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Lobster was a seafood I definitely avoided cooking until I got to culinary school. Its expensive (like $20 bucks a pound expensive), so I was always intimidated that Id mess it up. But the most surprising thing about lobster tails is that they’re not harder to cook even though they cost a lot.
Unless you bought fresh lobster, make sure your lobster tail is thawed completely. This will help it cook evenly and keep the meat from sticking to its shell. Putting your lobster tails in cold water for 30 minutes is the fastest and safest way to thaw them.
Kitchen shears should be very sharp. Cut the shell down the middle all the way to the fin. Using your thumbs, pry open the shell to reveal the meat.
Now that the lobster tails are ready to be cooked, do any of the steps below. They are all quick and easy, so you can’t go wrong.
As a seafood lover and amateur chef, I was always intimidated by cooking lobster tails. These crustaceans can be quite pricey, with costs upward of $20 per pound Messing up lobster tail due to under or overcooking would be a costly mistake! Through trial and error in my home kitchen, I’ve learned techniques to perfectly boil lobster tail every time
In this article, I’ll walk you through step-by-step how to know when lobster tail is done boiling You’ll learn about
- Recommended internal temperature and cooking times
- Visual cues to look for
- Common mistakes to avoid
With these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy tender, juicy lobster tail on your dinner table without breaking the bank. Let’s get started!
Why Properly Cooked Lobster Tail Matters
Eating undercooked seafood comes with health risks. Raw or undercooked lobster may contain bacteria, viruses, or parasites that cause foodborne illnesses. The most common is Vibrio, which causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills.
You definitely don’t want to serve your guests undercooked lobster! Not only for health reasons, but also for quality – lobster tail that is overcooked becomes rubbery and chewy.
By following proper cooking techniques, you can ensure your lobster tail is cooked through but remains tender and delicious.
Before Cooking: Thawing and Preparing the Lobster Tail
The first couple steps happen before the lobster tail even hits the boiling water.
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If cooking frozen lobster tails, thaw completely before boiling. The best way is submerging the tails in cold water for about 30 minutes. Thawing helps the lobster cook evenly.
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Once thawed, use kitchen shears to cut straight down the center of the shell from top to fin.
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Next, pry the shell open to reveal the meat inside.
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Rinse briefly under cold water and pat dry.
With the lobster tails prepped, it’s time to start boiling!
How Long to Boil Lobster Tails
The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your lobster tails. Here are general guidelines:
- 6-7 oz tails – Boil for 5-6 minutes
- 8-10 oz tails – Boil for 6-8 minutes
- 16-20 oz tails – Boil for 10-12 minutes
- 20-24 oz tails – Boil for 12-15 minutes
I recommend setting a timer as soon as you drop the tails into the boiling water. This prevents overcooking.
For the freshest flavor, use sea salt or kosher salt in your boiling water. About 2 tablespoons per quart of water is sufficient. Too much salt can make the water boil over.
The water should be at a rapid boil before adding lobster tails. Once the tails are in, maintain a gentle but steady boil. If the water is boiling too violently, the meat may become tough.
Use tongs to carefully lower lobster into the pot. Cook uncovered so you can monitor their progress.
How To Tell When Lobster Tails Are Done Boiling
Relying solely on boil times can lead to over or undercooked lobster. I always use multiple indicators – time, temperature, and visual signs – to determine doneness.
Minimum Internal Temperature
The most precise way to tell if your lobster tail is fully cooked is to use a food thermometer.
- Insert the thermometer probe into the thickest part of the meat.
- The minimum safe internal temperature is 140°F.
At this temperature, any potentially harmful bacteria are killed. If your lobster registers above 140°F, it is safe to eat.
Look for Color Change
As lobster cooks, you will notice vivid color changes:
- The dark blue-green shells will turn bright red.
- The translucent flesh will become opaque white.
- Pink lines will appear in the meat closest to the shell.
When the shell is fully red with white meat throughout, your lobster tail should be perfectly cooked.
Texture
Properly cooked lobster tail has a firm, dense texture. If the meat seems mushy or cottage cheese-like, it is undercooked.
Overcooked lobster becomes tough and chewy. When you tug on it, the meat will not readily flake or tear.
So for tender, flaky pieces of lobster, carefully monitor its texture while boiling.
Aroma
There should be little to no aroma coming from cooked lobster tails. An ammonia-like or fishy smell likely means the lobster has gone bad. Discard any foul-smelling lobster right away.
When using multiple doneness indicators – time, temperature, color, texture, and smell – you can feel confident your lobster tails are properly cooked. No more guessing games!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Now that you know how to perfectly boil lobster tails, let’s go over some common pitfalls to avoid:
- Not thawing frozen tails – leads to uneven cooking
- Overfilling pot – causes water to boil over
- Boiling too vigorously – makes meat tough
- No timer – results in over or undercooking
- Overcrowded pot – prevents even cooking
As long as you prep your lobster tails properly and closely monitor the boil, your lobster will turn out tender and delicious every time.
Serving Suggestions
Once boiled to perfection, there are so many ways to serve and enjoy lobster tails:
- Serve warm with lemon wedges and melted butter for dipping.
- Chill them to use in lobster rolls or lobster salad.
- Pair with steamed vegetables for a simple, healthy meal.
- Cut into chunks to top salads or pasta dishes.
- Dice lobster meat and add to risotto or seafood stew.
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Before you get started, youll need:
- a steamer basket
- a large pot with a lid
- Put a steamer basket in a big pot and add water up to two inches deep. Cover pot and bring water to a boil.
- Once boiling, add lobster tails and cover again. It’s done when the tails are bright red and the meat is soft and opaque. About 1 minute per ounce of lobster.
Before you get started, youll need:
- a large stockpot
- a slotted spoon, tongs, or a strainer
- Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a boil. Turn down the heat a bit and keep the water at a gentle boil. This is stronger than a simmer but not as strong as a rolling boil.
- Put in the lobster tails and boil them until they turn bright red and the meat inside turns white and soft. It should take about one minute per ounce to cook each tail.
- You can strain or use metal tongs to remove the tails.
Before you get started, youll need:
- Preheat grill or grill pan over medium heat. Put a skewer through the lobster lengthwise to keep it from curling up while it’s cooking.
- Rub olive oil all over the lobster and season with salt and pepper. Put the lobster tail on the grill with the fresh side down. Cook for about 6 minutes, or until it has a light char. Spread butter on top and flip the lobster over. Grill for another 5 minutes or until it’s just barely done.
How To Boil Lobster Tails | Maine Lobster Now
How long should you boil lobster tails?
Lobster tails should be boiled for about 1 minute per ounce. Before you get started, bring a large stockpot of salted water to a boil, then reduce heat slightly and keep water at a gentle boil. Add lobster tails and boil until they turn bright red and the meat turns white and tender.
How do you cook lobster tails by steaming?
To cook lobster tails by steaming, bring a small amount of water to a boil and add butterflied tails (prepared the same as for baking) in a steamer insert to the pot, ensuring the lobster is above the water line. The steam and heat in the pot cook the meat, but not the water directly.
How do you boil lobster tails in a crock pot?
You can also boil lobster tails in batches, instead of all at once. You may salt the water with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) to 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of salt to raise the boiling point of the water and help it reach a gentler boil. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Set the heat to high in order to reach a fast-paced boil.
How do you know if a lobster is cooked?
The lobster tail will change from a blue-green color to a vivid bright red color. The translucent meat should turn white. Pink lines will appear on the outer lobster meat that is closest to the shell. As the lobster cook, the protein will contract, causing the lobster tail to develop a firm texture. Cooked lobster should have little to no aroma.