Poor Man's Lobster Recipe Made with Halibut or Cod (2024)

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Poor Man’s Lobster is a white fish recipe that only takes a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand and is ready in just 15 minutes! It is cooked similar to lobster, once it boiled, topped with lemon juice it’s texture mimics lobster and dipped in butter it tastes just like it! No “fishy” taste! A great way to use that halibut or cod you have in your freezer.

Poor Man's Lobster Recipe Made with Halibut or Cod (1)

You are going to love this easy and macro friendly fish recipe. It is a great way to use your white fish you have in the freezer from your fishing trips! This is a more budget friendly way to have “lobster” using halibut or cod. It will WOW a crowd for any gathering. It’s one of our favorites serve up at Fish fry or Super Bowl parties.

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What fish is known for Poor Man’s Lobster?

The most popular fish we use for this is Halibut that we have caught up in Alaska. This is actually how we got this recipe! About 20 years ago when my dad went on his first fishing trip there! It’s a tried and true recipe that the whole family loves.

We have also used Cod. It is a little more flakey than, and falls apart more than the halibut. Side-by-side Cod has the same flavor as lobster AND it is easily found – we often buy ours frozen at Costco and keep on hand.

Monkfish is also considered Poor man’s lobster but we have never used this. If you have, I’d love to hear how it compares to halibut and cod!

Poor Man's Lobster Recipe Made with Halibut or Cod (2)

What is Poor man’s lobster made from? or what ingredients do you need?

  • White fish: Halibut or Cod
  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Butter
  • Lemon

It really is one of the most simple, fun, delicious and party pleasing recipes you can make. This is a recipe that usually takes those that don’t like fish and changes their minds!

Poor Man's Lobster Recipe Made with Halibut or Cod (3)

Poor Man's Lobster Recipe Made with Halibut or Cod (4)

How to make Poor Man’s Lobster quickly:

  1. In a medium pot bring 2 quarts of water, sugar and salt to a boil.
  2. Cut the halibut or cod into 2-3 large pieces.
  3. Next, add your halibut or cod to the water.
  4. Boil your fish for about 10 minutes, the fish will float to the top of the water, be firmer and flaky!
  5. As the fish cooks, melt butter in a pot for dipping.
  6. When the fish is done cooking thoroughly. You will remove it from water and onto paper towel lined plate. Top with lemon juice to liking.
  7. Plate your fish with veggies and sides, melted butter and sliced lemon. Top with your favorite seasonings if desired.
  8. Dip and enjoy! This would go awesome with a side of our !

How do I tell if my Halibut or Cod is done or cooked thoroughly?

For a firm and flaky fish, you will want to cook it to 130 to 135°F. The center of the fish will be opaque, and not pink. Besides a food thermometer, another great way to tell if your fish is done is bysimply testing it with a fork. This is done by sticking your fork at the thickest point of your halibut or cod, and then gently twisting with your fork. If done, your fish will flake off easily. Again, you will see that has lost its translucent, glossy, pink or raw appearance.

What is the difference between Cod and Halibut?

The question often comes Cod vs. Halibut. The main difference we’ve noticed is Halibut has a strong flavor, (when not cooked in the Poor Man’s Lobster Recipe) whereas Cod has a mild flavor. As I show in my Pinterest Idea Pin Video: Halibut is much more dense and firm texture.

You will see in that video that Cod has a flaky and dense texture. Cod is often served in fillets, where as Halibut more in steaks – which may be a contributing factor. I’ve noticed that Costco’s cod is usually packaged more steak like, which is perfect for this recipe. Overall, my husband, we will call him the lobster expert, says that they both taste like lobster which is our goal today!

If you love this recipe, please be sure to give it a star rating and leave a comment. This helps other readers find and decide on the recipe!

If you make it, be sure to tag us on social @brittney.long on IG or the show us your take on Pinterest!

Poor Man's Lobster Recipe Made with Halibut or Cod (5)

Original photo:

Poor Man's Lobster Recipe Made with Halibut or Cod (6)

Serve it with these Easy Cheesy Dutch Oven Potatoes with Bacon. If you are making this while camping (highly recommend) check out 5 easy meals for hunting camp here.

Poor Man's Lobster Recipe Made with Halibut or Cod (7)

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Poor Man's Lobster Recipe Made with Halibut or Cod (8)

5 from 1 vote

Print

Poor Man’s Lobster

This is a white fish recipe that only takes a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand and is quick! It is cooked similar to lobster, once it boiled, topped with lemon juice it's texture mimics lobster and dipped in butter it tastes just like it! No "fishy" taste!

CourseMain Course

CuisineAmerican

KeywordFish, Wild Game

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 198 kcal

Author Brittney

Ingredients

  • 1lbsHalibut or Cod
  • 1/2cupsugar
  • 1/4cupsalt
  • 1/2cupbutterunsalted. Optional: used for dipping.
  • 1lemon

Instructions

  1. In a medium pot bring 2 quarts of water, sugar and salt to a boil.

  2. Cut the halibut or cod into 2-3 large pieces.

  3. Then add your halibut or cod to the water. Boil your fish for about 10 minutes, the fish will float to the top of the water, be firmer and flaky!

