Got some frozen lobster tails for a good price but don’t know what to do with them? I can help you cook them.
Cooking frozen lobster tails is easier than you think after being thawed. Yes, thawed. Unfortunately, there’s no way around the thawing part if you’re after succulent, tender, sweet lobster meat. Cooking straight from frozen produces a tough lobster. Thawing is easy though and doesn’t take too long.
Frozen lobster tails are great for many recipes when fresh lobster isn’t available or when you want to find lobster that stays around the same price. They can be found just about anywhere if you know where to look. My favorite way to cook the lobster tails is by poaching in a flavorful butter mixture.
To find out more about how it all works, scroll down or click here. Now you can go straight to the recipe.
Lobster is a delicacy enjoyed around the world. The sweet, succulent meat inside the shell is unlike any other seafood While fresh live lobster is ideal, high-quality frozen lobster tails can provide a tasty alternative when fresh lobster is not available or is too expensive. But how do frozen lobster tails stack up? Are they as good as fresh lobster?
In this article we’ll examine if frozen lobster tails can match fresh lobster for taste and quality. We’ll look at factors like
- Differences between fresh live lobster and frozen tails
- Pros and cons of frozen lobster tails
- How freezing affects lobster meat
- Tips for choosing high-quality frozen tails
- Proper thawing and cooking methods
After reading, you’ll know if frozen lobster tails are a smart buy and how to pick and prepare tails that are delicious. Let’s dive in!
Fresh Live Lobster vs. Frozen Lobster Tails
Fresh live lobster and frozen lobster tails offer slightly different experiences. Here’s a quick rundown of their differences:
Fresh Live Lobster
- Sold whole and alive
- Must be cooked soon after purchasing
- More versatile – can boil, steam, grill, etc.
- Freshest taste and texture
- Can be expensive
Frozen Lobster Tails
- Just the tail meat, no claws or body
- Convenient to buy and store longer term
- Limited cooking methods – mainly boiling/steaming
- Not as fresh but still tasty if properly frozen
- More budget-friendly
The live lobster clearly provides the freshest, sweetest meat. But good frozen tails can still deliver plenty of flavor and enjoyment. Let’s look closer at pros and cons.
The Pros of Frozen Lobster Tails
Frozen lobster tails offer some nice perks over fresh live lobster:
Convenience – Frozen tails are ready when you are. Thaw them in the fridge overnight and they’re good to go. No need to source live lobsters on short notice.
Longer shelf life – Properly frozen, lobster tails can last 9-12 months in the freezer. Live lobsters must be cooked within 24 hours.
Just the tails – The tail meat is the prized part of lobster for many. With frozen tails, you get just the tail without dealing with the claws, legs, etc.
More budget-friendly – Due to easier processing/storage, frozen tails are typically cheaper per pound than live lobster. A great option if on a budget.
Pre-portioned – Tails come in set sizes like 6-8 oz. Handy for planning meals versus whole live lobsters of varying sizes.
Always available – Frozen tails provide a consistent source of lobster even when fresh lobster is out of season.
For convenience, cost savings, and year-round availability, quality frozen tails present a compelling choice over live.
Potential Downsides of Frozen Lobster Tails
However, frozen lobster tails have some disadvantages to consider:
Not as fresh – Even quick-frozen, the texture and flavor is slightly inferior to a live lobster cooked straight from the tank.
Limited cooking methods – Really only boiling or steaming. You can’t grill, broil, etc. a frozen tail still in the shell like a whole live lobster.
Not as impressive presentation – Some of the visual wow-factor and anticipation of a full live lobster on the plate is lost with just a tail.
Varying quality – There is a wider range in quality of frozen tails versus live lobsters from a reputable fish market.
Freezer burn risk – Improper freezing or storage can lead to freezer burn and dry, lesser quality meat.
While not equivalent to the finest fresh live lobsters, with care in choosing tails and cooking, frozen can come remarkably close.
How Does Freezing Affect Lobster Meat?
Freezing lobster tails impacts their taste, texture, and shelf life. Here is how proper freezing preserves lobster tails:
- Slows bacteria growth and enzymatic breakdown of meat
- Firmness and moisture content maintained if flash frozen fast enough
- Minimal loss of flavor if frozen quickly at peak freshness
Key factors in freezing high-quality tails include:
- Fast freezing – Flash freezing preserves texture and taste best. Slow freezing causes damage.
- Temperature – Colder is better. -30°F optimal, definitely below 0°F.
- Freshness when frozen – Freezing live lobsters right after catching ensures best results.
- Time in freezer – Flavor and moisture decrease slowly over months of freezing.
- Thawing – Slow thawing in fridge preserves quality best.
When done right, freezing can lock in much of the fresh lobster essence.
Tips for Picking Top Quality Frozen Lobster Tails
Not all frozen lobster tails are equal. Here are tips for choosing the best:
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Look for tails from cold water – Northern Atlantic Canada and New England provide the tastiest, sweetest lobsters. Avoid warm water spiny lobster tails.
