Gluten-Free Steamed Lobster With Drawn Butter

This Gluten-Free Steamed Lobster with Drawn Butter is pure New England summer magic. It takes me back to a weekend on a Maine island with no electricity—just friends, fresh lobster, paper plates, and cold beer. My dear friend Heather taught me this simple, unforgettable recipe. It’s celebration food, the kind that brings people together around the table or the dock.

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A classic New England feast, simple and unforgettable—naturally gluten-free and straight from the coast.

This recipe holds such a special place in my heart. It brings me right back to a weekend spent on a remote island in Maine, the summer after my freshman year at Notre Dame. There was no electricity, just the company of good friends, paper plates, cold beer, and fresh lobster cooked over fire. My dear friend Heather, taught me how to steam lobster and serve it the Boston way—with drawn butter and no fuss.

To this day, steamed lobster is a tradition I treasure. It’s simple, celebratory, and totally gluten-free by nature—just the kind of recipe I love sharing.

How to Steam Lobster

1. Bring water to a boil: Fill a large pot with 2-3 inches of water and add 1–2 tablespoons of sea salt. You can place a steaming rack or insert at the bottom, but that's not 100% necessary.

2. Add lobsters: Once the water is boiling, carefully add the lobsters headfirst, then cover tightly.

3. Steam:

   • 1 lb. lobster: 13 minutes

   • 1.5 lb. lobster: 15 minutes

   • 2 lbs lobster: 18 minutes

4. Check for doneness: The shell will turn bright red, and the meat should be opaque and firm.

5. Rest and serve: Let lobsters rest for a few minutes before cracking.
   

For the Drawn Butter

• Melt 1 stick of butter over low heat until fully melted.

• Serve warm in small ramekins or dipping dishes.

• I like to add a sprinkle of garlic powder to the butter.
  

Tools You’ll Need

• Large stockpot or lobster pot with a lid

• Steaming rack or insert (or improvise with a metal strainer)

• Seafood crackers or nutcrackers

• Small forks or seafood picks

• Kitchen shears (great for cutting through shells)

• Butter warmer with spot for tea candles for the drawn butter

If you're feeding a crowd, you might want a plastic tablecloth and paper towels, too—this is a fun, messy, and hands-on meal!

Serving Suggestions

This dish is perfect with:

• Steamed or roasted potatoes

• Corn on the cob

• Gluten-free rolls or baguette slices

• A simple green salad

• And of course, cold drinks—cold GF beer, Chardonnay, or festive bubbly.
  

A Note from My Kitchen

One of my favorite parts of this recipe is how little it needs to shine. No complicated prep, just great ingredients and good company. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or just soaking up summer, this lobster feast is a reminder that the best meals are often the simplest and the most memorable. If you’ve never cooked lobster at home, don’t be intimidated. It’s easier than it looks, and once you do it, you’ll wonder why you ever waited.

Recipe Gluten-Free Steamed Lobster With Drawn Butter