Lobster tail is a delicious luxurious seafood treat. When cooked properly, the meat is succulent, sweet and tender. However, getting the meat out of the shell can be tricky if you don’t know the proper technique. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to easily remove lobster tail meat from the shell.
Before You Start
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Make sure the lobster tail is fully cooked before attempting to remove the meat Boil, steam or grill until opaque.
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Allow the tail to cool slightly so you can handle it. It should be cool enough to touch but still warm.
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Have a plate or bowl ready to collect the meat once removed
Prep the Tail
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Twist and detach the tail from the body. Discard body or reserve for stock.
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Hold the tail over a plate and pull off the small fins at the thin end.
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Use shears or kitchen scissors to cut lengthwise along the top of the shell. Cut all the way from the base to tip.
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Grab the sides of the split shell firmly with both hands to crack it open further.
Remove the Meat
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Slide a fork or your fingers between the underside of the shell and meat.
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Gently wiggle and pry the meat away from the bottom shell.
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Lift the meat out in one piece and transfer to the plate.
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Grab the top shell and peel it upward to detach the remaining meat.
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Give the tail a twist and pull to remove any meat left inside.
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Use a fork to pull out any meat left in the knuckles or joints.
Serve and Enjoy
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Brush lemon butter, herbs or other sauce over the lobster meat.
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Cut into thick medallions and serve warm with melted butter for dipping.
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Refrigerate leftover meat in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Tips for Getting the Most Meat
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Cook from frozen or thawed rather than raw for better meat yield.
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Steam or grill rather than boil to retain moisture and prevent overcooking.
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Cut through membrane along the back before cooking for seasoning absorption.
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Twist and break shells after cooking when lobster is softest.
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Reserve shells to make stock for bisques, chowders and more.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Meat sticking to the shell – This happens if undercooked. Cook longer until opaque.
Broken meat – Let lobster cool further before removing. Meat tears easily when hot.
Small yield of meat – Buy larger, heavier tails next time. More weight = more meat.
Bland flavor – Brush with melted butter, lemon juice or herbs before serving.
Difficulty loosening shell – Use a wider, sharper knife or kitchen shears to split shell.
Get the Most Value from Lobster Tails
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Buy raw tails and extract meat yourself for best price per ounce.
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Opt for sustainable wild caught vs farmed to get better flavor and texture.
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Purchase marked down frozen tails and cook from frozen state.
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Save shells to make lobster stock at home.
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Use claw meat for lobster rolls, meat for buttery medallions.
With the right technique, you can enjoy the satisfying experience of plucking juicy, succulent meat from lobster shells. Just follow these simple steps for how to easily remove lobster tail meat and you’ll be indulging in this luxurious seafood delight.
Community Q&ASearch
- A reader asks if the red meat in a lobster is safe to eat. The hard red “meat” that you see in some lobsters is actually roe, which lets you know that it’s a female lobster. In other words, you are eating lobster caviar. Its delicious.
- Question The lobster meat will not release from the tail. Why? Michele Top Answerer: Lobsters lose their shells and grow new ones every few years. The shell may not harden for up to a year, and the meat may stay a little stuck to the new shell until then. Also, tails are usually frozen, and that can also make them stick.
- Question: I took the lobster tail all the way out of its shell. How long should I boil it? Michele Top Answerer There are steps for taking the meat out of a cooked shell. For the best taste, keep it in the shell if you’re going to boil or steam it. In that case, it’s better to cut the tail into cubes and cook them in a pan with butter after taking off the shell.
- If you don’t want to wait for the lobster to cool down, grab it with pot holders. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0 .
- Your lobsters are ready when their antennae are easy to pull out. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0 .
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
- First let the lobster cool down to room temperature. Then, hold it with your bare hands. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0 .
- This only works with cooked lobster. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1 .
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How to De-shell a Lobster Tail
How do you remove a lobster tail?
You can remove this by wiping or cutting it away and then rinsing the lobster. To get the lobster meat out of the tail, copy Martha’s go-to trick: Flex the tail and insert the fork between the shell and the meat, with the back of the fork facing upward. “Twist and pull, and the whole tail should come right out,” she says.
Can you cook lobster tail meat out of the shell?
Yes, you can definitely cook lobster tail meat out of the shell. It’s a popular cooking method that allows you to enjoy the succulent and tender meat without the hassle of cracking open the shell. What is the best way to remove the meat from the lobster tail?
How do you thaw lobster tail meat?
Place them in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Once thawed, use sharp shears or a kitchen knife to carefully cut through the top shell lengthwise, exposing the meat. When it comes to cooking lobster tail meat out of the shell, there are several methods you can choose from. Here are a few popular techniques:
How do you eat a lobster tail?
Be bold! Place the body in the bowl. Lobster freaks may actually twist off the little legs and suck the meat out, but it’s a labor of love. Hold the tail section over the plate. Pull the fins off the end of the lobster tail. There’s tiny bits of meat in the fins, if you’re inclined to work them out.