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Check for natural coloration – Good tails should be translucent white to faint pink when raw. Avoid any with dark, yellowish hues.
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Inspect texture and smell – Quality raw frozen tails have a firm, resilient texture. Pass on any with dry or mushy meat. Should have minimal seafood odor when thawed.
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Aim for harder shells – Softer shells indicate older lobsters with less meat. Pick firm, rigid shells.
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Read the package info – Reputable brands will state where it is from, processing details, net weight, etc.
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Shop from a trusted source – The best quality tails come from dedicated seafood suppliers, not generic grocery freezer cases.
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Consider sustainability – Choosing tails harvested in ways not damaging lobster populations is ideal.
With discerning selection, you can source excellent frozen lobster tails to rival all but the absolute freshest live lobsters.
Proper Thawing and Cooking of Frozen Lobster Tails
Thawing and cooking have a big impact on the final enjoyment of frozen lobster tails. Follow these tips:
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Thaw slowly in the fridge – 12-24 hours in the refrigerator allows tails to thaw gradually for best texture.
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Keep shell on – Leaving the shell on while thawing and cooking preserves moisture in the meat.
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Cook gently – Boiling, steaming, or poaching at low temps keeps the meat tender. High heat makes it rubbery.
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Don’t overcook – Check doneness early and remove from heat at first signs of opacity. Carryover cooking will finish it off the heat.
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Use a thermometer – Pull tails from heat when internal temp reaches 135°F for medium doneness.
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Keep time in mind – Flavor fades the longer a thawed tail sits. Cook within a day or two.
With proper gentle thawing and cooking, frozen tails can achieve a remarkably sweet, tender, and juicy outcome rivaling all but the freshest live lobster.
Are Frozen Lobster Tails as Good as Fresh?
While live lobster cooked and consumed straight from the traps offers an unbeatable sweet flavor and tender bite, expertly frozen lobster tails come remarkably close.
Choosing reputable quick frozen raw tails from premium cold water regions minimizes quality loss from freezing. Care in thawing and gentle cooking locks in the delicate seafood flavors and texture. The convenience, affordability and consistency of high-grade frozen tails make them a smart choice for lobster fans.
So while the absolute peak lobster dining experience demands ultra-fresh live lobster, top quality frozen lobster tails can satisfy any craving for this decadent shellfish. With a bit of care in selecting and preparing frozen tails, they can provide incredible eating that comes close to the fresh article. For lobster lovers on a budget or when live lobster is limited, premium frozen tails are a fabulous option.
Flavoring Your Poaching Liquid
Once the tails have been skewered, set those aside and prepare the poaching liquid. In this case, it’s butter, and lots of it, with garlic and herbs. The lobster will add its own flavor to the butter, and the butter will also add its own flavor to the lobster. The lobster butter can be used for dipping after it has been poached, or it can be kept in the fridge for up to five days and used in other recipes. The butter can also be frozen up to two months.
You can add other aromatics to the pan as well. Sliced fennel bulb and a splash of vanilla extract, chipotle in adobo and lime zest, and onion, bay leaf, green bell pepper, and coconut milk are some of my favorite combinations.
Video: How To Trim Away Lobster Undershell Before Cooking
Before cooking begins though, you’ll want to insert a wooden skewer into the tail to keep it from curling up into a ball while cooking. Because the under-shell has been removed, it’s a lot easier to see where the skewer is going. Insert the skewer into the “top” of the lobster tail where it was cut before it was packaged, and push the skewer all the way to the tip of the tail. Cut off any excess skewer so the lobster can still fit into the pan. The skewer also helps the lobster tails to cook evenly by keeping them straight.
How to Cook Frozen Lobster Tails
Is it necessary to cook a live lobster tail?
There’s no need to cook a live lobster tail if that makes you nervous. Lobster tails are readily available frozen or fresh, and the prep and cook time is minimal. We searched the internet for the most popular ways to cook lobster tails and compiled seven methods to try.
Can you cook frozen lobster tails without thawing?
Can you cook frozen lobster tails without thawing them? The labels on many frozen lobster tails won’t call out which variety they are. But if you do have an option to choose between warm water and cold water lobsters, opt for cold water lobsters. Their meat tends to be sweeter, more tender and less mushy.
Can you eat frozen lobster tails?
Lobster tails make a decadent appetizer or entrée, and using frozen tails means you can prepare and enjoy them any time of year. They’re also endlessly versatile! Cook them any number of ways, and season them however you like—browned butter is a lobster staple, while smoked paprika can add a tantalizing Cajun flavor.
Are Costco lobster tails good?
The lobster tails have one ingredient, frozen lobster tail. Lobster is high in protein and low in fat and carbohydrates so it’s great for individuals watching their carb and fat intake. Cost: 3/10 (lobster tails are really expensive, but Costco’s price is fair) Convenience: 3/10 (the shipping was extremely easy, but cooking lobster tails is not)