What Is the Best Way to Cook Lobster Tails? - La La Lobster (2024)

Have an anniversary or an exciting celebration coming up? Looking to make an extravagant dinner from home? Lobster tails are one of the finest dishes for a special occasion and can easily elevate any meal. In a pinch? Luckily, La La Lobster’s lobster meat paired with the right sides makes for an enticing meal; we also offer the best lobster roll in Yardley, PA. Whatever your situation, lobster is a great ingredient that can be made in many different ways.

Here’s everything you need to know about cooking lobster tails.

What Is the Best Method of Cooking Lobster Tails?

When it comes to a lobster dish, lobster tails are a classic choice. There are numerous ways to make a delicious dish when cooking lobster tails. Whether you want an indulgent seafood feast or something simple and satisfying, the best way to cook lobster tails will depend on your preferences. Start by purchasing the freshest lobster tails you can find — luckily, La La Lobster uses wild-caught North Atlantic lobsters. We strive to use only the freshest ingredients for our customers, so we source our lobsters, shrimp, and fresh vegetables from local farms and businesses!

Boiling

Boiling lobster tails is a quick and easy way to cook seafood. When boiling lobster tails, start by filling a large pot with water and bringing it to a boil.

Then, add the lobster tails to the boiling water and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Once the lobster is cooked, please remove it from the boiling water and serve it with melted butter or your favorite dipping sauce.

Tip: Don’t forget to save the shells to make a flavorful stock! This creates a fantastic base for soups, stews, and sauces.

Grilling

To prepare the lobster tails, first cut them down the middle and remove the black vein. Then, brush them with melted butter or olive oil to help prevent sticking.

Next up is grilling! Place the lobster tails on a preheated grill over medium-high heat and cook for 5 minutes per side or until they turn opaque and start to brown. Finally, serve with fresh lemon or your favorite sauce.

Grilling lobster tails is a fantastic and summer-friendly way to enjoy a classic seafood dish in your backyard. In just a few minutes and a few simple steps, you can create a delicious and impressive meal that’s sure to impress!

Steaming

To begin, bring a large pot of water to boil. Make sure the pot is big enough for the steam to reach all parts of the lobster and that nothing is too crowded.

Next, place a steamer basket or an upturned colander in a pot so the lobster tails aren’t submerged in the water. Cover the pot with the lobster tails in boiling water with a lid. Keeping the pot covered is essential, as this will help steam the lobster tails evenly and thoroughly.

Let the lobster tails steam for 8-10 minutes or until they turn bright red. Be careful not to overcook them, making them tough and rubbery. Once the lobster tails are done, take them out of the pot and let them cool for a few minutes.

When ready to serve, carefully remove the shells from the tails. Serve your steamed lobster tails with melted butter or your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!

Baking

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees. Next, select your desired lobster tails and thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or by running cold water over them until they become pliable.

When ready to cook, cut the underside of each tail with kitchen shears so that it can open up like a butterfly. Place each lobster tail on a greased baking sheet and brush lightly with melted butter or olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.

Set a timer for 10-12 minutes when baking the lobster tails, and pull them out when they turn bright red. To test if they are done, insert a wooden skewer into the bulkiest part of the tail and pull out quickly. The lobster tails are ready to be served if it comes out hot.

How Do I Know When the Lobster Tails Are Done?

When cooking lobster tails at home, it is crucial to understand when they are done. If cooked too long, the meat will become rubbery and tough. The best way to ensure that your lobster tails come out ideally is by checking their internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. For optimal results, you should aim for an internal temperature of 145°F (62.78°C).

Additionally, it is recommended to butterfly the lobster tails before cooking them. This will help make sure that they cook evenly and thoroughly. If you want to butterfly a lobster tail, use kitchen shears or scissors to cut along the top of the tail until you reach just before the end of the shell. Flip the body and gently pull it apart, exposing the tail meat.

By using these tips, cooking lobster tails at home can be a successful and delicious experience. With proper internal temperature monitoring and butterflying, you can ensure your lobster tails are cooked to perfection every time!

Get To Know La La Lobster

Lobster tails are a delicious and luxurious addition to any seafood dish. Whether you’re preparing an elegant dinner for two or a casual feast for your family, steamed lobster tails make a beautiful centerpiece. At La La Lobster, we guarantee freshness for all our customers. So whether you’re looking to buy a lobster roll on the go for yourself or picking up a tasty lobster roll platter to impress company, we’ve got you covered.

