A pre-cooked frozen lobster takes minutes to prepare if you remember to thaw it first. I think boiling frozen lobster is the easiest way to cook it, but you can also steam or grill it.
Any pre-cooked lobster recipe served with butter and lemon juice will be enough to please the seafood lovers in your life.
When youre ready to prepare the frozen pre-cooked lobster, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight beforehand.
As a lover of lobster, I often find myself with leftovers after indulging in a lobster dinner. While fresh, hot lobster is sublime, pre-cooked lobster can also be delicious if handled properly. Through my experiments reheating lobster in the oven, on the stovetop, and on the grill, I’ve learned the best techniques for cooking pre-cooked lobster tails, claws, and whole lobsters.
In this article, I’ll share my tips for making the most of your previously cooked lobster You’ll learn
- The best reheating methods for lobster parts vs. whole lobster
- How to restore moisture and flavor
- Quick and easy serving ideas
With these simple steps, you can enjoy leftover lobster that tastes just-cooked No more dried out, rubbery lobster! Let’s dive in.
Why Reheating Lobster Needs Special Care
Pre-cooked lobster requires gentle reheating. The meat dries out easily and can become chewy Intense direct heat makes the problem worse
You want the leftover lobster to be hot while keeping it tender and moist. The reheating method depends on whether you have tails, claws, or a whole lobster to work with.
Reheating Lobster Tails and Claws
For cooked lobster pieces like tails and claws, the oven is your best bet. Baking allows thorough, even reheating without intense direct heat.
Here’s a simple oven reheating method:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F.
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Place lobster pieces in an oven-safe dish.
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Dot liberally with butter – this keeps the meat juicy and adds flavor.
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You can also add a splash of white wine or seafood stock for extra moisture.
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Cover tightly with foil.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes, until heated through.
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Check for doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part. It should reach 140°F.
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Serve immediately and enjoy!
The key is covering the lobster to allow steam to reheate it gently. Cook just until hot to prevent overdrying.
If you want to impart more flavor, throw in garlic, fresh herbs, citrus zest, or spices before baking.
Reheating a Whole Cooked Lobster
For reheating an entire cooked lobster, you can use either the oven or stovetop:
Oven Method
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Place the lobster on a sheet pan or oven-safe dish.
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Stuff the cavity with butter, fresh herbs, and citrus to add moisture and flavor.
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Tent loosely with foil and bake 15-20 minutes until hot throughout.
Stovetop Method
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Fill a large pot with an inch of water and bring to a gentle simmer.
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Place a steamer basket in the pot.
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Put the lobster in the basket, cover, and steam for 10-15 minutes.
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Take care not to oversteam, which causes the meat to dry out.
I prefer the oven method because the steam created under the foil replicates the moist heat of the original cooking method. But properly steamed on the stovetop also works well.
Adding Flavor Back to Leftover Lobster
Reheating cooked lobster can rob it of its signature sweet, briny flavor. Try these easy ways to make leftover lobster taste freshly cooked:
- Coat with melted butter before and after reheating
- Season with Old Bay, lemon pepper, or other spices
- Stuff the cavity with lemon, garlic, and/or fresh herbs
- Splash some white wine or seafood stock into the dish while reheating
- Serve with lemon wedges and clarified butter for dipping
A little extra flavor and moisture goes a long way in restoring leftover lobster to its original glory.
Quick Serving Ideas for Pre-Cooked Lobster
Beyond dunking in butter, here are some quick and easy ways to serve reheated lobster:
- Chop lobster meat and toss with pasta in a creamy alfredo sauce
- Serve on a bed of greens for a simple lobster salad
- Fold pieces into homemade macaroni and cheese
- Fill split rolls with lobster meat for easy lobster rolls
- Top individual baked potatoes with lobster for loaded stuffed spuds
- Fill large mushroom caps with a mix of lobster and breadcrumbs
- Make lobster tacos with warmed corn tortillas and fresh guacamole
With pre-cooked lobster on hand, you’re never far from an impressive meal. Get creative with how you serve reheated lobster for delicious results.
Storing Leftover Cooked Lobster
To maximize leftover lobster’s shelf life:
- Allow lobster to cool completely before refrigerating.
- Store lobster pieces or whole lobster for 3-4 days in the coldest part of the fridge.
- Place lobster in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
- For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
With proper storage and reheating, you can enjoy pre-cooked lobster without waste. Just follow these tips for lobster that seems freshly prepared.
How to Pre-Cook Lobster and Freeze It
Youll want to pre-cook lobster before freezing it because doing so preserves the freshness and flavor. The best way to prepare lobster ahead of time is to blanch it, which means putting it in boiling water for two minutes and then cold water.
You can enjoy lobster all year round by freezing it — just pre-cook lobster before popping it into your freezer. Heres how to do it, according to the Northeast Fisheries Science Center.
- You can buy a live lobster at a seafood market or grocery store.
- Blanch the lobster in salted, boiling water for 2 minutes.
- Place the lobster in an ice bath for 20 minutes.
- Use a towel to dry off the lobster.
- Put the lobster in a zip-top freezer bag and press out as much air as you can.
- Fridge wrap or double-bag the lobster that has been put in bags.
- Put the lobster in the freezer. It should keep for up to 12 months.
When youre ready to prepare frozen pre-cooked lobster, make sure to thaw it first. The easiest way to thaw lobster is to put the lobster in the refrigerator overnight.
You can also use a microwave on low power if you’re in a hurry, but this is not the best way to do it. Thawing lobster under running water is a preferred alternative method when in a time crunch.
The meat will stick to the shell if you don’t thaw the lobster before cooking it. The meat will also be tough instead of tender.
Other Methods for Preparing Frozen Cooked Lobster
Boiling isnt the only way to prepare lobster thats been pre-cooked and frozen. Just as with fresh lobster, you can steam, grill and even bake pre-cooked lobster in the oven. The difference is that the cooking times will be shorter.
Thaw frozen lobster in a large pot of boiling water for 10 to 20 minutes. Then, steam it. Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and butter each lobster before putting it in foil to bake. This will take about 10 minutes.
And while its most common to grill lobster tails, you can grill whole lobster, too. All you have to do is cut the lobster in half lengthwise and make small cuts in the claws. Use melted butter and lemon juice to brush the meat on the grill. Grill over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, or until the lobsters are done (here’s how to tell). ).
No matter which way you prepare frozen lobster, make sure you thaw it first.