How to Extract Meat from a Lobster
May 01, 2011
Eating lobster can be a messy endeavor—but, one that is well-worth the effort.
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The Best Way to Extract Meat from a Lobster
Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
Lobster tastes delicious, but eating it can be messy. If there were a tidy way to do it, restaurants wouldn’t supply their customers with a bib, but the succulent meat makes all the effort worthwhile. Although techniques can vary depending on local tradition and personal preference, here’s a general guide that will help you get the most out of your next lobster dinner.
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Step 1
Separate the tail from the rest of the body by bending the lobster backward.
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Step 2
Snap off the flippers, and push the meat out of the shell using a fork at the flipper end of the tail.
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Step 3
Twist off the claws, and gently move the pincher from side to side until you feel it snap. Gently pull it away.
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Step 4
Gently crack the claws open with a nutcracker to release the meat.
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Step 5
Pluck off the legs. If you’d like, use a small fork to break the shell.
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Step 6
Crack the body of the lobster open to remove the meat.