It doesn’t have to be winter to be soup season, especially when the soup you’re making (or eating) is Lobster Chowder. When Lisa and I go out to eat we’re always on the lookout for delicious starters and good homemade soups always fall into that category.
When I first met Lisa many years ago she didn’t like lobster, she was a blue claw crab and beer girl. But I think a better way to put it would be she didn’t know just how good lobster could be.
That first summer we met I introduced her to the Joys of Lobster and opened up a whole new world of culinary delights!
Needless to say, lobster is now a regular menu item and not just lobster tails. She loves lobster rolls, lobster salad, and of course, lobster bisque. And thanks to my local Restaurant Depot, I can buy 2-pound packs of frozen lobster body and claw meat to make all the dishes that Lisa now loves!
Of course, if you don’t have a Restaurant Depot, you can shop at most Supermarkets that carry 8-ounce to 1-pound packs of frozen lobster meat. Look in the frozen seafood area near the fresh seafood in your grocer.
If you love seafood stews, you have to try my delicious cioppino recipe, it is soooo good!
What Kind of Lobster should I use for Soup?
For soup, the only lobster meat you should ever use is body and claw meat. Using lobster tails is a waste of good lobster. The tail meat will toughen and lack the flavor to make this soup ah-mazingly delicious.
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Lobster Chowder Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 ounces lobster claw and body meat frozen or canned
- ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 1 cup diced onions
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 2 cups chicken stock vegetable or seafood stock can be substituted
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- soak lobster meat in milk while preparing soup until needed.
- melt butter in a medium saucepan
- add diced celery, carrots and onion. saute for 3-4 minutes then add flour and stir it all together. Reduce heat to low and allow to cook for about 5 minutes. Do not let this burn or darken!
- Whisk in stock until fully incorporated
- remove lobster meat from milk and set aside.
- Add milk to the soup, mixing well.
- Add potatoes to soup and continue to simmer for about 30 minutes or until potatoes are softened (20-30 minutes)
- add fresh thyme
- sea salt and pepper to taste.
- add lobster and allow to simmer for 7-10 minutes to build the lobster flavor
- Serve and enjoy!
Cherie says
nice 👏
Rosalind says
So amazing!
I made a half recipe to which I added 3 rough chop garlic cloves with the onions as well as 1/2 tsp paprika before serving.
My husband suggested using cream instead of milk, also adding some corn, about 1/2 cup with the lobster.
I will be making this again!
Judi says
Hi Chef! I’m so happy to have found you! I have precooked and frozen langostino tails that I bought from Trader Joe’s. I read the comments about not using the tail meat of the lobster. Do you think these little guys would work? The recipe sounds delicious. Can’t wait to try.
Chef Dennis Littley says
langostinos are a little different from lobster and can be used to make the soup. But with any seafood, don’t let it cook too long in the soup or it will get tough. Add it towards the end of the preperation and since its precooked you just want to give it long enough to get hot, about 10 minutes.
Kim Timian says
I’m always cooking just the normal everyday meals, I do try to get out of my comfort zone once in awhile. This was absolutely amazing on the first try. Thank you so much. I can’t get enough and really don’t want to share.
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed my lobster chowder. I hope you find more delicious recipes on my website to try!
Ponytail says
I made this today and my husband loved it! I added 2 large scallops and 2 jumbo shrimp.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Adding shrimp and scallops was a great addition, I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the chowder!
Calvin says
Can I freeze the leftovers
It was a hit but I am one of them guys that doubles every time
Chef Dennis Littley says
absolutley, the soup freezes well. Just make sure its a well-sealed container.
Becky says
I have frozen lobster tails, do I cook them first or put them in the milk out of their shell ?
Chef Dennis Littley says
Lobster tails are not the best for soup. They will end up rubbery and tough. If that is all you have and you want to make a lobster soup you need to cook the lobster separately and not add the cooked meat until it is served.
To use lobster tails, you can add the shells to the soup and let it simmer as the soup is being made. The shells will add some flavor. Cut up the lobster into small bite-size pieces, and in another pan saute it in butter. Cook it just enough to be done.
Ladle the soup into bowls and add the cooked lobster to the top of the soup.
Cynthia Tarkington says
Hi, looks like a great recipe. I am assuming uncooked fresh lobster meat is soaked in the milk. If so, it will cook when added to the soup for
the last 7-10 minutes? Right?
Thanks, Cynthia
Chef Dennis Littley says
I use cooked lobster claw and body meat for the recipe. You don’t want to use lobster tail it will be tough and a waste of the lobster.
axe says
it says six servings but HOW MUCH is a serving size
Chef Dennis Littley says
serving size will be 8-10 ounces
axe says
thank you sir! the chowder is delicious btw
Diane Harrington says
Great recipe. Good thick chowder. Will make again and try different things from the base. Suggestions?
Claudette says
Her Dennis, thank you. I make this, but substituted 2/3 of the milk with heavy cream. I also added diced shrimp and diced scallops. I know most chefs frown upon folk modifying their recipes, but I had the shrimp and scallops. Next time I may add sweet corn. Thank you.
Diane Harrington says
My son suggested the corn too,. Have you done that? How did it turn out? Fresh corn, frozen, canned? I want to try this with a variety of seafood too. Thanks.
Chef Dennis Littley says
corn would be a nice addition. I do have a corn chowder recipe.