Having Maine lobster shipped to your home is a great way to celebrate a promotion, have a romantic dinner, or host a party. There are several lobster companies who catch their own seafood and ship it directly to your door. This page will cover the buying and shipping process – from picking out your lobsters and preparing for delivery to cooking and preparing your purchase once it arrives. Whether you’re an experienced or novice lobster buyer, you’ll find some expert tips to improve your experience.
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Compare Options for Live Maine Lobster Shipped to Your Door
Folks have different reasons for choosing a lobster provider. Some like to have a lot of size and product options, but others like price transparency. Regardless of your criteria, know that we have your back. Every company you’ll find in our price grids has met the standards of our recommendation. There’s the breakdown for 1.25-pound lobster.
| Company | Price/Lobster | Price/4 Lobsters | Company Rating | Go To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton Fish Market | $34.99 | $139.96 | 4.4 | |
| Lobster Anywhere | $38.95 | $199.80 | 5.0 | |
| Get Maine Lobster | $41.25 | $164.99 | 4.9 | |
| Winter Harbor Co-op | $65.00 | $259.98 | 4.6 |
Keep in mind that costs can change quickly depending on supply and demand. We keep these price grids well updated, but seasonal bumps can be hard to capture. In general, lobster is probably going to cost more to ship on the big lobster holidays – Valentine’s Day, Christmas, the 4th of July, stuff like that. Even if you’ve had a great experience with a company, we always recommend having a back-up option – especially if you’re ordering for a popular date.
How Maine Lobster Shipping Works
If you’re about to order fresh lobster shipped from somewhere in New England, you’re probably thinking, How the heck does the lobster stay alive? The truth is that this industry has been honing their method for decades, and they’ve got it down to a science. There’s a three-step process that most companies use. We’ll go into more detail below.
Step 1: Choose Your Product
This one’s pretty obvious, but it’s important. The product you choose will determine the type of shipping you get. A live lobster won’t ship the same way as frozen lobster meat. Live lobsters shipped come with overnight delivery, but frozen lobster meat often ships via 2nd Day Air. Also, keep in mind that a 1.25-pound lobster will usually cost less to ship than a 5-pound lobster. Be aware that Maine lobster shipped via UPS and FedEx will have higher costs around popular times of year, like Valentine’s Day and the 4th of July.
Step 2: Select Your Shipping/Receiving Dates
Before you check out, you’ll be asked to confirm your shipping and receiving dates. Most live lobster orders ship overnight to preserve freshness and ensure they get to your house safely. If you choose today as your shipping day, your package will arrive tomorrow. But it is possible to order ahead if that’s what you need. For example, if you want lobster delivered on Thursday, you can still put the order in on Monday (or two weeks ago) – just select Wednesday as the shipment date.
Step 3: Answer the Door
Once you’ve chosen your catch, your dates, and checked out, the lobster company will spring into action to prepare your shipment. Live lobsters are usually packed in insulated containers with ice packs and other cooling agents. Some providers even throw in some seaweed to make sure the little guys have a little taste of home. These containers are handled carefully and preserve the cold temperatures, but you’ll want to do what you can to make sure the package arrives safely.
In a perfect world, you would be home and able to answer the door the very moment the live lobsters arrive. We know this isn’t possible for everybody. If you’re not sure that you’ll be home when the package arrives, leave a note for the delivery person to place the package in a garage or somewhere shady. Keeping the package out of direct sunlight will keep the container from overheating.
The Best Advice from Lobster Pros
There are a few more things you should know before preparing for that lobster order to arrive. Here’s some of our expert advice for the novice buyer looking to get Maine lobster shipped to their home.
- Keep your lobster cold until it’s time to eat. If you’re planning to eat within a few hours of the lobster’s arrival, it’s okay to leave it in the shipping container. Just be sure to check the temperature and add some extra gel packs. But, if dinner is more than a few hours away, you’ll need to transfer them into a refrigerator.
- Fresh water will kill your lobster. This includes melted ice. If your lobster needs to spend time in your fridge, keep it away from anything that melts. We like to lay down a plastic layer between the lobster and any potential water sources.
- Eat your lobster within 24 hours of its arrival. Lobsters can only live so long outside of their habitat. If it dies before you can cook it, it won’t be safe to eat.
- There’s no such thing as “free shipping.” If a company advertises lobster online free shipping, it means that cost has been rolled into the price of lobster. It’s still there, but you can’t see it. In general, we like to see exactly how much shipping costs. For that reason, we tend to favor companies that are transparent about the cost breakdown.
- Shipping costs vary over the course of a week. We you probably want lobster on a Friday or weekend. It’s just that kind of meal. Unfortunately, most other people do, too. This increased demand can drive up the cost of shipping. In other words, note that lobster shipped to your door on Saturday afternoon is going to cost more than on Tuesday morning.
