How To Thaw Lobster Tails
Place your lobster tails in large bowl or container then transfer to the fridge to thaw a day before you want to cook them. Thawing lobster tails slowly in the fridge prevents the meat from sticking to the shell. As a general rule of thumb, dont keep frozen lobster in the freezer for more than three months.
Basting Grilled Lobster Tails
Finish cooking flesh side up, still over direct heat.
6. At this point, its a great idea to baste the lobster with an herb butter mixture.
7. The lobster is done when its internal temperature, checked by an instant-read thermometer, reaches 135°F.
There you have it — a seafood extravaganza!
For more tips check out my other blog post on grilling lobster tails and this great lobster recipe to help build your seafood grilling repertoire.
What Sides Should I Serve With Lobster Tails
Some popular sides that go well with lobster tails are actually more meat. Lobster goes well with steak, shrimp, or other seafood dishes like clambakes.
Check out how we do surf and turf in the north east.
If youre looking for the lobster tail to be the main dish, vegetable sides like mashed potatoes or grilled asparagus make for a great side dish and recipes are easy to find. If you want to boost your presentation, lay the lobster on a bed of lemon rice. We dont recommend grilling the rice.
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Buttery Rich And Succulent Lobster Tail On The Grill Is A Real Treat At A Fraction Of The Cost You Would Pay When Dining Out
Change it up this summer and treat your family to a special dinner that doesnt require a second mortgage to pay for it. Id never think about taking the whole family out for grilled lobster tail. However, I can pick up frozen lobster tails at my local grocery store for about $35.00 for a package of four.
Thats probably less that it would cost for one person to enjoy a great dinner in a good restaurant. I know sometimes we like eat out, and sometimes we like to eat outside!
Is Lobster Better Steamed Or Grilled
I prefer to grill lobster rather than steam it. When you steam lobster, it can get a little water logged which dilutes the flavor of the meat. Grilled lobster has a lot more flavor, and is just as easy to make as the steamed version. Another great option is to broil your lobster tails in the oven.
Once you try these grilled lobster tails, youll never want to eat this delicacy any other way! This recipe is easy enough for a busy weeknight, yet elegant enough to serve to company.
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How To Cook Frozen Lobster Tails
We think broiling is the best way to do it, but we’ll walk you through four other techniques too.
Surf and turf: dinner of steak and lobster tail. You might also be interested in these:
Fact: Homecooked lobster tails are fancy and impressive. And when it comes down to it, theyre not hard to cook if you know how to do it especially if you buy frozen lobster tails. Theyre usually slightly more expensive than buying whole live lobsters, but they save you the hassle of dealing with live, wriggling creatures. Below, we walk you through how to store, thaw and prep frozen lobster tails. As well as how to cook them a variety of ways, including broiling, steaming, boiling, baking and grilling.
How To Grill Lobster Tails
Once youve halved your lobster tails, pat the flesh dry with paper towel, brush them with a little olive oil, then season with coarse salt and cracked black pepper.
Place the lobster tails flesh-side down onto grill, and cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes. This allows the meat to grill properly without sticking to the grill plates. Flip the lobster over and brush the flesh with melted garlic and herb butter.
Cover with bbq lid or foil to help the shells turn a beautiful shade of orange from the smoke on the bbq, and grill until JUST cooked through.
Serve immediately with a little extra garlic butter, lemon wedges and fresh parsley to garnish.
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How To Butterfly A Lobster Tail:
This is a simple process that is only used with scissors. If you prefer not to butterfly your lobster tail that is great too. By butterflying your lobster tail it makes it easier to eat and also has a more elegant look when serving it.
Do You Have To Boil Lobster Tails Before Grilling
lobster tails. In order to ensure that you can make the tastiest grilled lobster tail, we recommend parboiling your tails before grilling. Drop the tails in a pot of boiling water. When the water returns to a soft boil, reduce heat, set a timer for the time listed above, and remove the tails from the water.
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How To Choose Lobster Tails
First, when choosing lobster tails, make sure that theyre frozen. Dont purchase thawed lobster tails. And keep the lobster frozen until youre ready to cook them. Once they are thawed, they need to be cooked right away.
Generally, there are two types of lobster tails available, warm water and cold water varieties.
The warm water varieties grow in the waters of Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America. They tend to grow faster and are less expensive than their cold water counterparts. Theyre readily available in most grocery stores. They do have a tendency to be less sweet and have a higher chance of getting mushy during cooking.
