cold water to the pot and heat the stove to high until it begins to boil. Depending on your stove and cooking altitude, it may take 20 minutes or so for the water to boil. Since lobsters are thrown into the pot while they are alive, not much prep work can be done while you're waiting for the water to boil. Once the water is rapidly boiling, grab the lobster by the tail and use scissors to remove the bands around the live lobster's claws. Drop it gently headfirst into the water, then place a lid on the pot.
Determining Cooking Times
The boiling time for lobster varies depending on its weight. Follow the guidelines for the lobster's weight to ensure you don't overcook it. Overcooking lobster will result in a tough texture and less flavor. If your lobster is less than 1 1/4 lb., boil it between 12 and 15 minutes. Boil a 2 lb. lobster for 15 to 20 minutes, while anything between 2 and 3 lb. needs to be boiled for 25 minutes. A lobster that's more than 3 lb. doesn't require as precise a cooking time. If the lobster is between 3 and 6 lb., boil it 25 to 28 minutes. Any lobster that's more than 8 lb. requires approximately four minutes of boiling time per pound.
Checking Doneness
Check the lobster's doneness three minutes before the end of its estimated cooking time. Do not remove the lobster just because it changes to a bright red color. Its outer appearance will change and appear done well before the insides are cooked through. A lobster will typically float to the top of the water and have a curled tail when it's done boiling. Lightly pull at one of the lobster's antennae or legs to verify that you've boiled it long enough. If the antennae or leg easily pulls off, the lobster is done cooking. Remove it from the water and cut into the meat. Ensure the meat is an opaque, white shade with a firm texture before consuming.
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