People don’t always have to let frozen lobster tails thaw before cooking them. If you don’t, the lobster might not taste as good and be too firm. We recommend defrosting frozen lobster tails in the refrigerator overnight before cooking them to warm, buttery perfection.
It is actually quite easy to cook lobster tails once thawed. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this New England coastal treat, along with the best way to cook thawed frozen lobster tails.
Lobster tails are a delicious and luxurious seafood treat. When cooked properly, the sweet lobster meat pairs perfectly with drawn butter or lemon juice. While live lobsters or fresh lobster tails are ideal, frozen lobster tails can be an excellent alternative when fresh isn’t available. Frozen tails allow you to enjoy lobster anytime without needing to visit the fish market.
When working with frozen lobster tails, proper thawing and cooking times are key to achieving tender, juicy meat. So how long should you bake frozen lobster tails? The baking time depends on the size and quantity of tails. Read on for a complete guide to baking frozen lobster tails from thaw to finish.
Thawing Frozen Lobster Tails
While you can cook some frozen seafood directly from frozen, lobster tails should always be thawed before cooking. Baking frozen tails results in tough, chewy meat that sticks to the shell.
To thaw frozen lobster tails
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Place tails in a bowl and refrigerate overnight. Slow thawing prevents meat from sticking to the shell.
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Do not thaw at room temperature or in hot water, This causes exterior to thaw faster than the inside
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Thaw only as many tails as needed. Refreeze remaining tails immediately.
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Use thawed tails within 1-2 days. Do not refreeze tails after thawing.
Once lobster tails are thawed, they are ready to prep and bake.
Preparing Lobster Tails for Baking
Before baking, prepare thawed lobster tails:
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Using kitchen shears, cut lengthwise along center of shell. Do not cut all the way through.
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Carefully open cut shell and loosen meat. Leave meat attached at base of tail.
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Lift meat up and away from bottom shell. Brush with melted butter or oil.
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Season with salt, pepper, lemon juice or other seasonings as desired.
With tails prepped, it’s time to bake.
How Long to Bake Frozen Lobster Tails
Frozen lobster tail baking times depend on:
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Size of tails – Larger tails take longer to cook through.
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Thickness of meat – Thicker tail meat requires more baking time.
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Number of tails – More tails in the oven add to total baking time.
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Oven temperature – Standard is 350°F, but a higher temp reduces bake time.
Use these general guidelines for baking frozen lobster tails:
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4-5 oz tail at 350°F: 8-10 minutes
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6-8 oz tail at 350°F: 10-12 minutes
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10-12 oz tail at 350°F: 12-15 minutes
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Double recipe time for double the tails
To ensure proper doneness, use an instant-read thermometer. Lobster tails are done when internal temperature reaches 140°F. The meat will be opaque and firm.
Monitor tails closely near end of cook time. Lobster overcooks quickly, resulting in rubbery meat.
Additional Tips for Baked Lobster Tails
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Brush thawed tails with butter or oil before baking for added moisture and flavor.
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Use a baking sheet with a wire rack to allow airflow under tails. This prevents overcooking.
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Resist urge to peek. Opening the oven releases heat and can increase cook time.
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Let tails rest 3-5 minutes after baking. Carryover cooking finishes cooking process.
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Serve with lemon wedges, clarified butter, aioli or other dipping sauces.
Cooking Frozen Lobster Other Ways
While baking is popular, frozen lobster tails can be prepared using various cooking methods:
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Broiling – Cooks similar to grilling. Butterfly tails, brush with butter and broil 4-5 minutes.
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Grilling – Imparts smoky flavor. Grill butterflied tails over direct medium heat for 8-10 minutes, turning once.
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Boiling – Submerge whole tails in large pot of boiling water and cook for 5-8 minutes. Shock in ice bath.
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Steaming – Suspend over boiling water in steamer basket and cook for 5-7 minutes.
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Sautéing – Cook thawed meat in butter or oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
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Air frying – Butterfly tails, mist with oil, and “fry” at 400°F for 4-6 minutes.
No matter which cooking method you choose, frozen lobster tails make an elegant, restaurant-worthy meal. With proper thawing and cooking, frozen tails can be just as delicious as their fresh counterparts. Follow these guidelines on baking times and temperatures for tender, juicy lobster meat.
Shell and remove unwanted pieces.
Prior to cooking, you should de-vein the lobster tail.
On the surface of the meat, you may see a dark line running down the center. That discoloration is normal but doesn’t taste especially good. You can peel or scrape that out with a knife in a process called de-veining, similar to cleaning shrimp. If you see a green paste-like substance on the surface of the meat, this is normal! It’s called the tomalley. Just scrape it off as well.
Chef’s tip: Simmering the discarded shells with a little white wine and vegetable stock makes for an amazing lobster stock that’s perfect for making lobster bisque.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Lobster Tails
It doesn’t matter if you cook lobster that has been frozen or lobster that has just been caught in Casco Bay. Lobster—which is rich, to begin with—tastes great with a simple lemon-butter sauce. You can also season with only salt, pepper, and paprika.
How to Cook Frozen Lobster Tails
How long do you cook lobster tails?
Brush the flesh with butter and season with salt. Broil the lobster tails until the shells turn bright orange the flesh is opaque and cooked through and the tails begin to curl, about 4 minutes for 5- to 6-ounce lobster tails. Probably the most traditional way to cook lobster tails, steaming is faster than boiling.
Can you cook frozen lobster tails in the oven?
Yes, you can cook frozen lobster tails in the oven. It is a convenient method that ensures even cooking and delicious results. How do I thaw frozen lobster tails before cooking? To thaw frozen lobster tails, place them in the refrigerator overnight or for approximately 24 hours.
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 frozen lobster?
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. Buy frozen lobster that has never been thawed.