You might need to freeze one or two whole lobsters, like if you bought a lot of lobsters on sale and now have more than you need, or if some dinner guests had to cancel. There is a short window of time to cook live lobsters after you buy them, even though you’d rather keep them.
Knowing how to freeze lobster correctly can come in handy. Of course, you’ll also need to know how to thaw them safely to prevent contamination. Our guide will show you how to do both, so you’ll never have to worry about throwing away Maine lobster again.
The most common freezing method for lobster is freezing cooked meat. Probably the quickest, no-fuss way to cook lobster is to steam them.
Lobster is a true delicacy that many people savor for special occasions and romantic dinners out. With its sweet, succulent meat and rich, robust flavor, it’s easy to see why lobster is such a coveted crustacean. However, due to its perishability and high price point, indulging in fresh lobster isn’t always feasible.
Fortunately, freezing lobster meat allows you to enjoy this tasty treat any time By learning proper freezing techniques, you can capture the taste and texture of fresh lobster, even months after storing it in your freezer Once thawed, frozen lobster meat delivers the same mouthwatering experience as if you just plucked it from the ocean that day.
I’ll walk through everything you need to know about successfully freezing lobster meat at home. With these simple steps, you’ll be able to freeze lobster meat and have it ready to create spectacular seafood dishes whenever the urge strikes!
Why Freeze Lobster Meat?
Freezing lobster meat offers many benefits
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Preserves Freshness: Freezing halts bacterial growth and enzymatic breakdown processes that cause lobster meat to deteriorate. This retains its pristine texture, succulence, and flavor.
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Increases Shelf Life Properly frozen, lobster meat can last in the freezer for up to 4 months before quality loss occurs This gives you plenty of time to use it
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Saves Money: Buying lobster in bulk when prices are lower and freezing lets you access it later when live or fresh lobster costs more. This ultimately saves you money.
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Reduces Waste: Freezing only what you’ll use prevents having to discard lobster meat that goes bad before you can eat it.
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Enhances Convenience: Keeping frozen lobster on hand means you can enjoy lobster dishes and appetizers anytime without running to the store. It’s there when you’re ready for it.
How Long Does Lobster Meat Last When Frozen?
Frozen properly at 0°F or below, lobster meat will maintain optimal quality and freshness for 3 to 4 months in the freezer. After that point, the texture, taste, and aroma of the lobster meat will gradually decline.
Freezing inhibits microbes and enzymatic processes that cause food spoilage but does not completely halt them. So eventually, even frozen lobster meat will degrade. Adhering to the recommended 3-4 month timeline helps ensure you can fully enjoy lobster at its best.
What You’ll Need to Freeze Lobster Meat
Before you begin, make sure you have the following supplies on hand:
- Fresh, fully cooked lobster meat
- Freezer bags or airtight containers for freezing
- Permanent marker to label packages
- Sharp knife to cut lobster meat (if necessary)
- Cutting board
- Paper towels
- Plate or baking sheet
Step-By-Step Guide to Freezing Lobster Meat
Follow these simple steps for flawlessly frozen lobster meat:
1. Extract and Prepare the Lobster Meat
If you’re starting with a live lobster, cook it first by either steaming, boiling, or baking until the meat is opaque and cooked through. Allow it to cool completely so it’s easy and safe to handle.
Once cool, remove all the lobster meat from the shell. Try to keep it in large chunks when possible. Discard the shells, innards, and any green tomalley. Rinse the meat gently if needed to remove debris.
If you purchased fresh, cooked lobster meat, simply check it over and rinse if necessary. Pat away any excess moisture with paper towels.
2. Portion the Lobster Meat
For versatility in use, it’s best to divide the lobster meat into practical portions before freezing. Consider how you plan to utilize the lobster meat in future recipes and freeze it in appropriate sizes.
Some ideas are:
- Lobster tails whole or halved lengthwise
- Claws and knuckles whole
- Chunks of body meat and leg meat
- Shredded meat for sauces or salad
- Individual fillets or medallions
Cut pieces cleanly using a sharp knife and cutting board to retain the integrity of the meat.
3. Prepare for Freezing
To prevent freezer burn, it’s important to remove excess moisture from the surface of the lobster meat before freezing.
Simply arrange lobster pieces in a single layer on a plate, baking sheet, or other surface. Allow it to air dry for 10-15 minutes at room temperature. Dab gently with paper towels to absorb any lingering dampness.
4. Package the Lobster Meat
Place the lobster pieces in either freezer bags or airtight containers. Try to remove as much air as possible before sealing them tightly. This protects the meat from oxidation and freezer burn during storage.
If using bags, consider inserting a drinking straw to suck out excess air prior to sealing. For containers, leave 1⁄2 to 1-inch headspace at the top.
5. Label and Freeze
Clearly label each lobster package with the type of meat and date it was frozen. This lets you identify what’s inside and keeps track of how long it’s been frozen.
Place the packages flat in a single layer toward the back of the freezer, where temperature is most stable. Avoid stacking them until fully frozen.
