If you are a lobster aficionado, surely you have tried many different types of lobster recipes. However, the question of today’s article is how to cook lobster tail perfectly for beginners. Most people probably don’t know the answer yet, right? Let’s get started with Fishermen’s Net to find the answer in the below article!
How To Buy And Preserve Lobster?
The best lobster meal should start with purchasing the highest quality ingredients. The process of preserving lobster is also vital. One of the first tips on buying lobster that you should know is to choose cold water ones and in lobster season. Additionally, you ought to avoid selecting tails that are soaked in sodium tripolyphosphate. Now, let’s dig deeper into learning how to buy and preserve lobster.
Where To Buy Lobster Tails?
People usually buy lobster at grocery or seafood stores. Nevertheless, Fishermen’s Net suggests that you should pick up lobster at online seafood markets. The reason for this is because these markets not only provide customers with fresh seafood everyday but also are available anytime you need. Moreover, you can set the day you want it will be delivered to your front door.
How To Preserve Lobster Tails?
It is certain that everyone wants to enjoy all the sweet scent of the lobster. However, not everyone knows how to help lobsters stay fresh. Therefore, Fishermen’s Net will introduce you to the best way to preserve lobster tails. Commonly, you should use the refrigerator to store it. It will be better if lower the temperature to at least 0oF. The lower the storage temperature is, the better the lobster meat quality will be maintained.
How To Thaw Lobster Tails?
If you want to enjoy the full flavor of a lobster, you ought to thaw it before cooking. There are 2 ways for you to thaw a lobster tail: use the fridge or soak in cold water.
First of all, you can thaw frozen lobster tails overnight in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. Alternatively, use the cold water to defrost the lobster tail in 30 minutes if you are in a hurry. For larger tails, you should replace the water after 30 minutes. This step will help your lobster meat from sticking to the shell.
Butterfly Lobster Tails
This is a simple process to prepare lobster tails that you can do with a knife or a shear. By butterfly, your lobster tail will be easier to eat (view more How to eat lobster tail) and it will have a more elegant look when serving. Follow the below instruction to butterfly your lobster:
- With sharp kitchen shears or knives, cut the shell down the middle from the back to the tail.
- Carefully use your finger to pull apart the middle of the incision to split the shell. Then, place your finger underneath the lobster meat.
- Now, you need to slowly and carefully pull up the meat in one piece, you should let the meat still attached at the bottom of the tail.
- Once the meat is taken out of the shell, close it around the bottom of the meat.
- Last but not least, place the butterflied lobster tail onto the lined baking sheet.
Which Ingredients Do You Need?
Cooking method |
Needed Ingredients |
Cook lobster tail boil |
4 lobster tails |
2 quarts water |
|
2 tsps kosher salt |
|
Cook lobster tail steam |
4 lobster tails |
Baking lobster tail |
4 lobster tails |
½ cup water of white wine |
|
2 tbsps unsalted butter |
|
Kosher salt |
|
Black pepper |
|
Paprika (optional) |
|
Broiling lobster tail |
4 lobster tails |
2 tbsps unsalted butter |
|
Kosher salt |
|
Black pepper |
|
Paprika |
|
Grilling lobster tail |
4 lobster tails |
2 tbsps unsalted butter |
|
Kosher salt |
|
Black pepper |
|
Paprika |
Or to make it simpler, when broiled or grilled, even steamed, spread melted butter on top, sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika or whatever other seasoning you want to use. When boiled, you can add a little seasoning like salt, or use our butter poached lobster recipe.
The Difference Of Each Cooking Method
Boiling - Cook meat quickly in hot water, but the flavor can be diluted.
Steaming - Quickly creates a clean taste for those who like to customize their toppings.
Bake - Creates a delicate texture by gently steaming at the right temperature in the oven.
Stew - Lightly brown the skins and meat for a richer flavor.
Broil - Gives off a nice charred caramelized flavor. The smokiness is reduced but you can do it indoors with little to no need for ventilation.
Grill - Add some smoke and charcoal to the meat and shell.
Ways Of Cooking Lobster Tails
After you are ready with all the ingredients, now we will begin let you know how to cook lobster tail at home!
- Servings: 4 servings
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Course: Entree
- Cuisine: American
Boiled lobster tail
To enjoy the full flavor of the lobster tails, boiling lobster is the best recipe for you. All you need to prepare is a large pot filled with water and the most essential ingredients - LOBSTER. Once you are ready, bring the water to boil, then carefully put the tails into the pot. Cook until the tail meat translucent and the shell turns to red, all of this about 3 to 13 minutes when boiled.
