Poor Man’s Lobster is the perfect dish for those of us that love a good seafood dinner, but also want to stick to their budget. White fish like cod loins have a nice firm texture. When they are gently sweetened and broiled in butter, they have a sweet rich flavor that tastes like the real thing. You will feel like you are dining in luxury when you make this easy recipe in just 15-20 minutes.
Lobster is such a special dish and great for a special occasion, but the price tag makes it a rare treat for most of us. Luckily, I was introduced to the Midwest Classic called Poor Man’s Lobster.
By sweetening up a firm piece of white fish and broiling it with some melted butter, you can create a lovely fish dinner with a taste very close to lobster tails.
This is a great meal for Friday evenings if you happen to fast from meat. It is also an easy meal to put together any weeknight if you want to get excited about having fish for dinner.
Make this Dish, Because…
This is an easy and inexpensive dish that has a high dollar, restaurant feel.
Poaching mild white fish in sugar water takes away any fishy flavor and slightly sweetens the meat. This creates a nice lobster like flavor from very inexpensive types of fish.
Broiling the cod loins in melted butter with mild seasoning firms up the flaky fish and gives it the rich flavor you expect from a lobster tail. Ideally, you will get firm fish that flakes in large tender chunks similar to the consistency of lobster.
Ingredients
I use cod loins to make my poor man’s lobster recipe, because it is easy to find locally and fairly affordable. You can use other firm white fish like haddock, monkfish, halibut, or even burbot.
How to Make It
Step 1
- Preheat your oven to a low broil and set a rack 6-8 inches from the broiler coils.
- Bring 8-10 Cups of water to a rolling boil in a wide, deep pan.
- Then, dissolve sugar in boiling water and turn down to medium heat.
- Next, add the fresh pieces of cod loin or your favorite white fish to the water. The cold fish will bring down the temperature of water and may stop it from boiling. Bring the water back to a low simmer, and cook the fish for 3-4 minutes. It will start to look more opaque or solidly white.
Step 2
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the fish from the sugar water.
- Then, place the fish on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the extra water.
Step 3
- Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl.
- Line a sheet pan with foil, and drizzle one tablespoon of melted butter and sprinkle half of your paprika and pepper on the butter.
- Place the cod on top of the butter and season with the remaining paprika and pepper.
- Spoon another 1-2 tablespoon of butter over the top of the fish.
- Place the buttered cod under the broiler for 8-10 minutes or until they are cooked through to the center and the fish flakes with a fork.
- Serve with the remaining melted butter and lemon wedges.
FAQs
You can use fish like cod, haddock, monkfish, and burbot. These fish all have firm flesh and very mild fish flavor. Ideally, you need pieces that are over an inch to two inches thick so they hold up to the cooking process.
Cod loin is the thick, firm upper part of cod filet. This is considered the prime part of the filet, mild, and perfect for broiling.
Diana's Tips for Success
When boiling your fish don’t let the water come back to a strong boil. You are just cooking it gently and imparting some sweetness from the sugar. If it boils very hard it will cook too quickly and get tough and dry.
Hold off on seasoning with salt until you taste the cooked fish. It is really easy to over salt this dish as the fish has a natural saltiness.
To make your poaching liquid you may need more or less water. You need ¾ of a cup of sugar for every 4-5 Cups of water.
You need enough water to cover your fish pieces no matter what size pot you use.
Safety Tip
It is important to use foil to line your sheet pan instead of parchment paper. Remember that parchment paper can catch fire under the broiler.
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📖 Recipe
Poor Man's Lobster with Cod Loins
Equipment
- 1 Deep, Wide Pan for boiling fish
- 1 Sheet Pan for broiling
- 1 Slotted Spoon
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Cod Loins or other firm mild white fish
- 8 Cups Water
- 1 ⅓ Cups Sugar
- 6 Tablespoons Butter melted
- 1 Teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- Salt to taste
- Lemon Slices for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to a low broil and set a rack 6-8 inches from the broiler coils.
- Bring 8-10 Cups of water to a rolling boil in a wide, deep pan.
- Then, dissolve sugar in boiling water and turn down to medium heat.
- Next, add the fresh pieces of cod loin or your favorite white fish to the water. The cold fish will bring down the temperature of water and may stop it from boiling. Bring the water back to a low simmer, and cook the fish for 3-4 minutes. It will start to look more opaque or solidly white.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the fish from the sugar water.
- Then, place the fish on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the extra water.
- Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl.
- Line a sheet pan with foil, and drizzle one tablespoon of melted butter and sprinkle half of your paprika and pepper on the butter.
- Place the cod on top of the butter and season with the remaining paprika and pepper.
- Spoon another 1-2 tablespoon of butter over the top of the fish.
- Place the buttered cod under the broiler for 8-10 minutes or until they are cooked through to the center and the fish flakes with a fork.
- Serve with the remaining melted butter and lemon wedges.
Notes
- When boiling your fish don’t let the water come back to a strong boil. You are just cooking it gently and imparting some sweetness from the sugar. If it boils very hard it will cook too quickly and get tough and dry.
- Hold off on seasoning with salt until you taste the cooked fish. It is really easy to over salt this dish as the fish has a natural saltiness.
- To make your poaching liquid you may need more or less water. You need ¾ of a cup of sugar for every 4-5 Cups of water.
- You need enough water to cover your fish pieces no matter what size pot you use.
- It is important to use foil to line your sheet pan instead of parchment paper. Remember that parchment paper can catch fire under the broiler.
Nutrition
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Michelle Cardella says
Had this lovely dish. I have to say it was delicious and actually tasted like lobster.
Sara Welch says
Enjoyed this for dinner tonight and it was a savory success! Light, tender and juicy; easily, a new favorite recipe!
nancy says
I love this cod dish . the fish has a nice bounce and the flavouring is delicious
Ieva says
We used thawed cod for this recipe last night and it was delicious! The fish was nice and flakey, thanks to your clear instructions!
Kushigalu says
WHat a simple and delicious recipe to try for dinner. Thanks for sharing.
Beth says
It looks so succulent and meaty! Perfect when you're cooking to a tight budget too!
Heather Miller says
I tried this for the first time tonight. I was skeptical about using so much sugar in a savoury dish, but I trusted the process. It was great. My daughter loved it, and I will definitely make it again.
Diana Reis says
I'm so glad you tried it and liked it. Extra big win for your daughter liking it. My girls like it too. It's a nice change of pace for dinner.