# 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.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/lobster-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook lobster

Times are for a live lobster of 500–750 g.

Lobster and crab: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) | 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](https://feastflow.co.uk/grilling-times) (Tails) | 6–8 min | under a hot grill | Lobster tails split lengthways, flesh side up with butter. |
| [Steam](https://feastflow.co.uk/steaming-times) | 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.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/