How Much Meat Is Actually In A Lobster Tail?

People who know a lot about lobsters and love cooking often ask us, “What is a good-sized lobster to buy?” This is a question that every cook needs to know before making a special meal for one, two, or twenty people, and we have all the answers.

We will look at lobster sizes and meat density to help you choose the best size (and number) for your next lobster meal. To help you get the exact right number, we’ll discuss:

What size lobster to order will depend on your budget, the menu, the event’s size, and the reason for it. Let’s look at all of these factors together to find the best lobster size for you. Side note: LobsterAnywhere ships freshly caught Maine lobsters ranging from 1 ¼ lb. , the size you might find at a Boston seafood restaurant, all the way up to a 10–12 lb. monster lobster (for super special occasions).

Lobster tails are one of the most popular and delicious parts of the lobster. Their sweet, succulent meat is considered a delicacy across the world. But have you ever wondered just how much meat you actually get from a lobster tail?

In this article, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of how much meat you can expect to get from lobster tails of varying sizes. We’ll also offer tips on how to pick the best lobster tails and how to extract the maximum amount of meat from them. Whether you’re cooking lobster tails at home or ordering them at a restaurant, this guide will ensure you get the most for your money when it comes to lobster tail meat.

Average Meat Yield From Lobster Tails

The amount of meat you get from a lobster tail depends on the size and shell hardness Here are the average yields

Small lobster tails (3-4 oz): 1.5-2 oz of meat
Medium lobster tails (5-7 oz): 2.5-3.5 oz of meat
Large lobster tails (8-10 oz): 4-5 oz of meat
Jumbo lobster tails (12-14 oz): 6-7 oz of meat

So for example if you order a 5 oz lobster tail expect around 2.5-3 oz of edible lobster meat from it. The remaining weight comes from the shell and juices.

The meat yield ranges are approximations and can vary a bit based on factors like season and lobster size. Soft-shell lobsters after molting have a lower meat to shell ratio. Hard-shell lobsters are most prized for their higher meat yield.

Choosing Lobster Tails for Max Meat

Picking the right lobster tails can help maximize your meat return. Here are some tips:

Go for Hard-Shells: Hard-shell lobster tails yield more meat compared to soft-shells. The shells will be firm and crunchy.
Select Heavier Tails: Heftier tails mean more meat-to-shell proportion. Lightweight tails tend to have more shell.
Size Matters: Get the largest tails you can afford. Jumbo and large sizes have the most meat per oz.
Check Shell Integrity: Avoid cracked or damaged shells which allow juices and meat to seep out.
Pick Females: Female tails tend to be broader with more meat than narrower male tails.
Choose Live/Fresh: Live or freshly-cooked and frozen tails retain moisture better.

Following these guidelines when shopping for lobster tails will help maximize the meat amount you get to enjoy.

Tips to Get the Most Meat Out of Lobster Tails

Proper preparation and cooking techniques also play a key role in getting the most lobster meat out of the shells. Here are some useful tips:

Thaw Safely: For frozen tails, thaw slowly in the fridge instead of microwaving to prevent meat from drying out.
Brush with Oil: Lightly coating the shell with oil or butter helps the meat pull off easily after cooking.
Cook Evenly: Broil, grill or steam evenly on both sides to cook lobster meat thoroughly without overdoing any sections.
Watch the Time: Undercooking leaves raw meat inside while overcooking makes it chewy. Stick to recommended cooking times.
Extract Carefully: Use lobster crackers, picks and forks to gently pull meat out of corners and crevices leaving nothing behind.
Save the Juices: Collect the lobster juices dripping out and use to moisten and enhance the flavor of the extracted meat.

Following proper handling methods and being careful when extracting the cooked lobster makes a big difference in how much meat makes it to your plate.

How Lobster Tail Sizes and Weights Compare

To help give you a better sense of lobster tail sizes, here’s a more detailed Size-Weight breakdown:

Small: 3-4 oz tails, 6-8 inches long
Medium: 5-7 oz tails, 8-9 inches long
Large: 8-10 oz tails, 9-11 inches long
Jumbo: 12-14 oz tails, 11-13 inches long

The small 3-4 oz tails are about the size of a smartphone while the Jumbo 12-14 oz tails are closer to a full sized iPad.

If you want a rough estimate, you can expect the edible meat weight to be about 40-50% of the total lobster tail weight depending on shell hardness. A 7 oz tail will yield around 3 oz of delicious lobster meat.

Average Price Per Ounce of Lobster Tail Meat

Pricing for lobster tail meat usually ranges from $12-$25 per ounce depending on factors like:

Location – Prices are higher at upscale coastal restaurants
Size – Larger tails cost more per oz than smaller ones
Quality Grade – Premium wild caught grades are pricier
Supply and Demand – Prices peak when lobster is less available
Preparation – On-site prepared tails cost more than uncooked retail packs
Origin – Tails shipped from colder waters like Maine, Canada tend to command higher pricing

To get the best value, buy raw frozen tails and prepare them yourself. Look for sales or buy direct from reputable seafood suppliers online.

