Last Updated on November 11, 2022

2022 UPDATE: This year the Florida lobster mini-season in Florida falls on July 27th and 28th. It begins at 12:01 am on Wednesday and ends at 12:00 am (midnight) on Thursday. Make sure to always verify dates and regulations with MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife. The regular 8-month lobster season is August 6 through March 31.

Fresh Florida lobster is in season and available in local seafood markets. If you “catch your own” lobster from a trip to the Florida Keys, consider yourself very fortunate. If you’re saving that experience for another time, you can still enjoy the delectable treat by cooking at home and following some simple directions.

Photo of Robin holding lobsters in the water

How to Cook Florida Lobster

Most seafood shops will clean the lobster at your request. If you have a whole (uncleaned) lobster, follow these directions. If you have purchased a cleaned tail, skip to the recipe below.

The first step is to separate the tail from the body. Place the whole lobster on a flat surface, and carefully twist the tail off the carapace (or body) of the lobster.

Clean the Lobster & the Sand Vein (whether on a boat or in your kitchen)

There is a part of the lobster called the “sand vein” and it requires removal. Break a spiny antenna (1/8 inch in diameter) tip from the lobster. Take the thick part of the broken tip and insert it into the vent (for the sand vein) at the base of the tail about ¾ of an inch. Twist it a half turn and pull the vein out. The vein at the base of the tail should come attached to the antenna.
Discard everything but the lobster tail.
Refrigerate the lobster tail if not planning to prepare it immediately.

Cutting the Florida Lobster

On a cutting board, take a large, heavy knife, and place the lobster tail, shell side up, with the bottom of the tail towards you. Place the knife in the middle of the shell and using the heel of your hand on the handle, push the knife to slice the shell (not through to the meat), breaking open the lobster.
Open the shell by pulling back the sides to expose the meat. Clean and rinse the tail.

Cooking the Lobster

There are many ways to cook Florida lobster. Some of the more popular ways are baking, broiling, barbequing, and even boiling. We chose to broil our lobster using the following recipe:

Yield: 4 Lobsters

Lemon Butter Recipe

Ingredients

1 stick of unsalted butter
1 tsp. of fresh lemon juice (1/2 a lemon)
1 tsp. of Old Bay Seasoning

Instructions

Place ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook on low heat for 5 minutes to melt butter. Stir occasionally.
Place lobsters on a flat cooking sheet, meat side up. Brush the lobster tails with butter
Broil on high heat, 450 degrees for 10-15 minutes (or until the meat is no longer translucent)
When the lobster tails are cooked, brush again with the remaining sauce

Check out other recipes using fresh Florida seafood:

Fresh from the Sea: How to Cook Florida Lobster