Frozen Lobster Tails: A Comprehensive Guide
A comprehensive guide to selecting, preparing, and cooking frozen lobster tails to perfection, ensuring a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home. Includes information on types, thawing, cooking methods, and more.
Equipment
- Kitchen Shears or Sharp Knife
- Small Knife or Shrimp Deveiner
- Paper Towels
- Grill
- Oven
- Broiler
- Large Pot
- Steamer Basket
- Baking Dish
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Frozen Lobster Tails Look for cold-water tails
- Melted Butter or Olive Oil For brushing
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika
- Lemon Juice
- White Wine or Chicken Broth For baking
Instructions
- Thawing: Place the frozen lobster tails in the refrigerator overnight (or for at least 8 hours) to thaw gradually.
- Preparing the Tails: Rinse the thawed lobster tails under cold water to remove any ice crystals or debris.
- Butterfly the Tails (Optional): Use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to cut down the center of the hard top shell.
- Remove the Vein: If visible, remove the dark vein (the lobster's intestinal tract) running along the back of the lobster meat with a small knife or a shrimp deveiner.
- Pat Dry: Pat the lobster tails dry with paper towels before cooking.
- Seasoning: Season the lobster tails with your favorite herbs, spices, and marinades.
- Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C). Place the lobster tails shell-side down on the grill. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the meat is opaque and cooked through.
- Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the lobster tails in a baking dish and brush with melted butter or olive oil. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and cooked through.
- Broiling: Preheat your broiler to high. Place the lobster tails on a baking sheet and brush with melted butter or olive oil. Broil for 5-7 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and cooked through.
- Steaming: Fill a large pot with about an inch of water. Bring the water to a boil and place the lobster tails in a steamer basket. Cover the pot and steam for 8-10 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and cooked through.
- Boiling: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully place the lobster tails in the boiling water. Boil for 8-12 minutes, depending on size, or until the meat is opaque and cooked through.
Notes
See serving suggestions and wine pairing in article.