Common Ways Lobster Tails Are Served and Eaten

There are a variety of ways people love to eat lobster tail meat. Here are some of the most popular preparation methods:

Grilled lobster tails – Grilling brings out the natural sweetness
Broiled lobster tails – Quick and easy to make at home
Lobster tails baked with butter – Butter bastes the meat as it cooks
Lobster tail cocktail – Served chilled with sauce as an appetizer
Surf and turf – Paired with steak for a classic indulgent dinner
Lobster ravioli – Tails baked into large seafood ravioli pillows
Lobster risotto – Tail meat and juices blended into creamy risotto
Lobster rolls – Meat mixed with mayo or butter and served in a hot dog bun

The tender texture and versatility of lobster tail meat makes it perfect for everything from upscale dining to relaxed beachside meals.

Fun Facts About Lobster Tails

Here are a few interesting tidbits about lobster tails that you may not have known:

American lobsters have longer claws while European lobsters have bigger tails
Lobsters can autotomize (self-amputate) their tails to escape predators and later regrow them
The meat inside lobster tails is scientifically known as the “abdominal muscle”
Lobsters change shells frequently as they grow by molting which affects tail meat yield
Female lobster tails are broader and carry the delicacy known as lobster roe or coral
Lobsters get most of their red color from a pigment called astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant
The biggest lobster tail ever recorded weighed over 9 pounds!
Lobster was once considered a poor man’s food and was fed to prisoners and indentured servants in colonial America

Key Takeaways on Lobster Tail Meat Yield

You can expect around 40-50% of a lobster tail’s total weight to be edible lobster meat
Hard-shell, female, large and jumbo sized tails will give you the highest meat yield
Careful cooking and extraction lets you get the most meat out of the shell
Avoid overcooking to prevent the delicate lobster meat from becoming chewy
Prices average $12-$25 per ounce but you can pay less for retail frozen tails
Grilling, broiling, baking and adding to seafood pasta are popular ways tails are served

how much meat is in a lobster tail

Chix or Chicken Lobsters

There is a legal small lobster called a “chix” that weighs just over one pound. It is also known as a “chicken lobster.” These chicken lobsters are popular as tourist foods in New England. They are often listed on restaurant menus as a “twin lobster special,” with two of these little guys.

At LobsterAnywhere, we do not ship small lobsters under 1. 20 lbs or soft-shell lobsters, known as new shell lobsters— crustaceans that recently shed their shell. We don’t think it’s worth the trouble to shuck a chicken lobster when you can eat a bigger one with more meat.

You should start with 1 ¼ lb of lobster if you are having a big lobster bake or want to keep the price per person low. (550-650g) lobsters, also known as “quarters. ” These lobsters are a good size and are usually more plentiful than the larger lobsters. Quarters are also a good choice if you have a lot of side dishes or serve surf and turf.

How Much Meat Is in a Live Lobster? The meat from a 1.5-pound hard-shell lobster is about 1 1/3 cups when cooked.

1 ½ lb. (650-775 g) lobsters are called halves because they’re one pound plus a half. These are whole, live lobsters, not lobsters that have been cut in half. Half lobsters are big enough for a “Maine” course lobster dinner.

How Much Lobster Should I Get Per Person?

Calculating the right amount of lobster to cook for guests can be a bit confusing and frustrating. Most of the confusion comes from the differing measurements. Lobster weight by carapace length varies throughout the year since lobsters molt and shed their shells.

A good hard-shell lobster will yield about 19-22% cooked lobster meat. Soft shell lobsters typically have less meat per pound than hard shell lobsters.

When lobsters are caught in the summer, we don’t ship soft shell lobsters because they are fragile and don’t have much meat.

To get a good idea of how much meat costs per pound, just multiply the price per/lb of live lobsters by the number of lobsters that are needed to cook one pound of meat.

For example, a 1 lb. hard-shell lobster will yield 3. 36 oz. of cooked meat (Based on a 21% yield). To get a pound of meat, divide 16 oz. (1 lb. ) by 3. 36 oz.

So you will need 4.76 1 lb. lobsters for 1 pound of cooked meat.

Cost Formula: $ x/lb. (live) x 4.76=$_/lb. meat

How to Shell and Eat A Whole Lobster

How much meat does a 1 1/2 pound lobster yield?

A 1 1/2 pound hard-shell lobster yields about 1 1/3 cups of cooked meat. 1 ½ lb. (650-775 g) lobsters are called ‘halves’ because they weigh one pound and a half. These are whole, live lobsters, not lobsters cut in half. Halves are a large enough lobster for a ‘Maine’ course lobster dinner.

How much meat is in a pound of cooked lobster?

For example, a 1 lb. hard-shell lobster yields 3.36 oz. of cooked meat (Based on a 21% yield). To get a pound of meat, you will need to buy approximately 4.76 1 lb. lobsters.

How should you eat a lobster tail?

To eat a lobster tail, butterfly it by gently spreading the shell open and separating the meat from the sides using your thumbs. Carefully pull the lobster meat up toward you, leaving it attached at the tail fan. Rest it on top of the shell. Repeat this process with the remaining lobster tails.

How many ounces is a typical lobster roll?

A typical lobster roll contains about 4 oz. of cooked lobster meat. Four ounces of meat is considered a serving size for lobster. The chart below shows the meat yield differences between a hard shell and soft shell lobster and the number of lobsters needed to yield a pound of cooked meat.