Lobster Thermidor

4.6
(51)

This stunning lobster Thermidor is surprisingly simple to make. Lobster shells are stuffed with cooked lobster in a creamy white wine sauce, then topped with Parmesan cheese and broiled until golden.

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A platter of lobster thermidor, served with lemon wedges and topped with chopped parsley
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
2

Restaurant-worthy lobster thermidor is easier to make than you think. This top-rated lobster thermidor recipe, topped with a flavorful wine-cream sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, is perfect for any special occasion!

What Is Lobster Thermidor?

Lobster thermidor is a French dish consisting of diced lobster meat stuffed into a lobster shell, topped with a buttery wine sauce, sprinkled with cheese, and broiled. The iconic dish gets its name from a popular 1891 play called Thermidor by Victorien Sardou.

How to Make Lobster Thermidor

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make lobster thermidor at home:

  1. Stuff the lobsters: Cut the lobsters in half and remove the meat. Cut the meat into pieces, then return them to the shells.
  2. Make the sauce: Cook the shallots in butter, then add the wine and cream. Bring to a boil, cook until reduced, and add the remaining ingredients (besides the cheese).
  3. Assemble and broil: Spoon the sauce over the stuffed lobsters and sprinkle with cheese. Broil the lobsters until the cheese is golden brown.

What to Serve With Lobster Thermidor

Looking for serving ideas for lobster thermidor? Explore our collection of Lobster Side Dishes for delicious inspiration. Here's a preview of what you'll find:

Can You Make Lobster Thermidor Ahead of Time?

It's best to cook lobster thermidor right before you plan to serve it. However, you can prep it a day or two in advance! Simply stuff the lobster and spoon the sauce over them. About 10 minutes before you plan to eat, sprinkle the lobsters with Parmesan and cook them according to the recipe.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"I made this for my wife on Valentine's Day," says Michael Thompson. "It turned out really well. I paired this with seared scallops and a small salad."

"Impressive looking dish for guests," according to one Allrecipes community member."Like another reviewer said, you can prep it ahead of time and then just pop it in the oven when the guests have arrived. Do not skip the tarragon or the sprinkle of cayenne to bring the flavors over the top!"

"This recipe was amazing," raves Sara James. "We didn't have the cognac or brandy but it was great without it. A huge hit for a very special occasion. It is going into the rotation for our indulgent dinners."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 2 servings

  • 1 medium (1 ½ pound) cooked lobster

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 1 shallot, finely chopped

  • 1 ⅜ cups fresh fish stock

  • ¼ cup white wine

  • ¼ cup heavy cream

  • ½ teaspoon hot English mustard

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients to make lobster thermidor

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Cut lobster in half lengthwise, and remove any meat from the claws, tail, and head. Cut meat into pieces and place back into the shells.

    A cutting board with a lobster, sliced in half lengthwise, with meat removed and chopped

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallot; cook and stir until tender.

    A pan with chopped shallot cooking in butter

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Mix in fish stock, white wine, and cream. Bring to a boil, and cook until reduced by half. Mix in parsley, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper.

    A pan with butter-wine sauce with chopped parsley, next to a small bowl of salt and pepper

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Preheat your oven's broiler. Place stuffed lobster halves on a broiling pan or baking sheet. Spoon sauce over the meat and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

    A baking sheet with a lobster, cut in half lengthwise, topped with butter sauce and parmesan cheese

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Broil in the preheated oven until just golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.

    A baking tray with broiled lobster thermidor

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Serve immediately.

    A platter of lobster thermidor, served with lemon wedges and topped with chopped parsley

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

111 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

653 Calories
28g Fat
14g Carbs
77g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 2
Calories 653
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Cholesterol 323mg 108%
Sodium 2060mg 90%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 77g 153%
Vitamin C 10mg 12%
Calcium 408mg 31%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 1505mg 32%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.