Jumbo-sized 3 pound live lobsters have the potential to impress and satisfy even your most ravenous guests, but these bigger lobsters are often shunned by people who consider themselves to be lobster aficionados. There’s an honest debate about the sweetness and tenderness of oversized lobster meat. Often, the problem isn’t so much the lobster meat itself but the cooking process. Most people find it difficult, even impossible, to cook lobsters of this size all the way through without overcooking the outermost layer of meat. Never fear, we have compiled helpful preparation and cooking tips if you are in the mood for a jumbo-sized lobster meal.

3 lb Live Lobster Prices

Company Min. Order Price/lobster* Price/4 Lobsters** Company Rating Go To
The Crab Place 2 $128.64 $462.32 4.5
Lobster Anywhere 1 $88.95 $404.57 5.0
Cape Porpoise Lobster Company 2 $185.37 $386.60 4
Winter Harbor Lobster Co-op 2 $87.49 $349.98 4.6
Lucky Catch Lobster 2 $99.50 $379.00 N/A
Graffam Bros Lobster 1 OUT OF STOCK OUT OF STOCK 4.6
James Hook Lobster Company 2 $29.92 $239.40 4
The Fresh Lobster Company 1 $69.50 $278.00 4.3
The Lobster Guy 1 $65.99 $263.96 4

Read here about our quality seafood pricing tables.

* These prices do not include shipping except when noted otherwise.

** Price for 4 lobsters INCLUDES shipping based on a standardized location. Exact costs may vary.

Why Choose a 3 Pound Lobster?

Consider a jumbo-sized lobster for the sheer adventure of it! Here are a few ways to spice up your usual order with a larger lobster:

  • Put together an impressive holiday spread for family and friends. 
  • Have a taste test between lobsters of different sizes.
  • Buy 3 lb lobster as a gift for the person in your life who likes to go big or go home. 

Think you can handle a 3 pound-er? Read on for cooking methods and tips for these larger lobsters. 

 

Cooking Instructions for 3 lb Lobster

To avoid overcooking and free up stovetop space later on, some people will “blanche” their lobsters before fully cooking them. This involves boiling the lobster in salted water for about 2 minutes, then placing it in an ice bath for 10 minutes. Blanching will leave the lobster a whitish color. You can then finish cooking the lobster at the scheduled time. This blanche cooking method is also a great way to preserve the taste of fresh lobster if you’re unable to cook and eat the lobster within a half-day of it arriving on your doorstep. 

After blanching the lobster, you can choose from a variety of cooking methods. When cooked properly, meat from a larger lobster can taste just as delicious as meat from a smaller lobster. 

Boiling and steaming are popular lobster cooking methods: 

Boiling

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the lobster, and cook for 7 minute per pound for the first pound. You should add 3 minutes per pound for any additional pounds. Using this timetable, it should take about 13-15 minutes to fully cook.

Steaming

Brush the lobster with olive oil. Place it flesh-side down on a grill set to medium heat. Grill the lobster for about 6 minutes, possibly more for a lobster of this size, and then flip it. Cook it for another 5 minutes on the other side. 

 

More Tips for 3 lb Live Lobsters

The relatively limited supply of these lobsters means 3 lb lobster price is often higher than other, smaller lobsters. Try to purchase them in May or June for cheaper prices. 

An 8-quart pot isn’t going to work for cooking larger lobsters. We recommend a 20-quart pot at least. If you cook with an oversized pot, you should be able to prepare two lobsters at a time.

3 pound live lobsters should yield about 9.5-10 oz of cooked lobster with the following nutritional information:

  • 275-290 grams, 10 oz
  • 260-275 calories
  • 54-57 grams of protein
  • 180-190 mg of cholesterol
  • 3 grams of fat

Though less common, less popular, and restricted in some fishing waters, there are also oversized 4-6lb lobsters that are mostly for show, require an extra-large turkey cooker, and are all but impossible to cook just right. You might also need a hammer or extra strong tool to crack open the claws.

 

 

More Resources for Buying Lobster

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