Steamed lobster tail
If you are a lobster lover, definitely, you will want to taste the sweetness of the lobster! Therefore, you should try to steam your lobster tail for dinner. You need to fill the pot with water and place the steamer basket in. Now, bring water to boil, add the lobster tails and cover the pot with the lid. Cook until the flesh is firm, pinkish-white and the shell turns red. This will take about 45 - 60 seconds per oz. Then, take the lobster tails out and add desired seasonings.
Baked lobster tail
You wanna have a new experience when eating lobster? Try to bake your lobster tails! First, preheat the oven to 425oF. Use the brush to sweep the melted butter over the tails, then season it with lobster spices such as salt, pepper and paprika for the flavor explosion. After that put the lobster tails in a baking dish, and pour water or wine to cover the bottom of the pan (usually ½ cup). Wait until the meat firm and change to pinkish-white, this will take about 1 - 2 minutes per oz.
Broiled lobster tail
This recipe is used for your special dinner on some occasions. Broil the lobster tail and it will deliver magic to your dish! You need to prepare your lobster tails, some ingredients and foil. Sweep the butter over the lobster meat with the brush, and season it with salt, pepper and paprika. Then, foil-lined over the baking sheet and place the tails. Set the oven rack higher, about 10 inches from the broiler. Broil the meat until its shell changes to red, the meat becomes firm and pinkish-white. This recipe will take you from 5 to 8 minutes and it will depend on the size of the lobster. However, notice that check the oven frequently to make sure the lobster is not overcooked.
Grilled lobster tail
This recipe is most commonly used when processing lobsters, because the grill can give off the most featured flavor of a lobster. Before grill the lobster tails, preheat the grill over medium heat for 15 minutes, from 350 to 400oF. Then brush it with oil.
Now, you need to prepare your lobster meal! Pour melted butter over it and season with salt, pepper and paprika. If you want to keep the shell, turn the meat side down. Otherwise, cut the meat in half, and grill until it is lightly browned. This will take 4 - 5 minutes. After that flip it and cook until the flesh becomes pinkish-white.
Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Without lemon garlic butter sauce, lobster tails lose an extremely essential flavor. This sauce can completely combine with most recipes or become the signature dipping sauce for a lobster dish. Fishermen’s Net will guide you on how to make this sauce. First of all, melt the butter in the microwave or use the small pot on medium-low heat. After it melted, toss it with garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and lemonade. Then, you can pour it over the lobster tails or serve it as a side dish. View more at What to serve with lobster tails to know more side dishes now.
View more products from Fishermen’s Net
How to know lobster tails are cooked?
To check if the lobster tail is cooked, use a knife to make an incision in the lower part, which has a softer shell, straight into the meat. If you see completely white flesh with no translucent color, they are ready.
Tips For The Best Cooked Lobster Tails
- Use the meat thermometer to try your best not to overcook the lobster tails
- You should not make the lobster tails ahead of time! Because it is best to taste the lobster right when it is done. Moreover, the lobster will be tougher when you reheat it. Take time to find out How to reheat lobster to taste as good as freshly cooked?
- When you butterfly a lobster, maybe you will cut through the meat. Don’t worry, it will be fine! Sometimes this can help you to ensure the meat is cooked. However, be careful not to cut through the bottom shell!
- When broiling or whenever use the oven, move the oven rack down to the middle if you cook a large or oversize lobster tail.
- Serve the lobster tail with lemon wedges and fresh parsley for garnishing the lobster tails.
The Most Popular Lobster Tails Recipe
Now, you know all about how to cook the perfect lobster tail, but you still consider which recipe should be your choice. Let’s learn the best lobster recipe - Butter Garlic Herb Broiled Lobster! When you need an elegant dinner that comes together quickly and easily, this will be the best choice. It will take less than 20 minutes from preparing to broiling the tails.
Needed Ingredients
- Lobster tails
- Salt and pepper
- Butter
- Garlic cloves
- Paprika
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Cilantro
Step-by-step To Cook Butter Garlic Herb Broiled Lobster
Step 1: Prepare butter garlic herb to brush over the lobster meat. Melt the butter and toss with garlic, paprika, thyme, rosemary, and parsley. Prepare it with a small bowl to easily sweep on the meat. Remember to mince herb and garlic before tossing.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to broil (500oF). Prepare your lobster tail, use the shears or knife to butterfly it. Then, season the meat with salt and pepper, and set on the baking sheet.
Step 3: Broil the lobster for about 8 - 10 minutes or until the meat becomes opaque and lightly brown on top. Serve your dish with melted butter as a side dish, or just pour it over the tail.
Today’s blog has introduced to you how to cook lobster tails perfectly for beginners. Fishermen’s Net hopes this will provide useful information to help you have a perfect lobster dinner.
Visit our blog for more useful tips related to the lobster. Feel free to contact us via the below contact information if you have any further questions or requests.
- Website: www.mualobster.com
- Address: 849 Forest Ave, Portland, ME 04103.
- Tel: +1 (207) 772-3565.