Homemade Lobster Stock
Remember those Sriracha Lobster Rolls? Seriously fabulous chunks of Maine lobster meat tossed in a tangy, spicy, mayonnais-y sauce and loaded onto a soft buttered and lightly toasted potato roll? Do you remember me imploring you not to throw away the shells? I hope you listened, because today, we’re making Homemade Lobster Stock and it’s a whole lot easier than you might think.
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If you’ve never bothered to make your own lobster stock before, you may be wondering what all the hubbub is about. Can’t you just buy the canned broth or stock? Well, yes — and I won’t pass judgement on you for keeping a few cartons of chicken or beef broth in the pantry for a last minute meal. But when it comes to lobster stock – no. And here’s why – it’s not readily available – they don’t sell lobster stock in a convenient 1 quart carton — and even if they did, it wouldn’t be lobster — it would be salt with lobster-esque “flavorings”.
For the real thing, you’re going to have to start with a real lobster. Steam it. Pick out the meat — enjoy it in this fabulous lobster roll, make lobster ravioli sauce or try a Connecticut lobster roll dipped in clarified butter and then make this stock using the shells.
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In a large, heavy skillet, heat some onions, celery and garlic in olive oil until soft and translucent.
Add the lobster shells, spices and fresh thyme and simmer for a few minutes with the lid on the pan.
Then add the wine and tomatoes, simmer for another couple of minutes.
Cover the lobster shells with cold water and turn the heat up to bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the pot tightly and simmer for 40-50 minutes. The shells and aromatics will infuse the liquid and eke out every bit of flavor they’re still holding onto — and your house will smell pretty remarkable too!
Strain the stock from the shells by ladling them into a sieve set over a large bowl. Press on the solids with the back of a wooden spoon to extract every bit of essence from the shells and vegetables. Do this in batches and discard the solids afterwards.
Now use a fine-mesh sieve to strain the stock again. That’s it! Lobster stock! You can freeze it in ice cube trays or in pint or quart-sized containers for up to 3 months. This batch made about 7 1/2 cups of stock. I’ve already got a few ideas on what to make with it. Emily is pestering me for a Lobster Mac and Cheese (surprise, surprise), I’m dreaming of gnocchi in lobster brodo, and Scott wants a seafood paella. What would you do with it?
More homemade stock recipes:
- Homemade Turkey Stock from Thanksgiving Leftovers
- Chicken Stock from Rotisserie Chicken
- Instant Pot Beef Bone Broth
- Homemade Vegetable Broth
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Easy Lobster Stock
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:
- 1 extra large deep skillet with lid or dutch oven
- 1 regular mesh strainer
- 1 fine mesh strainer
INGREDIENTS:
- claws head, empty carapace of 2 steamed lobsters, cut into 3″ pieces
- 4 large cloves garlic chopped
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 stalk celery chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 6-8 sprigs thyme
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed lightly crushed
- dash red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes in their own juice
- 2 cups white wine dry
- 6 cups water
DIRECTIONS:
- In an extra large skillet with 3-4 inch side, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and garlic and cook until vegetables are tender and fragrant — do not brown the vegetables and remove from heat if they do start to take on color.
- Add the bay leaves, thyme, fennel seed, red pepper flakes and lobster shells — stir to combine and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the tomatoes and white wine and turn up the heat to medium high. Bring the liquids to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes, then stir in the water, heat the mixture almost to a boil, cover tightly with a lid, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Place a standard mesh strainer over a large bowl. In batches, transfer the shells, vegetables and broth to the strainer, pressing on the solids with the back of a spoon to get all of the liquids and juices out of them. Discard the solids. Set a fine mesh strainer over another large bowl or an extra large measuring cup. Pour the liquid through the fine mesh strainer, pressing and stirring with the back side of a spoon. Discard solids. Makes 6-8 cups of stock.
- Stock will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months, frozen.
So simple and easy. I’m freezing it for future use.
This lobster stock is perfect. I used it in a fish stew recipe and it was fantastic.