Lobster Recipes Anyone Can Make

A lobster dinner is usually a special event. Complete with tablecloth, candles, and special glasses of wine, lobster is often reserved for anniversaries, celebrations, and the like. But it shouldn't be. Lobster is uniquely versatile. The delicately sweet and succulent shellfish is the ideal topper for everything from nachos to soup. Lobster can be pricey, though, so make that when you splurge, you have a trusted recipe that will highlight the lobster beautifully.

This is a lobster and slider combo like you've never seen before. The fresh lobster patties sandwiched with crisp pickled radishes and tangy mayo are one happy family on a toasted wheat bun. 

Unlike the classic New England lobster roll (made up of cold lobster salad in a bun), the Connecticut lobster roll is comprised of a top-split hot-dog bun stuffed with warm lobster tossed with a little melted butter.

Upgraded version of your favorite bar snack with the unlikely yet delicious duo of lobster and melted cheese. 

Put down the wings and elevate your happy hour appetizers with these flavorful bite-sized poppers. The cream cheese balances the spice of the jalapeños with the richness of the lobster and bacon. 

Poaching helps ensure fresh lobster stays soft and cooks to perfection. Simmer gently so the lobster stays supple.

If you don't have the grill capacity to cook all the lobsters at once, the relatively brief cooking time makes it easy to do them in batches. The lobsters will be bright red with a few blackened spots when done cooking. To check doneness, break a lobster open where the tail and body meet–the meat should be opaque and white.

One bite of a good lobster roll will transport you to a breezy summer day on a boardwalk in Maine. New England–style hot dog buns are top-split.

Flatbread replaces buttered rolls in this take on the New England classic.

Neptune Oyster in Boston and Red's Eats in Maine, on which this recipe is based, are my two favorite lobster rolls, and both give the option of butter or mayo. Offering that choice means they can't hide anything about the quality of their lobster.

Simmering the shells infuses the broth with lobster flavor and adds elegance to this simple risotto dish.

This classic New England sandwich comes together in a snap if you purchase lobster tails and have them steamed at the fish counter.

Put a fresh twist on a romantic dish: Miso brings salty umami notes to the sweet, succulent lobster.

An admittedly pricey ingredient, lobster fancies up any dinner, like this pappardelle dish, and is worth the splurge. Opt for lobster tails--versus whole live lobsters--to bring the cost down.

Sustainable choice: Look for tails from American lobsters trapped off the New England or eastern Canadian shores.

A simple citrus sauce perfectly complements the lobster tails in this easy yet elegant entrée. Serve with warmed tortillas, lightly grilled green onions, and cold Mexican beer for a satisfying meal that's just right for romantic evenings at home or entertaining friends.

Ask your fishmonger to steam the lobster for you. Lobster is certainly worth its price for this entrée, and since this recipe uses the shell to make a stock, none of it goes to waste.