How Much Does Lobster Cost? (2024)

Last Updated on December 28, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by How Much Does Lobster Cost? (1) CFA Alexander Popinker

Perfectly prepared lobster is one of the great culinary pleasures of seafood enthusiasts. Also called the “cardinal of the seas”, the tender meat of the lobster is highly valued in fine gastronomy for its sweet and delicate taste.

But before it was considered a delicacy, lobster was used as fertilizer, fish bait, or the main source of food for slaves during colonial times.

How Much Does Lobster Cost Per Pound?

Lobster from a grocery store will cost, on average, anywhere between $10 and $25 per pound. There are several factors that will affect lobster price, such as the market conditions, the place you buy it from, the time of the year, the size, the way it is processed (frozen or fresh), the quality, and the geographical location.

The weight of a lobster at most stores would be one to four pounds, which means that the average cost of a lobster would be $30 to more than $75.

For example, the Yankee Lobster Company offers jumbo lobsters for sale, that weigh more than six pounds, at the price of around $15 per pound, and one-pound lobster at the price of almost $12 per piece.

The costs may be much higher for the lobster meat that is already frozen, prepped, and ready to go. Expect to pay $55 to $75 per pound only for the tail meat, and $50 to $70 per pound for mixed lobster meat. For every five kilograms of lobster, you get around half a kilogram of meat.

A whole lobster tail weighs, in general, about four to five ounces and costs anywherebetween $10 and $18. At some retailers, like Sam’s Club, it is charged by the pound, and you might have to spend around$55 per pound of lobster.

In the table below you will find the average lobster costs by weight.

Weight (Lb)Average Price of Lobster (total)
3 pounds$35.20
2 pounds$23.10
1.5 pounds$17.60
4 pounds$46.20
1 pound$12.10
5 pounds$58.30

Lobster meat – short presentation

Lobster is a very healthy food, low in calories but a rich source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, and vitamins E, B-12, and B-6.

There are two species of lobster on the market: Maine lobster and the spiny lobster, no matter where you want to buy it from. Also, there are two types: soft-shell and hard-shell lobsters.

You might also like our articles on the cost of lobster tail, Ahi tuna, or blue crabs.

Lobsters do not have only one color, red. There are blue lobsters as well.

Important things to consider

How Much Does Lobster Cost? (2)Lobster can be steamed or boiled in water with sea salt, bay leaves, onion, and pepper. Although it sounds simple, experienced chefs say that preparing seafood like lobster with a perfect texture is an art. For example, the cooking time differs according to the season: in the winter, lobsters have a harder shell and therefore require more cooking time, and in the summer months, the shell is softer and the optimal cooking time is lower.

If the pot in which the lobster is boiled is not large enough to allow the water to circulate around the crustacean, the meat will not be evenly cooked.

The cooking time of a lobster differs depending on its size. The shell of a well-cooked lobster is completely red and the meat is uniformly white with no translucent portions.

Before cooking the lobster, the first step is to prepare it. You have to pass it under a stream of clear water, to remove all impurities. Then, you can switch to the type of cooking you want.

How do you choose lobsters?

Do you know how to recognize a fresh lobster? If it has a thick skin, this is the promise of abundant meat. It is preferable to buy live lobster. This is why, when you buy it, you should check whether the lobster is alive. To do this, grab it by the sides – it will suddenly fold its tail under its body. If not, it could be proof that it is not so fresh anymore.

Lobster bought cooked must have a good smell, shiny black eyes, and firm meat. To find out if the lobster was alive before it was cooked, pull the tail and if it folds, everything is fine.

To preserve it, it is possible to keep fresh lobster in the refrigerator for a day. After it has been cooked, the lobster can be kept for up to two days.

Which are the additional expenses?

In case you need to purchase your lobster online, you will have to pay shipping fees, especially in case you don’t meet the minimum spending requirements. You should budget $30 to $40 for having the lobster delivered to your door.

Tips for saving money on the lobster price

The lowest possible price for lobster is on the Maine coast. If you live close to or visit this place, go to a local fish market or fisherman near the docks and you will find live Maine lobster at the price of less than$5 per pound.

When you buy lobster near the coast, it will always have the lowest price in season, which is from June to September.

Keep your eyes peeled for the promotions and sales available at your local grocery stores. You may find lobster at a lower price.

