Do you love seafood? If so, you may have wondered if you can cook lobster and crab together in the same dish. The short answer is yes – pairing these two decadent shellfish can make for an incredible meal. Keep reading to learn how to cook lobster and crab together at home.
Combining Lobster and Crab Creates a Seafood Feast
Cooking lobster and crab together allows you to create an indulgent seafood spread. Things like:
- Seafood boils with lobster, crab, shrimp, mussels, corn, and potatoes
- Lobster stuffed with crabmeat
- Crab cakes topped with lobster meat
- Linguine mixed with lobster and crab in creamy sauce
- Shellfish samplers and seafood platters
You can prepare recipes that specifically highlight both lobster and crab. Or use them as part of a larger seafood boil or mixed shellfish dish. Either way, combining these two succulent crustaceans makes for a mouthwatering meal.
Popular Cooking Methods for Lobster and Crab
There are two main methods for cooking lobster and crab so they come out tender and flavorful:
Boiling
This technique involves submerging the lobster and crab in a large pot of boiling, seasoned liquid. It cooks the seafood quickly and evenly. Popular boiling recipes are:
- Seafood boils – Cook with crab legs, lobster tails, shrimp, potatoes, corn, etc.
- Court bouillon – Poach in wine, vegetables, and herbs
- Spicy boils – Season the water with Old Bay, lemon, garlic, etc.
Follow suggested cooking times to prevent overcooking. Then drain and serve with drawn butter or dipping sauces.
Steaming
Steaming gently cooks the seafood using hot steam rather than direct contact with boiling liquid. Benefits include:
- Retains more natural moisture
- Delicate flavor isn’t diluted
- Healthier cooking method
Use a bamboo steamer, pasta insert pot, or steaming pan. Add aromatics to the boiling water like lemon, herbs, garlic, or wine. Steam lobster for 5-8 minutes per pound; crab legs for 4-5 minutes.
Choosing the Freshest Lobster and Crab
To make the most of cooking lobster and crab together, select the freshest seafood you can find:
Lobster
- Live lobsters should move and wave their claws. Avoid lethargic ones.
- Check for blemishes or discoloration on the shell.
- Opt for harder shells, which indicate more meat inside.
- 1.25 – 1.5 pounds is ideal for lobster tails.
Crab
- Fresh crab legs will feel rigid and cold. Avoid cracked legs.
- Live crabs should be active and feisty.
- Make sure the underside is free of residue or discoloration.
- For best value, choose legs over whole crabs.
Shopping for the highest quality lobster and crab will ensure delicious results when you cook them together.
Perfectly Pairing Lobster and Crab
Beyond proper cooking methods, what completes a lobster and crab dish is how you season and pair it. Consider:
Seasonings
Enhance flavor with:
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Old Bay
- Cajun seasoning
Sauces
- Drawn butter
- aioli
- Remoulade
- Cocktail sauce
- Beurre blanc
Sides
- Corn on the cob
- Potatoes
- Coleslaw or salad
- Bread for dipping
With the right seasonings and pairings, your lobster and crab combo will be taken to the next level. Play around with different flavor profiles at home.
Time to Try Cooking Lobster and Crab Together
Bringing together lobster and crab makes for an indulgent dining experience. Now that you know you can successfully cook them together, it’s time to give it a try at home. Grab some shells, melt some butter, and treat yourself to this ultimate seafood feast. Your tastebuds will thank you!