Let the lobster meat freeze for at least 24 hours before stacking or moving the packages. This ensures it freezes evenly throughout.
Thawing Frozen Lobster Meat
When you’re craving luscious lobster, follow these guidelines to safely thaw frozen lobster meat:
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Refrigerator Thawing: Place frozen lobster in the fridge. Allow 12-24 hours for pieces to thaw completely.
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Cold Water Thawing: Seal the frozen lobster inside a plastic bag submerged in cold tap water, changing water every 30 minutes. Thawing time is about 1 hour.
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Microwave Thawing: Use the defrost setting in short bursts to gently thaw frozen lobster, then let it finish thawing in the fridge.
Once thawed, use lobster meat right away for maximum quality. Avoid refreezing any unused thawed lobster meat. Cooked further, if desired, just before serving.
Handy Tips for Freezing Lobster
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Chilling lobster meat before freezing helps retain moisture and texture. Refrigerate 30-60 minutes until internal temperature reaches 40°F.
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For best texture, slightly undercook lobster intended for freezing since it will cook more during reheating.
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Consider freezing lobster meat submerged in broth, stock, clarified butter, oil, or sauce to prevent freezer burn.
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Purchase fresh, high-quality lobster to freeze. Weak lobster won’t improve in quality by freezing.
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Label each package with contents and freeze date so you know what’s inside and when it was frozen.
Enjoying Frozen Lobster
Frozen properly, you can use thawed lobster meat in all the same appetizing ways as fresh lobster:
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Lobster rolls
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Lobster ravioli or pasta
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Baked stuffed lobster
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Lobster tacos
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Lobster bisque
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Lobster salad
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Broiled or grilled lobster tails
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Buttery lobster risotto
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Lobster mac and cheese
With the right freezing and thawing techniques, frozen lobster meat provides all the impressive flavor, texture, and versatility of fresh cooked lobster. Now you can enjoy restaurant-quality seafood dishes at home whenever the urge strikes.
Follow these tips for flawlessly freezing lobster meat. Then get ready to create amazing gourmet meals and treats on demand once that lustrous lobster is thawed and ready to go. Your tastebuds will thank you!
How to Thaw Lobster
It takes about 24 hours in the fridge for lobster meat to thaw, so plan ahead before you want to use it.
Put the bags on a towel or plate on the bottom shelf of the fridge, away from any other meats or things that could get them dirty. Keep the bags flat.
If you need to thaw lobsters quicker, you can, in a pinch, thaw them under cold, running water. It should take between 30 minutes to an hour for the meat to thaw completely.
Once thawed, you can warm the meat in the oven for a few minutes.
Allow lobsters to thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before putting them in a pot of salted boiling water for about 15 minutes to finish cooking them all the way through.
Steaming Lobster Before Freezing
Use a large pot that will hold all the lobsters you’re cooking comfortably without overcrowding them. In the bottom of the pot, add about 2 to 3 inches of salted water. Then, put a steaming rack inside the pot. Turn the heat up high and allow the water to come to a rolling boil.
Use long tongs to place lobsters on the rack, one at a time. Once you have them all in the pot, cover the pot with a lid. If you have 10 to 20 pounds of lobster in the pot, it should take about 10 to 20 minutes of steaming to cook them all the way through. You can always check a lobster’s meat by cutting it open. If it’s fully cooked, the meat will turn white instead of clear.
After the lobsters are fully cooked, you’ll need to take out the meat. If you need help, we have a full guide on how to de-shell lobster! Allow the lobster meat to cool completely and then place it in an air-tight freezer back or container. Vacuum bags are the best option if you have them.
Don’t add too much meat to one bag. Use several bags, if necessary. The meat should be able to lay in a single layer in the freezer.
Write the date on the bags and put them in the freezer so that air can flow around them. Don’t put them close to other frozen foods or in a tight space. Keep your freezer at 0 degrees F or colder. Lobsters can typically stay in the freezer for up to 12 months.
How to Cook Frozen Lobster Tails
Can you freeze cooked lobster meat?
To freeze cooked lobster meat, start by removing the meat from the shell. Once the meat is removed, place it in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Be sure to press out as much air as possible before sealing the container or bag to prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date of freezing to keep track of its freshness.
How do you freeze a frozen lobster?
Chill after blanching in cold running water or in a tub with a mixture of 50% water to 50% ice. Following a 15-20 minute chill, remove excess surface water. Place lobsters in commercial freezer bags and remove as much air as possible. New Ziploc vacuum bag systems available at supermarkets work well.
How do you store lobster meat in a freezer?
Pack into freezer containers in an airtight container or bag according to your preference; label with contents and date (if applicable). Place the lobster flesh in an airtight freezer bag or container when it has totally cooled. If you have vacuum bags, those are the best. Don’t stuff a bag with too much meat. Use more bags as required.
How do you seal lobster meat before freezing?
Place the lobster meat in the bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing. This can be done by pressing out the air or by using a vacuum sealer. Removing excess air will help to prevent freezer burn by reducing the amount of air that comes into contact with the meat.