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 tail is considered one of the most elegant and delicious seafood dishes. The sweet, tender meat is often reserved for special occasions at upscale restaurants. But with the right techniques, you can learn how to cook lobster tail at home to restaurant quality perfection
I’ll explain easy methods for preparing cooking and serving lobster tail five popular ways – steaming, baking, broiling, grilling, and boiling. Follow these simple steps and tips to nail perfectly cooked lobster tail every time!
Tips for Buying Lobster Tails
When purchasing lobster tails here are some things to look for
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Type of Lobster – There are two main types: cold-water (Northern Atlantic) and warm-water (Southern Atlantic). Cold-water lobster has a sweeter, more tender texture. I prefer this variety. Warm-water can be mushier. Ask the seafood counter which type they carry if it’s not indicated.
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Size – Lobster tails are sold by weight, usually between 3 oz to 1 lb. The bigger the tail, the higher the meat yield after cooking. For individual servings, a 3-10 oz tail is a good size.
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Frozen vs Fresh – You can find lobster tails fresh or frozen. I recommend thawed frozen as a more affordable option over fresh. Make sure thawed lobster smells sweet, not fishy.
How to Thaw Frozen Lobster Tails
To safely thaw frozen lobster tails:
- Place in the refrigerator overnight.
- Submerge in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes, draining and replacing the water every 30 minutes until the meat is flexible and no longer icy.
Once thawed, follow the steps below to prep and cook the lobster tails using your preferred method.
How to Prep Lobster Tails
For the most elegant presentation, I highly recommend butterflying the lobster tails. Here’s how:
Step 1: Cut the Shell
- Using sharp kitchen shears, cut down the center of the shell lengthwise. Avoid cutting all the way through.
Step 2: Devein (Optional)
- Check for a dark vein running down the center of the meat. Remove by making a shallow cut to pull out the tract. Rinse.
Step 3: Crack the Shell
- Flip the lobster over and crack the shell by pressing down on the ribs.
Step 4: Remove the Meat
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Run fingers between the shell and meat to detach, keeping some connected at the fin.
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Lay the meat over the top of shell. This looks beautiful when cooked!
How to Cook Lobster Tail – 5 Easy Ways
Follow my simple steps for cooking lobster tail using common home cooking methods:
Steaming
- Add 2 inches water to a pot with a steamer basket. Bring to a boil.
- Steam the lobster tails for 45-60 seconds per ounce. Don’t overcrowd.
- Season with lemon, butter, and herbs after cooking.
Benefits: Quickly cooks, preserves delicate flavor.
Baking
- Heat oven to 425°F. Butterfly tails, brush with melted butter and season.
- Bake 8-10 minutes per 4 oz tail with water in the pan.
Benefits: Gently cooks tail, keeps it tender.
Broiling
- Place lobster tails shell-side down on a foil-lined pan. Brush with melted butter and season.
- Broil 5-8 minutes, checking often to prevent overcooking.
Benefits: Adds nice char flavor, quick cooking. My personal favorite method.
Grilling
- Heat grill to medium heat, 350-400°F. Butterfly the tails and brush with melted butter and seasoning.
- Grill flesh side down for 8-12 minutes until opaque.
Benefits: Infuses a smoky flavor.
Boiling
- Add enough salted water to a pot to submerge the tails. Bring to a boil.
- Boil 1 minute per ounce until shells turn red and meat is opaque.
Benefits: Quickly and evenly cooks the lobster.
How to Tell When Lobster Tail is Cooked
Check for doneness by:
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Using an instant read thermometer. The thickest part of the meat should reach 135-140°F.
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Looking for the opaque, pearly white flesh to turn firm.
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The red shell will become brighter red when fully cooked.
Serving Suggestions
Lobster tail is delicious dipped in melted, herbed butter. I also like to serve it with:
- Lemon wedges
- Vegetables like asparagus or roasted potatoes
- Fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill
For a surf and turf meal, pair it with a nice steak!
How to Bake Lobster Tail
Step 1: Heat the Oven
Set the oven rack to the middle position and the temperature to 425ºF (218ºC).
Step 2: Season
I recommend butterflying the lobster tails for a more attractive presentation and efficient cooking. Brush with melted butter or olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Step 3: Bake
When you bake lobster, putting water or wine in the bottom of the baking dish slowly steams it, making it soft and almost poached. This method works great for larger lobster tails that need more cooking time. It takes about 1 to 2 minutes per ounce to thoroughly cook.
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Lobster is regarded as the most elegant, high-end type of seafood. It’s often reserved for special occasions at pricey restaurants. The tail, or abdomen, is the most desirable part because it has the most meat. It tastes even better when dipped in rich, melted butter.
It might seem hard to cook lobster tails at home, but I will show you easy ways to prepare and cook them using the method you prefer. I’ll go over each method step-by-step to ensure delicious results every time!.
How to Cook Lobster Tails
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 do you steam lobster tails?
About this method: To steam the tails, you bring a small amount of water to a boil and then add butterflied tails (prepared the same as the baking method above), in a steamer insert, to the pot so the lobster is above the water line. You want the steam and heat in the pot to cook the meat, but not the water directly.
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 do you cook lobster tails in a crock pot?
Before you get started, you’ll need: Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a boil. Reduce heat slightly and keep water at a gentle boil — stronger than a simmer, but weaker than a rolling boil. Add lobster tails, and boil until they are bright red and their meat turns white and tender. Each tail should take about 1 minute per ounce to cook.