Lobster tails are a delicious and indulgent seafood treat. When cooked properly, lobster tails can be succulent, tender and full of sweet, briny flavor. However, cooking lobster tails can be intimidating for home cooks. Lobster tails require precise cooking methods to avoid over or undercooking. Choosing the right cooking method and following some helpful tips will ensure perfect lobster tails every time.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about cooking lobster tails:
- Broiling and steaming are the most popular cooking methods for lobster tails.
- Broiling produces tender, juicy meat with a crispy top crust.
- Steaming gently cooks the lobster all the way through and preserves moisture.
- The ideal internal temperature for cooked lobster meat is 140-145°F.
- Frozen tails should be thawed slowly in the fridge before cooking.
- Lobster tails are done cooking when the meat is opaque and flakes easily.
- Cooking times vary from 5-8 minutes for steaming and 8-12 minutes for broiling.
- Avoid overcooking, as it can make the meat rubbery.
Broiling
Broiling is a quick, easy and popular method for cooking lobster tails at home. The high heat of the broiler cooks the meat while adding a crispy, caramelized crust on top. Here are some tips for broiling lobster tails to perfection:
- Thaw frozen lobster tails overnight in the refrigerator if using frozen.
- Use a pair of kitchen shears to carefully cut through the top side of the shell lengthwise without cutting into the meat.
- Spread the split side of the shell open and loosen the meat from the bottom shell slightly.
- Brush the lobster meat lightly with melted butter or olive oil.
- Place lobster tails shell-side up on a broiler pan lined with aluminum foil.
- Broil 4-5 inches from high heat for 8-12 minutes until opaque.
- Check frequently to avoid overcooking.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately with melted butter.
Broiling brings out the natural sweetness of lobster meat. Keep a close eye on the tails as broiling times can vary based on thickness. The trick is taking them out as soon as the lobster meat is fully opaque and cooked through.
Broiling Times
| Lobster Tail Size | Broiling Time |
|---|---|
| 4-5 oz | 8-9 minutes |
| 6-7 oz | 10-11 minutes |
| 8-10 oz | 12-14 minutes |
Steaming
Steaming is a gentle cooking method that keeps lobster meat tender and succulent. The moist heat of steaming cooks the lobster tails evenly without drying them out. Here is a simple steaming method:
- Use a large pot with a steamer basket insert.
- Fill the pot with 1-2 inches of water.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Place lobster tails shell-side up in the steamer basket.
- Place the basket in the pot, cover and steam for 8-10 minutes.
- Check for doneness by looking for opaque meat.
- Remove tails from basket and serve warm with melted butter.
Steaming produces succulent, moist lobster tails every time. Be careful not to overcook them, as the gentle steam heat can quickly toughen the delicate meat. Use a digital food thermometer to check the internal temperature if needed.
Steaming Times
| Lobster Tail Size | Steaming Time |
|---|---|
| 4-5 oz | 5-7 minutes |
| 6-7 oz | 7-8 minutes |
| 8-10 oz | 8-10 minutes |
Baking
Baking is an easy hands-off approach for cooking lobster tails at home. The dry, ambient heat of the oven thoroughly cooks the lobster meat while adding flavor. Here are some tips for baking lobster tails:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Thaw frozen lobster tails if using frozen.
- Prepare tails by splitting the shell and loosening the meat.
- Place tails meat-side up on a baking sheet.
- Brush with butter, oil or other seasonings.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until opaque.
- Check frequently to prevent overcooking.
- Let tails rest 5 minutes before serving.
The key with baking is monitoring doneness closely. Since oven temperatures can vary, begin checking early for opaque meat so the tails do not end up overcooked and chewy. Letting the tails rest after baking allows the juices to redistribute through the meat for added moisture and flavor.
Baking Times
| Lobster Tail Size | Baking Time |
|---|---|
| 4-5 oz | 10-12 minutes |
| 6-7 oz | 12-14 minutes |
| 8-10 oz | 14-16 minutes |
Grilling
Grilling lobster tails on a barbecue or outdoor grill adds delicious smoky flavor. The intense heat quickly cooks and caramelizes the shell while keeping the meat moist. Follow these grilling tips for the best results:
- Use a hot clean grill preheated to medium-high heat.
- Brush the grill grates well with oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill the lobster tails shell-side-down first.
- Grill for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly charred.
- Flip and grill meat-side down for 4-6 minutes until opaque.
- Brush with butter or oil to prevent drying out.
- Check frequently to avoid overcooking.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
The smoky aroma and char flavor from grilling complement lobster tails well. Keep a spray bottle on hand to control any grill flare ups from the shell and butter. Rotate the tails for even exposure to the heat to prevent burning.
Grilling Times
| Lobster Tail Size | Grilling Time |
|---|---|
| 4-5 oz | 8-10 minutes |
| 6-7 oz | 10-12 minutes |
| 8-10 oz | 12-15 minutes |
Sous Vide
Sous vide cooking involves sealing lobster tails in plastic bags then immersing them in a precisely temperature controlled water bath. This low and slow hands-off method tenderizes the meat and retains moisture. Follow these sous vide steps:
- Season tails with butter, oil or other flavorings.
