Lobster and crab cooking times
How long to cook lobster: 12–15 min boiled, 6–8 min under the grill and 14–18 min steamed. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.
How long to cook lobster
Times are for a live lobster of 500–750 g.
| Method | Time | Heat | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boil | 12–15 min | in well-salted boiling water | For 500–750 g; add 5 minutes for each extra 500 g. A 1 kg crab takes about 15 minutes. |
| Grill Tails | 6–8 min | under a hot grill | Lobster tails split lengthways, flesh side up with butter. |
| Steam | 14–18 min | over boiling water, covered | For 500–750 g. |
Before you start
Chill live lobster or crab in the freezer for 30 minutes first, so it’s insensible.
How to tell it’s done
Shell bright red and the meat opaque and white.
Questions
How long to boil lobster?
12–15 min in well-salted boiling water. For 500–750 g; add 5 minutes for each extra 500 g. A 1 kg crab takes about 15 minutes.
How long to grill lobster?
Tails: 6–8 min under a hot grill. Lobster tails split lengthways, flesh side up with butter.
How long to steam lobster?
14–18 min over boiling water, covered. For 500–750 g.
Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and the size of what you’re cooking all vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer before serving. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance, last checked 11 November 2026.