Emeril's Homemade Lobster Sauce

Written by
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks.
Learn about our editorial process
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Published on 10/19/19 by Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats's Editorial Process

Updated 10/19/19

Lobster
Emilie Duchesne / Getty Images
  • Total: 100 mins
  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 90 mins
  • Yield: 3 cups (12 servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
221 Calories
15g Fat
9g Carbs
14g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3 cups (12 servings)
Amount per serving
Calories 221
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 118mg 39%
Sodium 673mg 29%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 14g
Calcium 110mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Do not toss those lobster shells. Make this delicious sauce from lobster shells and vegetables. The same method may be used with crab or shrimp shells. The sauce can be made up to two days in advance. This recipe is taken from "Prime Time Emeril" by Emeril Lagasse.

About Lobster 'Shells'

Lobster, crab, crawfish, and shrimp are crustaceans. They are characterized by a segmented body and an exoskeleton. What they do not have is a shell. What is called the shell on these types of seafood is actually a carapace. But for simplicity and in common usage, they are called shells. 

Other Uses for Lobster Shells

Lobster shells are rich in flavor and can be used in all kinds of dishes. Make a lobster broth to mix with pasta and other additions you like. Make a bisque by adding cream and either shrimp, crab or lobster to the broth, depending on which shells you have used for the broth.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
  • 1/2 cup yellow onions (finely chopped)
  • 1/4 cup celery (finely chopped)
  • 1/4 cup carrots (finely chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons shallots (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons bleached all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cognac (or other brandy)
  • Reserved shells from 1 to 1 1/2 pound lobsters
  • 4 cups shrimp stock (or canned low-sodium chicken broth)
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Steps to Make It

  1.  Heat the oil and melt the butter in a medium heavy stockpot over medium-high heat.

  2. Add the onions, celery, and carrots and cook until soft, about 4 minutes.

  3. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.

  4. Stir in the flour and continue to stir until the mixture is a light blond color, about 2 minutes.

  5. Add the cognac or brandy and stir for 30 seconds, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to release browned bits.

  6. Add the lobster shells, then stir in the shrimp stock.

  7. Bring to a boil over high heat.

  8. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the tomato paste, salt, paprika, and cayenne. Simmer uncovered, stirring often until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 1 hour.

  9. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium saucepan.

  10. Add the cream and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

  11. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer briskly until reduced to about 3 cups, about 15 minutes.

  12. Use warm. (The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.)

  13. Use with or as a finishing sauce for seafood.

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