How to Reheat Lobster

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Lobster is one of those foods that you don’t want to waste a single bite of! But when it comes to how to reheat lobster leftovers, is there a best way to do it?

Some reheating methods are better than others when it comes to delicate lobster meat. This guide for reheating leftover lobster will help you choose the best method and enjoy your leftovers from all of your favorite lobster dishes!

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

The key to reheating lobster is to avoid turning it into rubbery meat! That’s why not all reheating methods are ideal, unlike your sides for lobster tail you need to choose how to reheat the lobster tail itself wisely. For example, unless you’re reheating something like lobster bisque that contains plenty of moistening ingredients, you don’t want to use the microwave.

For all of these methods, you can use a meat thermometer to check the lobster’s internal temperature so you don’t overcook it or end up with cold spots. You’ll want the lobster to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit at the thickest part of the meat or dish.

Stovetop Method – 3 Ways

If you are reheating lobster tail, lobster claws, or basically plain lobster (not cooked into a recipe like lobster rolls, for example), you can easily reheat it on the stovetop to maintain the delicate texture of the meat.

Boiling

Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil on the stove.
Place the leftover lobster in a colander and lower it into the boiling water, making sure it is fully submerged.
Let it sit in the water for 2-3 minutes, or until it is heated thoroughly.
Using tongs, carefully remove the lobster from the water and place it on a plate.
Re-season as needed and serve.

Steaming

Fill a large pot about a quarter of the way with water.
Bring the water to a boil.
Place a steamer basket on top of the pot and cover it with a lid.
Reheat for about 5 minutes on medium heat.
Remove, re-season as needed, and serve.

Frying Pan

Heat a pan with a lid on low heat (gentle heat is important for the best results)
Add lobster tails to the pan with water (just enough to cover the bottom of the pan) and cover.
As the lobster dish heats, you can add a little butter or olive oil and seasonings as desired.
Keep an eye on the temperature so you don’t overcook it.
Once it reaches your desired temperature, remove and serve.

Oven Method

If you’re reheating a lobster dish like lobster rolls or lobster macaroni, the oven method is a great choice. You can also reheat lobster tails in the oven!

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the leftover lobster dish in a baking tray, baking dish, or other oven-safe dish.
Add a drizzle of warm butter or olive oil over the lobster to prevent it from drying out. You can also add a little water to the bottom of the dish, don’t worry it will evaporate and rehydrate into the lobster.
Cover the dish with foil to trap the moisture.
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the lobster dish is heated through.
Carefully remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Microwave Method

Even though the microwave seems like the easiest way to reheat any type of food, you might find it’s tricky to keep lobster from getting chewy with this method so I recommend using another option if possible.

If you do decide to microwave any type of lobster dish, try these steps to try to prevent tough reheated lobster.

Place your lobster dish on a microwave-safe plate or in a bowl.
Cover the dish with a damp paper towel.
Reheat on medium or 2-3 minutes.
Check the temperature, add some melted butter if needed, rewet the paper towel, and replace it over the dish if it needs more heating.
Heat for 1 minute at a time until the lobster dish reaches your desired temperature so you don’t overdo it.