Cooking Fresh Caught Lobster Over an Open Flame (Baja Edition)

There’s fresh — and then there’s 4 hours from the nearest town, local fisherman pops out of nowhere, fresh-caught lobster.

When we were camping on a remote beach in Baja with friends, we had no idea we were about to have one of the most memorable meals of our lives.

🏖 How It Happened

It was just us, a few friends, the kids, the ocean, and miles of empty beach. We hadn’t seen another soul in days — until suddenly, out of nowhere, a man appeared, scaring the absolute crap out of us.

Meet Julian, the local fisherman.

Julian didn’t speak English, and our Spanish was… let’s just say, functional-but-not-fluent. On top of that, Julian spoke a regional Spanish slang that even Google Translate couldn’t handle. But after 30 minutes of makeshift sign language and a lot of laughing, we figured it out: he was selling lobster.

Not just any lobster — fresh, just-caught, straight-from-the-ocean lobster.

🔥 Cooking Lobster on the Otzi Ember

Luckily, a friend had sent us to Baja with an Otzi Ember flatpack grill — a small, compact grill that’s perfect for backcountry cooking.

We collected driftwood from the beach, got a fire going, and set up our little grill.

Here’s how we did it:

1. Boiled the lobster in saltwater (from the ocean!) to cook it through.

2. Transferred it to the hot grill, basting it with a quick garlic butter mix we threw together on the spot.

3. Grilled it over driftwood embers, getting that perfect smoky, charred finish.

Meanwhile, our friends whipped up instant mashed potatoes with veggies and bacon bits — simple, hearty, and the perfect side for our beach feast.

🌊 The Magic of the Moment

There’s something about sitting on a remote beach, kids playing by the water, friends gathered around, no cell service, no distractions — and then pulling a smoky, buttery lobster tail off the grill.

It wasn’t just dinner. It was an experience.

✨ Why You Should Try It

If you ever find yourself in a place where you can source fresh seafood, don’t overthink it.

• Keep it simple.

• Use what you have.

• Let the freshness shine.

And if you’re lucky enough to have a little grill like the Otzi Ember, you’re in for an unforgettable meal under the stars.

Some places and moments are too special to share — but we’re grateful this one lives on in our memories (and hopefully now, in yours too).