Lobster is a delicacy that many people enjoy, but what do you do with the minced lobster meat that’s left over after you’ve cooked the lobster?
This finely processed meat is extracted from the tiny crevices of the lobster body between the bones and knobby joints, resulting in a delicate-textured product that resembles minced lobster meat. It’s also exceedingly moist, making it perfect for a variety of dishes.
In this article, we’ll explore some creative and delicious ways to use minced lobster meat, from classic lobster cakes to gourmet stuffed red snapper. So, let’s dive in and discover the many possibilities of this delectable ingredient!
What To Do With Minced Lobster Meat?
One of the most popular ways to use minced lobster meat is to make lobster cakes. To do this, melt butter in a skillet and cook chopped scallions and garlic until fragrant. Stir in the lobster meat and chopped parsley, then transfer the mixture to a bowl and add Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, egg, hot sauce, and seasonings. Add panko bread crumbs and combine until smooth. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, shape into cakes, dredge in additional panko bread crumbs, and cook in a nonstick skillet until golden on the outside and cooked on the inside.
Another delicious option is to make a lobster souffle by shredding the minced lobster meat and mixing it with a sauce made of sauteed diced onion, tomato paste, whole tomatoes, minced garlic, thyme, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Drizzle cooking oil over the mixture and let it simmer until the lobster absorbs the oil and sauce and puffs up almost like a souffle. This dish is perfect as a main course for a special occasion.
For a gourmet twist, try using minced lobster meat to stuff a whole red snapper. After shredding the meat finely, stuff it into the cavity of the fish along with herbs and spices of your choice. Bake in the oven for a truly impressive dish that’s fit for a king!
Classic Lobster Cakes
If you’re looking for a classic way to use minced lobster meat, look no further than lobster cakes. These delicious cakes are made with a combination of real and imitation lobster and fish flakes, and are seasoned with just the right amount of spices and seasoning to make them a perfect pairing with the included butter sauce. Made by hand fresh in the USA, each cake is crafted with care and attention to detail, ensuring that you get a gourmet meal that is sure to please.
To make your own lobster cakes at home, start by melting butter in a skillet and cooking chopped scallions and garlic until fragrant. Stir in the minced lobster meat and chopped parsley, then transfer the mixture to a bowl and add Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, egg, hot sauce, and seasonings. Add panko bread crumbs and combine until smooth. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, shape into cakes, dredge in additional panko bread crumbs, and cook in a nonstick skillet until golden on the outside and cooked on the inside.
These lobster cakes are perfect for summer, and can be served as an appetizer or light lunch with a squeeze of lemon and a simple slaw or salad. They’re also a great addition to salads, soups, sandwiches, and pastas. And because they’re made with sustainable seafood products that are certified by an independent third-party or have an unqualified on-pack marketing claim relating to being sustainably sourced, you can feel good about enjoying them.
Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms
If you’re looking for a tasty and elegant appetizer to impress your guests, lobster stuffed mushrooms are a great choice. To make this dish, start by cleaning out the gills of 12 large mushrooms and chopping up the stems. Heat a medium saucepan and add saffron, toasting it quickly before adding wine and simmering for a few minutes. Add chopped cooked lobster meat, bread crumbs, mushroom stems, Parmesan cheese, pecorino Romano, heavy cream, and seasonings to the saucepan and mix well. Spoon the stuffing into the mushroom caps and top with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. The result is a delicious and decadent appetizer that will surely impress your guests.
Lobster Bisque
Lobster Bisque is a classic and indulgent soup that’s perfect for a fancy dinner party or a cozy night in. It’s surprisingly easy to make, especially if you have minced lobster meat on hand. To start, saute onions, carrots, and celery in butter until soft, then add garlic and tomato paste. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and cook for an additional minute before adding seafood stock and white wine. Let everything simmer for 30 minutes before removing the bay leaf and thyme and pureeing the mixture until smooth with an immersion blender. Return the bisque to medium-low heat and stir in heavy cream and minced lobster meat until warm. Garnish with chives before serving for a luxurious dining experience.
Lobster Risotto
If you’re looking for a dish that’s both elegant and comforting, lobster risotto is the perfect choice. This dish is made by cooking Arborio rice in lobster stock and white wine, then adding in diced lobster meat, butter, mascarpone cheese (or cream cheese), lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste. The result is a rich and creamy risotto that’s sure to impress your guests.
To make lobster risotto, start by heating a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add some olive oil, minced shallots, and minced garlic, and cook for 1-2 minutes until the shallots and garlic are slightly softened. Add in the Arborio rice and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the white wine. Cook for about a minute while stirring, then add about one-third to half of the lobster stock to the skillet or frying pan of rice.
Stir the rice occasionally and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until most of the lobster stock has been absorbed. Add the remaining lobster stock in portions (using a ladle portion each time) until your Arborio rice is slightly translucent and still al denté (firm to the bite) in texture. This should take about 20 minutes once you start adding the lobster stock.
Once the risotto has reached the right texture, add in the diced lobster meat, butter, mascarpone cheese (or cream cheese), lemon zest, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir vigorously to incorporate all of the ingredients throughout the risotto until you have a nice creamy consistency. Serve immediately garnished with optional Parmigiano and chives (or parsley).
Lobster risotto is a deliciously decadent dish that’s perfect for special occasions or cozy nights in. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover minced lobster meat you may have on hand!
Lobster Mac And Cheese
If you’re looking for a comforting and indulgent way to use minced lobster meat, look no further than lobster mac and cheese. This dish takes the classic comfort food to a whole new level by adding chunks of succulent lobster meat to the mix. To make it, start by cooking elbow macaroni according to package instructions. In a separate pot, melt butter and whisk in flour to create a roux. Slowly add in whole milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Add in shredded cheddar and gruyere cheese, along with minced garlic and nutmeg for flavor. Fold in the cooked lobster meat and the cooked pasta, then transfer everything to a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter and bake in the oven until golden brown and bubbly.
The result is an ultra-creamy and decadent dish that’s perfect for a special occasion or a cozy night in. The combination of tender lobster meat and gooey cheese sauce is sure to impress even the most discerning of palates. So next time you have some minced lobster meat on hand, consider making lobster mac and cheese for a truly indulgent meal.
Lobster Stuffed Red Snapper
If you’re looking for a show-stopping dish, consider making lobster stuffed red snapper. This dish is perfect for a special occasion or a dinner party with friends and family. To start, preheat your oven to 400°F and prepare the lobster filling.
In a small bowl, mix together minced lobster meat, chopped herbs such as rosemary or thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stuff the lobster filling into the cavity of a whole red snapper, making sure to pack it in tightly. You can also add additional vegetables like sliced onions or bell peppers for extra flavor.
Next, wrap the stuffed fish in foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the fish is opaque and cooked through. Once done, carefully remove the foil and transfer the fish to a serving platter.
For an extra special touch, serve the lobster stuffed red snapper with a curry mango mojito sauce or a wine-butter sauce. Your guests will be impressed with this delicious and elegant dish that’s sure to be a hit at any dinner party.
