How Many People Does a 2 lb Lobster Feed?

December 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to seafood experts, a two-pound live lobster, also known as a "deuce," is generally considered a generous individual serving for one person with a hearty appetite. However, the number of people a 2 lb lobster can feed depends heavily on how it is prepared and what other dishes are served alongside it.

Quick Summary

A 2 lb lobster can serve one person as a generous main course or be shared among two to four people as part of a larger meal. The final serving size is influenced by whether it's an appetizer or an entrée, the other foods served, and your guests' appetites.

Key Points

Yields 6-8 ounces of meat: A 2 lb whole lobster produces about 6 to 8 ounces of edible meat, a crucial factor for accurate serving size calculations.
Serves one as a main course: For a classic, generous lobster dinner, one 2 lb lobster is typically considered a full and satisfying individual entrée.
Can be shared by two to four people: When incorporated into recipes like lobster rolls or pasta, or served as part of a multi-course meal, a 2 lb lobster can serve multiple diners.
Portion size depends on preparation: The serving calculation changes based on whether the lobster is the main protein or a complementary ingredient in a larger dish.
Side dishes matter: The number of people a 2 lb lobster can feed is also influenced by how many and what kind of side dishes are served.
Shells can be reused: Save the shells to make a flavorful stock for bisques or sauces, maximizing the value of your lobster.

Sizing Up the 2 lb Lobster: What's the Yield?

When you buy a whole, live lobster, not all of its weight is edible meat. The shell, tomalley, and other inedible parts account for a significant portion of its total weight. On average, you can expect a meat yield of about 25% from a whole lobster, although some varieties can reach up to 40%. This means a 2 lb lobster will likely provide 6 to 8 ounces of cooked, edible meat.

The Meat Breakdown of a 2 lb Lobster

To put this into perspective, a standard 2 lb lobster is a sizable crustacean. The majority of the meat comes from the tail and claws. While some people enjoy the smaller morsels in the knuckles and legs, the tail and claws are the main event. A 2 lb live lobster typically yields:

Tail Meat: Around 4-5 ounces
Claw and Knuckle Meat: Around 2-3 ounces

This breakdown is crucial for planning your meal. If you are serving the lobster whole, one person may enjoy cracking and eating the entire thing, while for a recipe like lobster rolls, you can stretch the meat further.

How to Determine Your Serving Strategy

Deciding how many people a 2 lb lobster feeds depends on your dining plans. Are you hosting a lavish lobster boil or incorporating the meat into a pasta dish? Here are some common serving scenarios.

Whole Lobster as a Main Course

For a classic, celebratory lobster dinner where the lobster is the star of the show, a 2 lb lobster is an ideal serving size for one person. It offers a generous portion of tail and claw meat, making it a satisfying and impressive individual entrée. In this scenario, the other side dishes, such as corn on the cob and melted butter, are complements rather than main meal components.

Lobster as a Shared Main Course

If you're serving the lobster alongside other robust entrées, a 2 lb lobster can comfortably be shared between two people. For example, in a "surf and turf" meal, 3-4 ounces of lobster meat per person is a standard and satisfying portion. This allows each person to get a good taste of the decadent seafood without it being overwhelming.

Incorporated into a Recipe

Using a 2 lb lobster for a recipe is one of the most efficient ways to stretch the meat and serve more people. For dishes like lobster rolls, bisque, or pasta, the lobster meat is one component among many.

Lobster Rolls: A 2 lb lobster can yield enough meat for about two hearty lobster rolls (using about 4 ounces of meat per roll) or up to four smaller ones, serving 2-4 people.
Lobster Pasta: A 2 lb lobster can provide enough meat for a pasta dish serving 2-4 people, especially when paired with a rich sauce.
Appetizer: When making small appetizers like fritters or canapés, a 2 lb lobster can be used for 6-8 servings, as each serving would only contain a small amount of meat.

The Role of Appetites and Side Dishes

Consider your guests and the overall meal. If you have big eaters and are serving few sides, err on the side of more lobster. For lighter eaters or a meal with many side dishes, you can serve more people with the same amount of lobster. The presence of filling sides like potatoes, rice, and bread will naturally reduce the amount of lobster each person needs to feel full.

Portion Sizing Comparison: Live Lobster vs. Lobster Meat

This table illustrates how the number of servings changes depending on whether you purchase a whole 2 lb lobster or the equivalent in pre-cooked meat.


Serving Style	Live 2 lb Lobster	Pre-Cooked 8 oz Lobster Meat
Generous Entrée	1 person	1 person
Shared Entrée (Surf & Turf)	2 people	2 people
Lobster Rolls	2-4 people	2 people
Lobster Bisque	2-4 people	2-4 people
Small Appetizers	4-8 people	2-4 people

How to Maximize Your Lobster's Potential

To get the most out of your 2 lb lobster, don't throw away the shells. The discarded shells can be used to make a flavorful lobster stock, which is the foundation for delicious bisques and sauces. You can also save the tomalley (the greenish liver) and roe for added flavor in your dishes. Finally, remember to cook the lobster properly to ensure all the meat is tender and sweet, avoiding the rubbery texture that comes from overcooking.

Conclusion

Ultimately, how many people does a 2 lb lobster feed is a question with a flexible answer. For a truly indulgent individual meal, it's perfect for one person. For more economical or diverse meal planning, it can be stretched to serve two to four people when paired with complementary dishes or used in recipes. By considering the occasion, your guests' appetites, and your preparation method, you can make an informed decision to ensure your seafood feast is a success.

Plan your lobster dinner wisely by considering these factors:

Type of dish: Will the lobster be the main event, or an ingredient in a larger recipe?
Appetite of guests: Are you serving hearty eaters or lighter ones?
Other food items: How many side dishes and other proteins are on the menu?
Portion size per person: Aim for 6-8 ounces of meat for a full entrée, or 3-4 ounces for a starter.
Shell vs. meat: Remember that a whole lobster yields only a fraction of its weight in edible meat.

Your 2 lb lobster can be a solo indulgence or a shared treat. The key is in the planning and preparation, which allows you to serve the perfect amount for any occasion.

Resources

For more information on lobster preparation and cooking techniques, consult reliable culinary sources like Serious Eats.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 2 lb whole lobster yields approximately 6 to 8 ounces of edible meat, which is about 25% of its total weight. The edible portions are mainly from the tail and claws.

Yes, a 2 lb lobster is a very normal and generous portion for one person, especially when it is served whole as the main course of a celebratory meal.

You can make a 2 lb lobster serve more people by incorporating the meat into recipes like lobster rolls, bisque, or pasta. It can also be shared between two people as part of a "surf and turf" meal.

For an entrée, the standard portion size for lobster meat is 6 to 8 ounces per person. For a starter or appetizer, 3 to 4 ounces per person is a good benchmark.

A 2 lb whole lobster has significantly less edible meat than a single 2 lb lobster tail, as the whole lobster includes the inedible shell. A lobster tail offers a much higher edible meat yield relative to its weight.

Yes, a 2 lb lobster can be used for appetizers, yielding enough meat for approximately 6 to 8 servings depending on the recipe. Dishes like fritters, canapés, or small sliders are good options.

Serving a 2 lb lobster with a variety of filling side dishes like corn, potatoes, or pasta can allow it to serve more people, as guests will be satisfied with a smaller portion of the lobster meat.