Enjoy our classic lobster rolls and discover the delicious taste of fresh seafood. With us, you’ll get fresh ingredients and quality cooking that can’t be beaten. Treat yourself to some of the best seafood, and show us why La La Lobster is the place to go for quality lobster dishes.

We look forward to serving you! Bon appétit!

What Is the Best Way to Cook Lobster Tails? - La La Lobster (2024)

FAQs

What Is the Best Way to Cook Lobster Tails? - La La Lobster? ›

Cover the pot with the lobster tails in boiling water with a lid. Keeping the pot covered is essential, as this will help steam the lobster tails evenly and thoroughly. Let the lobster tails steam for 8-10 minutes or until they turn bright red. Be careful not to overcook them, making them tough and rubbery.

What is the best method of cooking lobster tails? ›

Steaming is a classic way to cook lobster and is even faster than boiling it. Use a steaming basket inside a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. Small to medium lobster tails take 6-8 minutes to cook while larger tails may take 8-12 minutes. You can steam your lobster tails in the shell or butterfly them beforehand.

Which cooking method is best for lobster? ›

Steaming lobsters is the preferred way to cook whole, live lobsters for a few reasons: you're less likely to overcook lobsters when steaming, the entire cook time is shorter and the process of cooking and removing the lobsters from the pot is a lot easier. Get a pot large enough to hold your lobsters.

How do you cook lobster tails without them getting tough? ›

Steaming lobster tails minimizes direct water contact, keeps the meat tender, and enhances flavor retention. Baking, broiling, and grilling lobster tails use dry heat to intensify flavors through the Maillard reaction. Grilling adds a smoky taste.

Is it better to bake or boil frozen lobster tails? ›

Luckily for you, preparation is simple! To prepare your lobster tails for boiling, thaw them out thoroughly. If you try to cook the lobster while it's still fully or partially frozen, it will dry out when cooking, rendering it rubbery. Thaw the lobster in a cold water bath or in the refrigerator overnight.

Is lobster tail better boiled or broiled? ›

Overall, I did feel that the steamed lobster had better texture and flavor, which makes me want to compare the preparations: The broiling method is just as easy and just as fast (helpful for those, like myself, who don't own a steamer pot).

Do you rinse lobster tail before cooking? ›

Before cooking things like lobster tails, if you aren't planning to boil them, require some rinsing under that exoskeleton.

Should I cut lobster tail before boiling? ›

Additionally, it is recommended to butterfly the lobster tails before cooking them. This will help make sure that they cook evenly and thoroughly. If you want to butterfly a lobster tail, use kitchen shears or scissors to cut along the top of the tail until you reach just before the end of the shell.

Do you crack the shell on lobster tail before cooking? ›

Basically, it involves cracking open the hard top shell so the meat underneath can come through. As it cooks, the lobster meat will start to puff up over the shell. High-class restaurants love this showy presentation.

Why is my lobster tail mushy after cooking? ›

Some chefs suspect that freezing, thawing, then refreezing could be a big factor in why meat becomes mushy. Another reason could be the lobster was recently dead or almost dead and released enzymes that start the decomposition process prior to being cooked.

How to prepare 4 oz frozen lobster tail? ›

Place the lobster shell-down on the foil-covered baking sheet. Bake the lobster for about 15 minutes per four ounces of lobster tail. As the lobster is baking, check it frequently to assess its color. Once the lobster meat turns white and opaque, remove from heat right away so it doesn't overcook.

How long to steam a 4 oz lobster tail? ›

Lobster Tail Steaming Time Chart
Lobster Tail SizeCooking Time
4-5 oz. Lobster Tails3-5 minutes
6-7 oz. Lobster Tails6-8 minutes
8-10 oz. Lobster Tails8-10 minutes
12-14 oz. Lobster Tails9-10 minutes
2 more rows

Do you cut lobster tails before boiling? ›

Rinse lobster tails; pat dry with paper towels. Cut down center of shell with kitchen shears, as shown in the photo above. Spread shell apart exposing the meat. To cook four 8-ounce tails, bring 6 cups salted water to boiling in a 3-quart saucepan.

How do you keep lobster tails tender? ›

To achieve this, take your frozen lobster tails out of the freezer a night before your planned meal and place them on either a plate or baking sheet in the refrigerator, making sure they're covered. This method of thawing lobster tails is slow, gentle, and controlled, keeping the meat tender.

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