How to Cook a Frozen Cooked Lobster to Perfection

Lobster is a delicious and luxurious seafood that is loved by many. However, lobsters are perishable and cooking them fresh can be time-consuming. That’s why many people opt to buy cooked frozen lobsters instead. But how do you properly cook a frozen cooked lobster so that it tastes as good as fresh?

As a seafood lover and amateur chef I’ve cooked my fair share of lobsters over the years. Both live and previously frozen. Through trial and error I’ve learned the best techniques for cooking previously frozen lobster tails, claws, and whole lobsters so they come out tender and flavorful.

In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about cooking frozen pre-cooked lobster From thawing and prep to steaming, boiling, baking, broiling, grilling and more. Follow these tips and you’ll be enjoying restaurant-quality lobster in no time!

Step 1: Choose High-Quality Frozen Lobster

The first step is sourcing high-quality frozen lobster. Not all frozen lobsters are created equal. Here are a few things to look for:

Buy lobster that has never been thawed before. Thawing and re-freezing causes damage to the texture. Opt for lobster frozen immediately after cooking.
Choose cold-water lobster like Maine lobster. It has a sweeter, more tender meat compared to warm-water lobster.
Check the shell color. Avoid black spots or graying which indicates deceased lobster. Shells should be bright red.
Get the right size. Plan for 1-1.5 lbs per person. You can buy whole lobsters, lobster tails, or lobster claws.
Inspect the packaging. Make sure it’s undamaged. If vacuum sealed, it can last up to a year frozen.

Getting high-quality frozen lobster ensures you start off cooking with the best product possible. With quality lobster, half the work is already done.

Step 2: Safely Thaw the Lobster

Never cook frozen lobster straight from the freezer. It must be thawed first to ensure safe, even cooking.

Here are a few thawing methods I recommend:

Thaw in the fridge overnight: Place frozen lobster in a container to catch drips. Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours.
Cold water thaw: Seal lobster in a plastic bag then submerge in cold tap water, changing water every 30 mins.
Microwave defrost: Microwave lobster on defrost setting based on weight, stopping to check and flip.

It’s best to give frozen lobster at least 12-24 hours to thaw in the fridge. But if you’re in a pinch, cold water and microwave thawing work too. Just don’t let it sit at room temp.

The key is thawing slowly and gently to protect texture. Pat lobster dry before cooking.

Step 3: Prep the Lobster for Cooking

Some prep work is required before cooking thawed, frozen lobster. Here are a few tips:

For lobster tails: Use kitchen shears to cut through the top side of the shell. Cut along the length of the tail. Gently lift the meat up and out a bit to expose it. This prevents the tail from curling during cooking.

For whole lobsters: Twist and pull the claws and tail away from the body. Rinse out guts, then reattach claws and tail for cooking.

For lobster claws: No special prep needed.

Prepping the lobster shells allows heat to better penetrate and cook the meat evenly. Now it’s ready for your cooking method of choice.

Step 4: Cook with Your Preferred Method

One of the best things about lobster is how versatile it is to cook. Once thawed and prepped, you can cook frozen lobster in various ways:

Boiling

Boiling is a simple and traditional cooking method that infuses plenty of flavor.

Fill a large pot 3⁄4 with water and add 1 tbsp salt per quart of water. Bring to a rolling boil.
Add lobster and cover pot. Cook for 5 minutes per 1⁄4 lb.
Lobster is done when shells are bright red and meat is opaque.

Steaming

Steaming cooks lobster gently while keeping it extra moist and tender.

Add 1-2 inches of water to a pot fitted with a steaming basket. Season water with salt.
Bring water to a boil then add lobster to basket, cover, and steam for 7-8 minutes per 1 lb.

Broiling

Broiling gives lobster a quick char while locking in juices.

Place lobster on a baking sheet and broil 4-5 inches from heat for 4 minutes.
Brush with melted butter, flip and broil 3-4 minutes more.

Grilling

Grilling imparts a delicious smoky flavor from the licked flames.

Split lobster tails and brush with oil. Grill flesh-side down for 8-10 minutes.
For whole lobsters, split and grill on hot grill for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway.

Baking

Baking allows lobster to gently roast in the dry ambient heat of the oven.