- Seal seasoned tails in individual plastic bags removing excess air.
- Cook at 122°F for 15-20 minutes for 4-7 oz tails.
- Cook 8-10 oz tails for 25-30 minutes.
- Remove bags and sear tails briefly on hot grill or pan.
- Serve tails warm with any accumulated juices.
The benefit of sous vide is it eliminates any risk of over or undercooking the lobster. Cooking low and slow yields extremely tender, succulent results. Just be sure to thoroughly preheat and calibrate the water bath for accuracy.
Sous Vide Times
| Lobster Tail Size | Sous Vide Time |
|---|---|
| 4-5 oz | 15-17 minutes |
| 6-7 oz | 17-20 minutes |
| 8-10 oz | 23-25 minutes |
Poaching
Poaching is a simple moist-heat method for cooking lobster tails gently in simmering liquid. Using flavorful poaching liquids adds extra taste to the meat. Follow these poaching instructions:
- Use a shallow pan large enough to hold tails flat.
- Add enough water, wine, broth or court bouillon to partially cover tails.
- Add aromatics like lemon, garlic, herbs for flavor.
- Bring poaching liquid to a bare simmer.
- Add tails and poach at 170-180°F until opaque, about 6-8 minutes.
- Check frequently to prevent overcooking.
- Serve tails drizzled with the poaching liquid.
Aromatic poaching liquid infuses mild lobster meat with savory flavors. White wines like Chardonnay or broths make excellent poaching bases. Keeping the temperature low prevents the delicate meat from drying out during poaching.
Poaching Times
| Lobster Tail Size | Poaching Time |
|---|---|
| 4-5 oz | 6-7 minutes |
| 6-7 oz | 7-8 minutes |
| 8-10 oz | 8-10 minutes |
Boiling
Boiling is the traditional cooking method used for cooking whole lobsters. It can also be used to prepare lobster tails. The rolling boil helps rapidly cook the meat while infusing flavor into the shell. Here are some tips for properly boiling lobster tails:
- Use a large pot filled with enough salted water to cover the tails.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil.
- Gently add tails to the pot and return to a boil.
- Boil 4-7 oz tails for 5-7 minutes until opaque.
- Boil 8-10 oz tails for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove tails immediately when done to prevent overcooking.
- Chill cooked tails in an ice bath to stop carryover cooking.
When boiling lobster tails, timing is key. Check doneness early and frequently. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to carefully remove the delicate meat once thoroughly cooked. Chilling in an ice bath will halt the cooking process and help retain moisture.
Boiling Times
| Lobster Tail Size | Boiling Time |
|---|---|
| 4-5 oz | 5-6 minutes |
| 6-7 oz | 6-7 minutes |
| 8-10 oz | 8-9 minutes |
How to Tell When Lobster Tails Are Done
Determining when lobster tails are fully cooked is the key to serving perfect results. Here are some visual and temperature cues to look for:
- The lobster meat should be completely opaque with no translucent areas.
- The meat separates easily from the shell.
- It flakes easily and looks moist, not dried out.
- Clear lobster juice oozes from the meat when cut.
- It registers 140-145°F internally on a thermometer.
Lobster meat overcooked past 150°F will become rubbery and chewy. It is better to slightly undercook and allow carryover cooking to finish it off after removing from the heat source.
Serving andPairing with Lobster Tails
Lobster tails are delicious served hot with drawn butter for dipping or a creamy sauce like hollandaise. Cool seafood sauces like remoulade or cocktail sauce also pair well. Some tasty side options include:
- Melted garlic-herb butter
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Sauteed asparagus
- Corn on the cob
- Classic baked potato
Full-bodied white wines like Chardonnay, Viognier and riesling make excellent wine accompaniments. The succulent lobster meat also pairs nicely with sparkling wines and lighter reds like Pinot Noir.
Storing Leftover Lobster Tails
Refrigerate leftover lobster tails in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheating gently preserves the delicate texture and flavor.
Quick reheating methods include:
- Placing in a steamer basket over simmering water for 2-3 minutes.
- Sautéing in a pan with a small amount of butter just until warmed through.
- Wrapping in a damp paper towel and microwaving on Low power in 30 second increments.
Avoid overcooking or drying out the reheated meat. Use leftover lobster tails to make lobster rolls, tacos, pasta dishes or seafood salad for another quick meal.
Conclusion
Perfectly cooked lobster tails are easy to make at home with a few simple guidelines. Choosing between broiling, steaming, baking or poaching allows you to tailor the results to your desired flavor and texture. Paying close attention to precise cooking times avoids over or undercooking the delicate meat. Served with melted butter or dipping sauces, restaurant-quality lobster tails can be enjoyed in your own kitchen with these foolproof cooking methods.