Lobsters must be the priciest but the tastiest seafood in the world. One reason for that is the amount of efforts it takes to catch it. That’s why it’s a prize to behold and cooking it the wrong way will waste your money and appetite.

Boiling is one of the best ways to cook the lobster. To avoid it from being gummy and chewy, here’s how to boil lobster the right way:

Boiling the Lobster 101

Step 1 Wash the lobsters properly

Whether it’s freshly caught or newly defrosted, it’s important to observe strict measures before cooking any seafood. Be sure to wash it properly. Don’t just rinse it, but wash it individually to ensure that no residual particles from the ocean should remain to the lobster.

Step 2 Find a large pot that can fit the lobsters

Before proceeding with the boiling process, make sure you have a decent pot to boil all these lobsters. The pot should be big enough to properly hold all of it without feeling like cramping them all in.

Step 3 Add enough water to the pot

Bring your pot to the stove over high heat and add some water. Don’t fill it up with water all the way but leave at least 2-3 inches of space from the top so there’s a space for the water to boil while the lobsters are cooking.

Step 4 Season the pot with salt

Then add 2-3 tablespoons of salt to the pot. It’s highly recommended to use sea salt for more added taste. But if you only have the regular salt, that’s fine, too.

Step 5 Boil the water over high heat

Have the water with salt to start boiling over high heat. While waiting for it to boil, have your lobsters ready.

Step 6 Add the lobsters one by one

As soon as the water boils, add each lobster one by one making sure that its head is going down first. This is to avoid the lobster from flipping over (especially if you caught fresh ones) that could result in possible injuries on your side. Make sure all of the lobsters are well submerged and cover the pot with a lid.

Step 7 Boil the lobsters

Let the water bring back to a boil and once it does, that’s the point where you start timing your lobsters’ cooking time. For a pound of lobsters, you should cook it for only 5 minutes. Add 5 minutes more for every additional pound. For example, if you have 4 pounds of lobsters to boil, cook it for 20 minutes.

Step 8 Serve and enjoy

Once the cooking time is over, slowly take out each of the lobsters and poke its tail with a sharp knife to drain excess water from boiling. If you like it with more juice, you can skip this part. Serve it with a homemade butter garlic sauce and enjoy its fresh and tender taste.

Follow this simple cooking guide in boiling your lobsters to ensure that it would taste as delectable as it looks.