Place lobster in a baking dish and brush with melted butter.
Bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until opaque.

Experiment with different cooking methods to find your favorite! The key is not to overcook the delicate lobster meat.

Step 5: Check Doneness and Remove Meat

With previously frozen lobster, it’s extra important to monitor cooking time and internal temperature. Here’s how to check doneness:

For whole lobsters or tails, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. It should read 140-145°F when done.
The lobster meat should be opaque and firm, not translucent.
Give the legs and antennas a tug. They should pull off easily when cooked.

Once fully cooked, use tongs or a fork to remove the succulent lobster meat from the shell. Be careful as the shells will be extremely hot after cooking.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Lobster

That’s it! Now you can create a spectacular seafood feast with your cooked frozen lobster. A few ideas:

Serve lobster with clarified butter or lemon-garlic aioli for dipping.
Make lobster rolls on toasted brioche buns with lettuce and mayo.
Toss chunks of lobster meat with pasta and a creamy sauce.
Fill endive spears with lobster salad made with celery and chives.

how do you cook a frozen cooked lobster 2

Serving and Enjoying the Lobster

Now that your frozen cooked lobster is perfectly steamed, it’s time to savor every bite. Here are a few serving suggestions:

Place the steamed lobster on a serving platter and top it with lemon wedges for a citrusy twist.
For a classic treat, melt some butter and put it next to the lobster so that you can dip it in it.
To finish off your meal, serve your lobster with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad.

You can turn a frozen cooked lobster into a delicious dish that will impress even the pickiest food critics with these easy steps. So don your chef’s hat, roll up your sleeves, and prepare yourself for a lobster feast worth savoring!.

Gather Your Ingredients and Tools

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

One frozen cooked lobster
Large pot or saucepan
Water
Sea salt
Lemon wedges (optional)
Melted butter (optional)

Thawing the frozen cooked lobster is the first step in the cooking process. Here’s how:

Take the lobster out of its box and put it in a bowl.
Allow the lobster to thaw gradually in the refrigerator overnight. This method of slow thawing helps the meat keep its quality and texture.
If you don’t have much time, you can thaw the lobster in the microwave using the defrost setting. To keep the lobster from getting too cooked, make sure to follow the directions on the package and let it thaw in short bursts.

A common way to cook lobster that helps keep the meat moist and brings out the natural flavors is to steam it. Follow these steps to steam your lobster to perfection:

Put about an inch of water in the bottom of a large pot or saucepan.
A lot of sea salt should be added to the water to make it taste better.
Make sure the steamer basket or rack is raised above the water level and put it inside the pot.
As soon as the water starts to boil quickly, put the lobster on the steamer rack or basket, shell-side down.
Put the lid on top of the pot and steam the lobster for 8 to 10 minutes per pound.
Gently pull on one of the lobster’s legs to see if it’s done. If it comes off easily, it’s ready to eat.

Easy Steps to Cook a Frozen Lobster Perfectly Every Time!

How do you cook frozen lobster?

Use tongs to remove the lobsters and place them in a colander so they can drain any excess water. If everyone is cracking open their own lobsters, you can just plate them and serve with melted butter and lemon wedges. Boiling isn’t the only way to prepare lobster that’s been pre-cooked and frozen.

How do you steam a thawed lobster?

Place a steamer basket or rack inside the pot, ensuring it is elevated above the water level. Once the water comes to a rapid boil, carefully place the thawed lobster on the steamer basket or rack, shell-side down. Cover the pot with a lid and steam the lobster for about 8-10 minutes per pound.

How long do you cook thawed lobster?

Place the thawed lobster into the water, cover and let the water simmer for 5 minutes for each 4-ounce tail (and one extra minute for each additional ounce of lobster that you are cooking). You can tell the lobster is done when the shells are bright red and the meat tender if you poke at it with a fork.

How do you cook lobster in a crock pot?

Place it in a plastic bag and set it in a bowl of water in the fridge. Boil enough water to cover the lobster, then add 1 tbsp (17 g) of salt per 1 quart (1 l) of water to the pot. Place the lobster inside and simmer for 5 minutes. Or, broil the lobsters on a broiling pan with their shells face up for 4 minutes.