This easy Garlic Lobster Noodles recipe is a scrumptious and decadent stir fry with Asian flair. Linguine with lobster morsels is tossed with a sauté of mushrooms, green onions, oodles of garlic and a salty, sweet and savory sauce. It’s culinary masterpiece you won’t forget.
Why this recipe is a keeper
Asian inspired dishes are frequent requests of my personal chef clients and around our kitchen table. Favorites include my hibachi shrimp and vegetables or beef and sugar snap pea stir fry.
So when I snagged a couple lobsters for $6.99 per pound recently, I knew I wanted to make something instead of steamed whole lobster or lobster rolls.
A knockout recipe with the sweet, salty and savory flavors of Asian cooking paired with satisfying noodles was what I craved.
A bed of delicious noodles was the ideal backdrop for an Asian inspired dish featuring lobster. It’s my easy and simplified version of the stir fried Chinese food dish of lobster yee mien.
The tender lobster, sauteed garlic and green onions, and traditional Asian ingredients make this dish rich and flavorful. It’s gourmet yet comforting as noodle dishes are so satisfying. And a great way to impress dinner guests is with this exquisite dish
Ingredients and substitutions
Grab everyday Asian ingredients, noodles, fresh produce and a couple lobsters for this recipe that celebrates seafood.
-linguine ~ Long noodles are my preference for this recipe. Other options are fettuccine, spaghetti and angel hair pasta. Short pastas like rotini, shells, and bowties are also alternatives.
-lobster meat ~ Rich cooked lobster meat makes this dish decadent. Either buy cooked lobster meat or steam lobsters with my directions below. Substitutes for the lobster include cooked shrimp, scallops or chicken.
-salted butter ~ Unsalted butter is an alternative.
-button mushrooms ~ Cremini mushrooms are also tasty in the recipe.
-green onions ~ A mild onion such as shallots are a good substitute.
-garlic cloves ~ Fresh garlic is the way to go with this recipe.
-oyster sauce ~ This umami rich sauce is salty with a hint of sweetness. It gives the dish its authentic Asian flavor.
-light brown sugar ~ Dark brown sugar or honey are alternatives.
-reduced sodium soy sauce ~ Substitute tamari or regular soy sauce too.
-toasted sesame oil ~ Just a touch to adds a nutty, earthiness to the dish.
-red pepper flakes ~ Try a dash of your favorite hot sauce to add a bit a spiciness.
-Scroll to the recipe for full quantities of the ingredients.
what’s the best way to cook lobster?
Already cooked lobster meat can be used in this recipe. Or you can cook the lobsters yourself. It’s actually really easy.
Steaming lobsters is my preferred method of cooking. Boiled lobsters tend to be more watery as the water penetrates the lobster shell.
To steam lobsters, to a large stock pot, add about 3 inches of cold water and bring it to a vigorous boil. Add the whole lobsters to the pot. Cover the pot. Bring the water back to a boil then start your timer.
Steam the lobsters. 1 1/4 pound lobsters take 8 – 9 minutes to cook. 1 1/2 pound lobsters take 11-12 minutes to cook.
Using tongs, remove the lobsters from the pot to a large bowl. After they cool a bit, remove the meat from the lobster shell. It’s ready to use in the recipe.
Recipe instructions
The combination of ingredients in this lobster noodle dish create a unique blend of flavors and textures offering a delightful culinary experience.
variations of this recipe
Try these variations to lobster noodles.
Delete the heat – Omit the red pepper flakes so the dish isn’t spicy.
Change the vegetables – Add sliced carrots, diced zucchini, peas or broccoli florets instead of the mushrooms.
Make it vegetarian – Skip the lobster to make the dish a vegetarian favorite.
Add your favorite protein – These stir fry noodles are a tasty base for any protein. Cook any meat you use before adding it. Try shrimp,
scallops, salmon, swordfish, chicken, pork tenderloin, steak and cubed tofu.
Recommended equipment
Having the right equipment can make cooking a breeze. I recommend the following kitchen utensils and equipment for these lobster noodles.
stock pot,colander,long metal tongs,cutting boards,chef knife,metal measuring spoons,large sauté pan or wok set,heat resistant utensils.
Storage and reheating instructions
Store any lobster noodle leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. These meal prep containers are my favorites. I don’t suggest freezing this recipe as it doesn’t hold up well.
To reheat, microwave on 60 percent power for 1-2 minutes. Continue microwaving at 30 second intervals until the lobster and noodles are heated. Check your microwave for instructions on how to heat on a lower power.
Top recipe tip
For a perfectly cooked lobster, the internal temperature of the thickest part of the tail will be 135 to 140 degrees on a digital thermometer.
FAQ
How much lobster meat is in a cooked lobster?
A 1 1/4 pound lobster will yield about 4 – 5 ounces of lobster meat. A 1 1/2 pound lobster will yield about 6 – 8 ounces of lobster meat.
What is traditional lobster yee mein?
It’s a celebratory classic Chinese dish made with noodles. Usually served at weddings and Chinese New Year, the dish features lobster deep fried in its shell.
Can you use frozen lobster meat in garlic lobster noodles?
Yes. Most frozen lobster meat is sold cooked. Thaw the meat and then use it in the recipe.
INGREDIENTS
12 ounces linguine or other thin noodles,2 ~ 1 1/2 pound lobsters or about 12 to 16 ounces of cooked lobster meat,4 tablespoons salted butter,8 ounces of button mushrooms, thickly sliced,8 garlic cloves, minced,1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced and divided,5 tablespoons oyster sauce,2 tablespoons light brown sugar,1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce,2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil,1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
NOTES
Delete the heat – Omit the red pepper flakes so the dish isn’t spicy.
Change the vegetables – add sliced carrots, diced zucchini peas or broccoli florets instead of the mushrooms.
Make it vegetarian – skip the lobster to make the dish a vegetarian favorite.
Add your favorite protein – These stir fry noodles are a tasty base for any protein. Cook any meat you use before adding it. Try shrimp, scallops, salmon, swordfish, chicken, pork tenderloin, steak and cubed tofu.
NUTRITION
Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe Calories: 493Sugar: 8.7g Sodium: 933mg Fat: 16.1g Saturated Fat: 7.9g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat:0g Carbohydrates: 54g Fiber: 4.1g Protein: 32.1g Cholesterol: 196mg