How to Cook Live Lobster
We know some people have specific recipes in mind when they order lobster delivery, but others need some additional help. There are several ways to prepare lobster, but there are three main methods: boiling, steaming, and baking.
Boiling
To boil lobster, fill a lobster pot with enough water to cover the lobsters by 3 inches. Add around 2 tablespoons of salt for each quart of water used. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Then, add the lobsters – headfirst – into the boiling water. Cover the pot and cook for 6 to 12 minutes, depending on your lobster’s size. This is the preferred method for cooking live lobster.
Steaming
Add around two inches of water to a lobster pot. If you have one, add a rack that sits just above the water. Then, bring the water to a rolling boil. Add the lobsters to the pot and cover tightly. Allow the lobsters to steam for 7 to 15 minutes, depending on their size. We don’t recommend this method if you’re cooking more than two lobsters.
Baking
Baking adds a delicious textural component to a live lobster dinner. Turn the broiler on high heat, allowing the oven to warm for at least 10 minutes. Boil your lobster using the above instructions but decrease the cooking time to around 5 minutes. Then, cut a slit in the back of the lobster to crack it open. Place the lobster, slit up, onto a baking sheet, taking care to leave the claws intact. Place the lobster into the broiler and allow it to cook for 5 minutes. Broil until the lobster’s internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Do what you can to avoid overcooking.
The Best Lobster Recipes to Try
Lobster has a specific flavor profile that blends well with certain ingredients. We’re partial to garlic, butter, and lemon, but some recipes are truly unique. Here are some fun options to try when you get Maine lobster shipped:
- Butter-Roasted Lobster with Native Greens
- Julia Child’s Lobster Thermidor Recipe
- Lobster Pie
- Coal Roasted Baja Lime Lobster
Local Lobster Delivery
Looking for lobster takeout? Local delivery? Live in Boston but don’t want a company shipping lobsters from Boston? We’ve got you. Some Maine lobster shipping companies also offer local delivery, but most don’t. Click any of the below buttons to find local lobster delivery in your area.
Bulk Lobster Orders
Most companies can handle bulk lobster orders. Many offer discounts for large purchases. If you’re interested in buying bulk lobster, check out any companies listed in the above grid. However, we recommend thinking hard about your decision before you buy. Lobster meat has a very short shelf life, and your live lobster won’t last for more than a day after it arrives. The best – and perhaps only – reason to buy bulk live lobster is to cater a party or event. If that’s where you are, then go for it.
Frequently Asked Questions for Maine Lobster Shipped
If you’ve never ordered live Maine lobster shipped to your door in the past, we bet you have a lot of questions that need answering. Here’s our attempt to cover the bases.
How much does it cost to ship lobster from Maine?
Lobster shipping costs vary by provider. In general, you should expect to pay between $28 and $33 per pound in the 1.25-pound category. Shipping costs are sometimes rolled into the per-pound price, but some providers waive shipping fees if the customer reaches a minimum purchase requirement. If your provider charges for shipping, you should expect to pay between $140 and $200 for four 1.25-pound lobsters, depending on your location.
Can you have lobster shipped from Maine?
The best fresh Maine lobsters are shipped live directly from the Pine Tree State. Maine lobsters are usually shipped overnight. Live lobsters are delivered in insulated containers. Most companies provide a delivery guarantee that will protect your purchase in case your lobster is damaged during the flight. Still, if your lobster is dead on arrival, document what you can before contacting the company.
What companies ship lobster?
Many companies ship lobster. Here are a few of our favorites:
How do lobster delivery services ship live lobsters?
Live lobsters are shipped in insulated containers. In most cases, the provider will include gel packs and some seaweed to keep the order fresh. The package will ship overnight and arrive at your doorstep the following day.
Can lobsters be shipped?
Yes. Lobsters are packaged, shipped, and delivered to doorsteps across the country. Customers can purchase live lobster, lobster tails, and lobster meat. Live lobsters are sensitive to temperature changes, so they require specialized shipping practices. This usually includes an insulated container, cooling gel packs, and some seaweed. Having Maine lobster shipped might seem complicated, but companies are great at simplifying the process.
What are the best ways to cook a lobster?
Boiling is the preferred method for cooking lobster. This is also the most efficient way to cook several lobsters at once. Just bring your pot of water to a boil, add a hefty amount of salt, and let the lobsters cook for 6 to 12 minutes, depending on their weight.
How soon should I cook the lobster from a lobster delivery service?
The general rule is to cook the lobster within 24 hours of its arrival. Lobsters don’t live long outside of their habitat, and the meat degrades quickly once the animal dies. If you need to wait overnight before cooking your order, ensure you have your refrigerator set up to accommodate the lobsters.
Does lobster shipping have to be live?
Not at all! Customers have the option to order live Maine lobster delivery, frozen lobster tails, claws, and lobster meat. These options are generally less expensive and have fewer associated shipping costs. Live Maine lobster shipped to your door is just the freshest and most celebratory way to eat the seafood.
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