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Lobster stock made with lobster shells.
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5 from 69 votes

Lobster Stock

Lobster stock is a delicious, flavorful base used in soups, sauces, chowders, and bisques where a rich lobster flavor is needed. This lobster stock is flavored with lobster shells from the head, claws, or tails and simmered with carrots, onion, and celery!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Soups
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 cups
Calories: 12kcal
Author: Jamie

Ingredients

  • lobster shells from 2 to 3 whole lobsters or 6 to 9 lobster tails; See Note 1
  • 8 cups filtered water
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste (optional for color)

Aromatics

  • 1 small onion roughly chopped
  • 2 small carrots roughly chopped
  • 2 ribs celery roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic smashed
  • 2 bay leaves

Instructions

  • Saute aromatics: In a large stock pot, saute the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic with vegetable oil until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
    1 small onion, 2 small carrots, 2 ribs celery, 3 cloves garlic, 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Add lobster shells and boil: Next, add the lobster shells, bay leaf, tomato paste (if using), and enough water to cover the shells by 2 inches. I used 8 cups in total. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for at least 1 hour.
    lobster shells from 2 to 3 whole lobsters, 1 teaspoon tomato paste, 2 bay leaves, 8 cups filtered water
    Lobster shells boiling with onions, carrots, and celery in a large pot.
  • Strain: Once the stock is flavorful, strain the shells and aromatics using a fine mesh strainer optionally lined with cheesecloth.
    Lobster stock in a glass container in front of red lobster shells.
  • Storage: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for 2 months. Note: Salt is intentionally left out and should be added at the time of use.
    Lobster stock made with lobster shells.

Notes

Note: The recipe photo did not use tomato paste.
  1. Lobster shells - For a clear stock, remove any tomalley or roe from the lobster, as that can discolor the stock. Additionally, if using the head, be sure to remove the head sac or grain sac. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 12kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2146IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.1mg