How Much Does Lobster Cost? (2024)

FAQs

How much lobster is 1lb? ›

Live Lobster Sizes
Lobster Name & SizeWeight
Chix1.0 – 1.25 lb.
Quarters1.25 – 1.49 lb.
Halves1.50 – 1.75 lb.
Deuces2.5-3 lb.
1 more row

What month is lobster cheapest? ›

Prices will peak in early spring, but as the weather warms, lobster fishing picks up, and prices drop in May and June. May is typically one of the best months of the year to buy live lobsters.

How big is a 1.5 lb lobster? ›

Know in the trade as “halves,” a 1.5-pound live lobster is a medium to large-sized lobster yielding approximately 6 to 8 ounces of meat. If lobster is the main event, then we recommend ordering one 1.5 lb.

Why are lobsters so expensive? ›

Insider reports that this is in part because the crustaceans require so much maintenance: they grow slowly, eat a lot, and are susceptible to diseases. A lot of technology goes into not only encouraging the lobsters' healthy growth but also maintaining their health as they're shipped alive across the country.

Is 2 pounds of lobster a lot? ›

Lobster Basics: A 1 ½ pound hard-shell lobster will yield about 1 1/3 cups of cooked meat and are large enough for dinner portion. A 2 lb. lobster or deuce is normally reserved for special occasions.

How old is a 2lb lobster? ›

To reach the legal size of about 3.25 inches and weigh 1 pound, lobsters usually take an average of 5-7 years and will grow more slowly as they get older. Therefore, a 2 lb lobster is estimated to be 10 - 15 years old and a 25 lb lobster will be about 75 - 100 years old.

Why is Maine lobster so cheap right now? ›

The southern New England lobster industry has collapsed as the ocean has warmed, and the waters off Maine logged the second-warmest year on record in 2022.

When not to buy lobster? ›

Five Tips for Choosing a Freshly Caught Lobster

Test the tail. An easy test is to push the tail straight— if it does not re-curl, you've caught a bad one. Check the lobster for two long antennae. Lobsters with missing or chewed antennae have spent time in storage.

Is lobster cheaper than crab? ›

Lobster is generally more expensive than crab, but king crab legs can sometimes sell for more than a whole lobster, as they are full of sought-after white meat and typically contain more meat than whole lobsters, pound for pound.

What size lobster tastes best? ›

Which Size Lobsters Taste Best? Giant, large, and smaller, legal-size lobsters all taste fine. They just need to be cooked in specific ways. That said, it's best to stick to smaller-size lobsters because that's the most sustainable option.

How many lobsters for one person? ›

lobster, for example, will yield around 6-8 oz. of meat. Since I like to pile my lobster rolls sky high with meat, I usually plan to buy 1.5 lobsters per person (or roll), though you could definitely get away with the '1 Lobster per person' rule- especially if you take the care to dig out the leg & knuckle meat.

What is the lifespan of a lobster? ›

Most lobsters that you see in a grocery store or at a restaurant are at least 5-7 years old and weigh about 1-2 pounds. But lobsters can be much bigger and much older. They could live to be over 100 years old!

Is lobster healthy? ›

Lobsters are a great source of selenium and also contain omega-3 fatty acids. They can help protect against thyroid disease, depression, and anemia. Lobster can serve as the main source of protein in a meal. Defrost frozen lobster in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.

Why is lobster for rich people? ›

If you ask 10 people to name a food that rich people eat, we bet at least half of them will say lobster. The big ocean bugs are expensive, after all, and require mannered finesse to cook and eat. Except if you dug back a hundred years ago, you'd find remarks like this 1847 gem from John J.

What is the most expensive seafood to eat? ›

Bluefin tuna is known for being the most expensive seafood in the world.

How many lobster tails for 1 pound of meat? ›

Approximately 5-6 tails per pound of lobster tail meat depending on the tail size.

How much is a 1 pound lobster in Maine? ›

How much is a lobster in maine? The price of lobster in Maine can vary depending on factors such as season, market demand, and size of the lobster. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $8 to $15 per pound for live lobsters at seafood markets or directly from fishermen.

What is a good size lobster to eat? ›

Average eaters would be smart to purchase a two-pound lobster, also known as a deuce. This hefty lobster will suit the average eater while also being great for special occasions. They are a little costlier but well worth it.

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