Cooking lobster tails is a fairly simple process. When you buy lobster tails, you can steam them, boil them, grill them, bake them, broil them or even smoke them. If you aren’t sure which method to use, we strongly recommend boiling your lobster tails because it’s your best bet to avoid the tails sticking to the shell.
Is it better to boil or steam lobster?
For recipes that call for fully cooked and picked lobster meat boiling is the best approach. In contrast, steaming is more gentle, yielding slightly more tender meat. It preserves a little more flavor and it’s more forgiving on the timing front. It’s harder to overcook a steamed lobster.
What is the best way to cook lobster at home?
Bring water to a rolling boil over high heat. Place lobsters in the pot (head first), cover tightly, return to a boil as quickly as possible and start counting the time. Steam a lobster for 7 minutes per pound, for the first pound. Add 3 minutes per pound for each additional pound thereafter.
How long do you steam lobster tails?
Bring 1 inch water to a boil in a large pot or deep skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Place a steamer basket over water. Place tails, cut-side up, in the basket. Cover and steam until meat is just opaque and very plump, 5 to 6 minutes; do not overcook or meat will begin to shrink and dry out.
How do you cook lobster tails so they are tender?
Baking with water on the bottom of the pan in the oven gently steams the lobster, giving a tender almost poached texture. This works great for larger sized lobster tails that need more time to cook. It takes about 1 to 2 minutes per ounce to fully cook using this method.
Should you kill lobster before steaming?
Lobster is best when killed immediately before cooking. Unless you bought a frozen lobster, what you brought home from the market is alive and kicking and that leaves the task up to the cook. What is the most humane way to dispatch a lobster?
How do you steam frozen lobster tails on the stove?
Pour water into the pot until it comes about two inches up the sides. Bring the water to a boil. Add the lobster tails to the steamer basket in a single layer and cover the lid. Cook until the lobster meat is opaque and white.
Do you wash lobster tail before cooking?
Whether you purchased frozen or fresh lobster tails, you should always first rinse off the tails’ exterior. To ensure the lobsters are clean, scrub the shell only, not the exposed meat. Do not submerge the tails in water as the meat can absorb the liquid, creating a watery tasting lobster.
What is a good price for lobster tail?
Pros of Warm Water Lobster Tails
Pro: Priced cheaper – These are the tails that usually go on sale right before Valentine’s Day, and that you can usually pick up for around $5-$10 a tail. Pro: Easy to find – The warm water lobster tails are readily available at many grocery stores.
How do you know when lobster tails are done?
How Can You Tell Lobster Tails are Cooked?
- To test one tail to see if it is done, use a knife to cut through the soft underside of the shell into the thickest part of the tail meat.
- If it appears completely white with no translucent (grayish) color, then they are ready to serve.
How long do I Steam frozen lobster tails?
Just put a steamer insert into a pot large enough for the tails, and bring it to a boil. Once it’s steaming freely, put in your tails – taking care not to burn yourself with the hot steam – and steam for 8 to 10 minutes.
How do you steam lobster tails in the oven?
Place the lobster tails in a baking dish and brush the tail meat with clarified butter. Add 1 cup of water to the baking dish. Cover the dish with a piece of aluminum foil. Bake until the internal temperature of the tail meat reaches 135º-140º F, about 10-12 minutes.
Can I boil frozen lobster tails?
Cooking Frozen Lobster Tails
In a large kettle, bring enough water to a boil to cover lobster tails; add 1 tbsp. salt, if desired, for each quart of water. Place thawed tails in boiling water. When water returns to a boil, reduce heat and simmer (do not boil), covered, 5 min.
How long do you boil 4 oz lobster tails?
How to Boil Four 4-Ounce Lobster Tails
- Thaw frozen lobster tails in the refrigerator for the best results. …
- Add the water, salt and seaweed to the pot and bring it to a boil.
- Add the lobster tails to the boiling water and cover the pot when it boils again.
- Boil the tails for five to eight minutes, or until the shells turn red.