  4. While the fish cooks, melt butter in a pot for dipping.

  5. When fish is done cooking remove from water onto paper towel lined plate. Top with lemon juice to liking.

  6. Plate your fish with veggies and sides, melted butter and sliced lemon. Dip and Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

This recipe is best served fresh! However, this could be great to add to meal prep for salad, tacos or rice bowls.

Calories 198 | Total Fat 1.4 g (NOTE: this is without the butter, you will need to determine your butter dipping and add seperately) | Total Carbs 26.2 g | Protein 19.1 g

Poor Man's Lobster Recipe Made with Halibut or Cod (2024)

FAQs

What fish is considered the poor man's lobster? ›

Monkfish is groundfish, meaning it swims and feeds along the bottom of the ocean. It's known to some as "the poor man's lobster" because of its firm, sweet, and delicious taste similar to lobster tails, and to some as "all mouth", because most of the fish is taken up by the head and most of the head is mouth.

Why is it called poor mans lobster? ›

Being a delicate, mild, white-fleshed fish, burbot is versatile in preparation possibilities. When boiled and dipped in garlic butter, burbot tastes and feels like lobster. In fact, many folks call burbot, “Poor Man's Lobster.”

How to make imitation lobster? ›

Directions
  1. Cut fillets into 2-in. x 2-in. pieces; place in a large skillet. Cover with water. Add salt and seafood seasoning; bring to a boil. ...
  2. Cover with cold water. Add vinegar and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Drain.
Jun 27, 2023

What is a good alternative to lobster meat? ›

King Oyster Mushrooms - this will give you a taste and texture of lobster meat. These mushrooms can also be referred to as king mushrooms or king trumpet mushrooms. They have a large meaty stalk and a small brown cap. I always find them at my local Asian market and sometimes at whole foods or large grocery stores.

What is poor man's lobster made of? ›

Today we're making Poor Man's Lobster that is so easy and affordable. Lots of people like to use halibut for this dish, but cod works just as well, and that's what we'll be cooking up today. You can use any white fish that has enough texture and size that you can easily cut it into 1″ x 1″ chunks.

Is halibut fishy tasting? ›

Halibut ranks among the best fish for people who think they don't like fish. The least fishy fish are mild white fish (including cod, flounder, Alaskan halibut) that taste slightly sweet have almost no Umami flavor. Umami is the savory, salty, and briny flavor which seafood lovers enjoy.

Why are they saying not to eat lobster? ›

Conservation groups say that the ropes used to fish for lobsters often entangle critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. But lobstermen say they comply with state and federal rules for fishing.

What did slaves eat lobster? ›

Lobsters were considered the “poor man's chicken” and primarily used for fertilizer or fed to prisoners and slaves. Some indentures servants even revolted against being forced to eat the meat and the colony agreed that they would not be fed lobster meat more than three times a week.

Why are people boycotting lobster? ›

In September, the California-based Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch “red-listed” American lobster caught in the U.S. and Canada. Seafood Watch claims that the lobster fishery poses an entanglement risk to endangered North Atlantic right whales and recommends that consumers avoid purchasing lobster.

What does vinegar do to lobster? ›

Add vinegar to the sauteed lobster. Vinegar helps to thicken the milk and also takes away any fishy taste the lobster might have. Reduce heat to medium-low and add blend to the lobster, so it will thicken and make a tasty lobster cream sauce.

Why do you put butter on lobster? ›

Butter poaching is the gourmet chef's choice preparation for lobster, and it ensures that the lobster meat is perfectly tender and full of flavor. Our Butter Poached Lobster Tail is ready to eat in minutes.

What not to eat from lobster? ›

Avoid eating the tail vein, as well as any cartilage or portions of the shell. Lastly, while the tomalley—the soft green paste in the body cavity—is technically edible, current guidance says you should refrain from eating it because it may contain high levels of toxins.

Which cooking method is best for lobster? ›

Steaming lobsters is the preferred way to cook whole, live lobsters for a few reasons: you're less likely to overcook lobsters when steaming, the entire cook time is shorter and the process of cooking and removing the lobsters from the pot is a lot easier. Get a pot large enough to hold your lobsters.

What is the preferred cooking method for lobster? ›

Steaming cooks whole lobsters more slowly than boiling, so it reduces the chance of overcooking and offers more control. It also makes less of a mess! Go with steaming if you plan on serving whole lobster at a sit down dinner. Keep the lid on tight to keep in the steam.

Is lobster a poor mans food? ›

1772, National Trust, Kedleston Hall and Eastern Museum, Derbyshire. lobster was so abundant and detested that it was considered a “poor man's meal”, reserved for prisoners, apprentices, and enslaved people.

Is crawfish a poor mans lobster? ›

Crawfish have been called many things – one of these things being the “poor man's lobster”.

What Florida fish tastes like lobster? ›

1. Grouper. There are more than 400 different species of grouper in the sea, but the most popular Florida favorites are Black Grouper, Red Grouper and Gag. This type of fish has a very mild flavor (somewhere in between seabass and halibut) with a light, sweet taste and large, chunky flakes, almost like lobster or crab.

What fish is related to the lobster? ›

Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans belonging to the infraorder Astacidea, which also contains lobsters. Taxonomically, they are members of the superfamilies Astacoidea and Parastacoidea. They breathe through feather-like gills.

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