Got some frozen lobster tails for a good price but don’t know what to do with them? I can help you cook them.
Cooking frozen lobster tails is easier than you think after being thawed. Yes, thawed. Unfortunately, there’s no way around the thawing part if you’re after succulent, tender, sweet lobster meat. Cooking straight from frozen produces a tough lobster. Thawing is easy though and doesn’t take too long.
Frozen lobster tails are great for many recipes when fresh lobster isn’t available or when you want to find lobster that stays around the same price. They can be found just about anywhere if you know where to look. My favorite way to cook the lobster tails is by poaching in a flavorful butter mixture.
To find out more about how it all works, scroll down or click here. Now you can go straight to the recipe.
Lobster tails are a delicious, luxurious seafood treat. When cooking frozen lobster tails at home, steaming is a simple and foolproof method that yields tender, juicy meat. But how long should you steam frozen lobster tails to ensure they are cooked through without becoming rubbery?
The steaming time can vary based on the size and thickness of each tail. Here, I’ll walk through everything you need to know to steam frozen lobster tails to tender succulent perfection.
What You Need to Know About Steaming Frozen Lobster Tails
Steaming is one of the best ways to cook frozen lobster tails. The moist heat gently cooks the lobster, keeping it tender and juicy without drying it out.
Steaming frozen tails takes a little longer than fresh since the tails must first thaw through before cooking. But with the right timing, you can achieve results identical to fresh lobster.
When steaming straight from frozen, add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time versus fresh. Monitor closely and use a food thermometer to test doneness, as each tail may vary slightly.
Proper steaming also requires a tight-fitting lid to circulate steam and evenly cook the tails Avoid peeking during cooking which lets steam escape
How Long to Steam Different Size Frozen Lobster Tails
The steaming time for frozen lobster tails depends entirely on the size and thickness of each individual tail.
Here are general guidelines for steaming times based on the weight of frozen lobster tails
- 4-5 oz frozen lobster tails – steam for 5-7 minutes
- 6-7 oz frozen lobster tails – steam for 8-10 minutes
- 8-10 oz frozen lobster tails – steam for 10-12 minutes
- 12-14 oz frozen lobster tails – steam for 12-14 minutes
- 1 lb frozen lobster tails – steam for 15-18 minutes
Within each size range, the thickness of the meat and shell can impact cooking time. Always rely on visual cues and a food thermometer to determine when tails are done.
How to Tell When Frozen Lobster Tails Are Fully Cooked
It can be tricky to tell when frozen lobster tails are fully cooked through since you cannot rely on color change like with fresh tails. Here are some ways to test doneness:
-
Check temperature – correctly cooked lobster should reach 140-145°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to take a temperature reading in the thickest part of the tail.
-
Look for opaque meat – the lobster meat should be opaque throughout when fully cooked. Translucent sections mean it needs more time.
-
Pull on the meat – give the end of the meat a tug with tongs or a fork. If it resists pulling apart, it is fully cooked and ready to eat.
-
Squeeze the shell – when properly cooked, the shell should feel firm yet flexible. If it still feels very rigid, continue steaming for another 1-2 minutes.
Checking doneness with multiple indicators gives you an accurate read on when those frozen tails are ready to enjoy!
Step-By-Step Guide to Steaming Frozen Lobster Tails
Now that you know approximately how long to steam different size frozen tails, let’s walk through the full process from start to finish:
Ingredients:
- Frozen lobster tails, any size
- 1-2 tsp salt
- Melted butter, lemon wedges, or other sauce for serving
Equipment:
- Large pot with lid
- Steamer basket
- Tongs
- Instant-read thermometer
Instructions:
-
Take frozen lobster tails straight from the freezer. Do not thaw before steaming.
-
Fill a large pot with 1-2 inches of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
-
Add 1-2 tsp of salt to the water. This adds flavor to the steam.
-
Place lobster tails in a single layer in a steamer basket. Do not overcrowd.
-
Position steamer basket in pot over boiling water. Cover pot with tight-fitting lid.
-
Steam lobster tails for time based on their weight, as outlined above. Start timer as soon as lid is on.
-
After steaming time, immediately transfer tails to a sheet pan or plate. Do not leave in steamer.
-
Use tongs and thermometer to check doneness with the methods discussed earlier.
-
Serve tails immediately with melted butter, lemon wedges, or your favorite sauce. Enjoy!
With this handy guide, you can achieve restaurant-quality steamed lobster in your own kitchen. Be sure to calibrate steaming times as needed based on the results.
Proper steaming locks in moisture, flavor, and tenderness – especially important with frozen tails. Follow these tips for lobster that impresses every time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steaming Frozen Lobster Tails
Should you thaw frozen lobster tails before steaming?
Thawing is not necessary when steaming frozen lobster tails. You can place them directly into the steamer from frozen. Just be sure to add extra time to the steaming.
Is there a difference between steaming fresh vs. frozen tails?
Fresh tails will steam slightly faster since they do not need to thaw first. Frozen tails need 2-3 extra minutes. Also, color change is not as apparent with frozen so rely on temperature and texture instead.
What happens if you undercook frozen lobster tails?
Undercooked frozen lobster will have translucent sections of raw meat and feel rubbery. It is safe to continue steaming fully cooked. But for best texture, do not overcook once thawed.
Can you re-steam frozen lobster tails if undercooked?
Yes, you can place undercooked frozen tails back in the steamer for 1-2 minutes to finish cooking through without compromising texture.
Should you split lobster tails before steaming frozen?
Do not split or cut shells before steaming frozen tails. The shell protects the delicate meat and prevents overcooking. Cut shells once fully steamed.
Can you steam frozen lobster tail meat or do you need shells?
It is difficult to steam frozen lobster meat without shells. The shells protect and contain the meat during steaming. For tail meat, it is better to thaw first.
Steaming frozen lobster to tender perfection is easy when you follow some simple guidelines. Adjust cooking times based on size, use a thermometer to test doneness, and avoid overcooking. In just 10-15 minutes, you can enjoy juicy, restaurant-quality lobster straight from your home kitchen.
How To Thaw Frozen Lobster Tails
I tried two ways to thaw the lobster tails because I learned that you do need to do that first: under cold running water and in the fridge. I prefer letting them thaw in the refrigerator for a couple of reasons. Although it takes a little longer (but not by much), it’s the safest way to thaw seafood.
When you thaw something in running water, water can get into the cut end of the tail and make cooking more difficult. Thawing in the refrigerator prevents this. When the tails are in the fridge, they take a few hours to thaw. That’s why I usually leave them on a sheet pan in the fridge overnight.
Once I decided not to cook the frozen tails straight from the freezer and figured out the best way to thaw them, I tried cooking them in different ways to see which made the most tender and tasty lobster meat.
Flavoring Your Poaching Liquid
Once the tails have been skewered, set those aside and prepare the poaching liquid. In this case, it’s butter, and lots of it, with garlic and herbs. The lobster will add its own flavor to the butter, and the butter will also add its own flavor to the lobster. The lobster butter can be used for dipping after it has been poached, or it can be kept in the fridge for up to five days and used in other recipes. The butter can also be frozen up to two months.
You can add other aromatics to the pan as well. Sliced fennel bulb and a splash of vanilla extract, chipotle in adobo and lime zest, and onion, bay leaf, green bell pepper, and coconut milk are some of my favorite combinations.