Learn five different ways to cook lobster tail! I’ve gone over all the common ones, like boiling, broiling, steaming, and baking. I’m here to ensure you nail the perfect crustacean for your special occasion.
Lobster tails are considered a luxury ingredient, usually saved for special occasions at fancy restaurants. But with the right techniques, you can make restaurant-quality lobster tails at home. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make tender, juicy, flavorful lobster tails.
Ingredients Needed
- Lobster tails – Purchase fresh or thawed frozen tails. Look for cold water lobster like Maine lobster for better flavor and texture.
- Butter – For brushing and dipping the cooked lobster tails. Clarified butter is ideal.
- Seasonings – Kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, lemon juice.
- Equipment – Kitchen shears for butterflying, baking sheet, aluminum foil.
Prep the Lobster Tails
Thaw if Using Frozen
- Place frozen tails in the refrigerator overnight. For quicker thawing, submerge in a bowl of cool water for 30 minutes, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed.
Butterfly the Tails
This helps the tails cook more evenly.
- Using kitchen shears, cut lengthwise through the top of the shell from top to bottom.
- Flip over and crack the shell by pressing down on the ribs.
- Gently pull the meat out while still attached at the end.
- Spread the lobes of meat over the top of the split shell.
Devein the Tails
- Pull out and discard the dark digestive tract running down the center of the tail.
- Rinse the tail under cool water and pat dry.
How to Cook Lobster Tails – 5 Easy Methods
Broiling
This is my favorite method! Broiling cooks the lobster with intense dry heat, creating a browned crust.
- Place butterflied tails flesh-side up on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Brush with melted butter and season with salt, pepper and paprika.
- Broil 6 inches from heat for 8-10 minutes until opaque and firm.
Baking
Baking gently steams the lobster tails for a delicate, tender texture.
- Brush tails with butter and seasonings.
- Place in baking dish and add 1/2 cup water or wine.
- Bake at 425°F for 10-15 minutes until flesh is opaque.
Grilling
The smoky flavor from grilling enhances the sweet lobster flavor.
- Brush tails with butter and spices.
- Grill flesh side down over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Flip and grill 5 more minutes until cooked through.
Steaming
Steaming quickly cooks the lobster with moist heat The flavor is delicate
- Place tails in a steaming basket over boiling water.
- Steam for 4-5 minutes until opaque and firm.
Boiling
Boiling in seasoned water tenderizes the lobster tails.
- Add tails to boiling, salted water.
- Boil for 8-12 minutes until opaque.
- Cool slightly before removing meat from shells.
Determine Doneness
The lobster tails are fully cooked once the thickest part of the flesh reaches an internal temperature of 135-140°F. The flesh will become opaque and firm.
Visually, the shells will turn bright red and the meat will turn from translucent to solid white when properly cooked.
Use tongs and a meat thermometer to test doneness. Do not overcook.
Serving Suggestions
- Lemon wedges
- Clarified butter for dipping
- Fresh herbs like parsley, tarragon, chives
- drawn butter seasoned with lemon and garlic
- Mashed potatoes, rice, pasta
- Steamed vegetables like asparagus
With the proper techniques, you can impress your guests with succulent lobster tails made right in your own kitchen. Follow these helpful steps for tender, restaurant-worthy results.
How to Boil Lobster Tail
Step 1: Boil the Water
Boiling is ideal for whole lobster tails that are not butterflied. Add enough water to a large pot to cover the seafood. Boiling efficiently cooks and tenderizes the flesh but can dilute some of the briny flavors. That’s why I add salt to the water for seasoning. Bring the water to a boil.
Step 2: Boil
Carefully add the tails to the pot. Cook until the meat is translucent and pinkish-white and the shells are red, about 1 minute per ounce. Drain and allow to cool just enough to handle before opening the shell to remove the meat. Make sure to devein and rinse before seasoning.
Pro Tip: You can parboil large lobster tails before broiling or grilling them. This kick starts cooking for even heating and prevents overcooking later.
An instant-read thermometer reading 135 to 140oF (57 to 63oC) in the thickest part of the tail is the best way to tell when lobster is done cooking. Visually, the dark shell will turn bright red due to the coloring agent astaxanthin transforming when heated. The flesh will turn from translucent to opaque, pinkish-white, and firm to the touch.
How to Grill Lobster Tail
Step 1: Heat the Grill
Preheat the grill over medium heat for 15 minutes. Target 350 to 400ºF (177 to 204ºC). I like to clean the grill and grease the grates with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Season
Prepare the lobster tails by either butterflying or cutting them in half down the center into two pieces. For the seafood not to curl, a wooden skewer can be put through the middle of the tails that have been cut in half. Brush the lobster with melted butter and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Step 3: Grill
Cook the lobster tails over direct medium heat. If butterflied, leave the flesh side up the entire time. This method provides a nice, smoky, charred flavor. To make it taste even better, you can grill butterflied lobster tails on a plank like I did with my grilled cedar plank salmon. For 4 to 5 minutes, put the lobster cut side down if it has been cut in half. Then, flip it over and finish cooking.
Lobster Tails Recipe – How to Make the Best Lobster Tail
How do you cook frozen lobster tails?
Make sure frozen lobster tails are completely thawed before cooking. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Place tails in the boiling water and simmer, uncovered, until the shells turn red and the meat turns opaque and tender. The rule of thumb is to boil them for about 45 seconds per ounce.
How long do you boil lobster tails?
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Place tails in the boiling water and simmer, uncovered, until the shells turn red and the meat turns opaque and tender. The rule of thumb is to boil them for about 45 seconds per ounce. Small lobster tails could take as little as 2 to 4 minutes; large tails can take 6 minutes or more.
How to cook butterflied lobster tails?
Preheat oven to broil on high heat. 2. In a small bowl, add the marinade ingredients: 1 Tbsp parsley, 2 pressed garlic cloves, 1 tsp dijon, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil and 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice. Stir to combine. 3.Place butterflied Lobster Tails into a 9×13 or 8×12 roasting pan.
Do you add salt to lobster tails?
If you are boiling the lobster tails, you should season the water so that the meat gets salted as it cooks. If you are steaming or baking the lobster tails, you don’t need to add salt to the water, as the meat doesn’t actually come in contact with the water. How Do You Know When Lobster Is Done?