The cold water varieties come from North America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. They grow slower and therefore are more expensive. They tend to be less widely available in regular grocery stores. Some people, me included, think they have a slightly sweeter flavor.
Given the choice and the budget, I like the cold water varieties, however, Ive also had great grilled warm water varieties. As a matter of fact, the variety used for this recipe is a warm water variety.
When choosing either warm or cold water varieties, make sure that the flesh isnt discolored. No black or yellow spots. Also, if there is any graying walk away. This is an indication that the lobster was dead before processing. Again, dont purchase lobster tails that have been thawed.
How Long Do You Boil A 4 Oz Lobster Tail
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.
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Tips For Cooking The Grilled Lobster Tail
My only tip for cooking the grilled lobster tails is to add the butter sauce! The chive butter sauce below is one of my favorites to add on seafood. Butter makes steak, seafood, and more better.
In fact, adding sauce to anything is delicious! While the chive butter sauce is totally optional, it makes lobster tails incredibly good. Definitely make the Grilled Lobster Tails with a decent amount of butter on top!
How Long Boil 3 Oz Lobster Tails
Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a boil. Reduce heat slightly and keep water at a gentle boil stronger than a simmer, but weaker than a rolling boil. Add lobster tails, and boil until they are bright red and their meat turns white and tender. Each tail should take about 1 minute per ounce to cook.
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What To Serve With Lobster Tails
These are delicious served with grilled veggies, a light salad, or if you looking for something more surf and turfy, try a perfectly cooked steak.
About Christine
Hi! Im Christine. My passion is creating recipes that take less time in the kitchen, so that we can all spend more time enjoying life! Im a busy single mom of two, so I totally get how tough it can be. Thats why Ive been figuring things out for my own family, and thats why I want to share this knowledge with others. I now help over 2 million people a month get delicious meals onto their tables. Come along with me and see how much easier it can be!
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How To Prepare Lobster Tail
Start by choosing lobster tails that are similar in size so that they cook at the same rate. Use sharp kitchen shears to cut down the top of each tail. Place a knife into the cut you made, then cut through the lobster flesh, stopping when you hit the bottom shell. Use your hands to flatten the cut lobster tail. Place a wood or metal skewer through the lobster meat, which will keep it from curling up as it cooks. This cutting technique will allow for the lobster meat to make direct contact with the grill, which gives it more of that great smoky flavor.
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How Long To Cook Lobster Tails
Cook times for lobster tails range from 3 minutes to 30 minutes. This will vary based on the method of cooking you choose and the size of the lobster tails youre cooking. Boiling and steaming are faster processes, whereas baking and grilling take a bit longer. More detailed instructions can be found on the specific cooking method pages linked to above and at the bottom of this page. Start with the low range of these recommendations. Overcooking your lobster tails will leave them dry. Our lobster tails are precooked, so the cook times are really just to reheat them!
Thaw Your Tails Thoroughly To Avoid Meat Sticking To The Shell
If you want to avoid your tails sticking to the shell, thaw your tails 24 hours prior to cooking in a refrigerator inside a leak-proof container. Your tails are defrosting so they will leak fluid. If your tails are frozen and you are planning on cooking them today, that is not a problem. Put your lobster tails in a sealed bag and soak them in cold water for at least 30-60 minutes. Larger lobster tails will take longer to thaw. If you want to butterfly a lobster tail, thawing your tails will be critical because you will have to cut the meat, and you won’t be able to do so if the tails are not thawed all the way.
Common Misconceptions
It is common to have tomalley in the center of the tail. It appears black and sometimes green and sometimes will startle customers. Do not worry. This is a natural part of the lobster tail. It is actually the liver and is totally edible and is considered a delicacy. If you do not desire to eat this it can be rinsed off with water once the lobster is fully cooked.
The most lobster tail meat is white but it is also common to have a slight pink tint to the meat for lobsters that are preparing to shed. Once again, this is a totally natural process and is totally edible. If you want to remove the pink tint, you can rinse most of it off with warm water after you have cooked your tail.
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How To Split A Lobster Tail
In this method, the lobster tail is split completely in half, lengthways down the middle. The tail and meat will separate in two units, each facing up, each resting in its own split shell.
What You Need To Make Perfect Lobster Tail:
Everything is right in your pantry and ready to go. All you need to do is purchase your lobster! This recipe is simple to make and comes together so quickly. It takes less than 20 minutes from preparing to broiling them. I love how simple it is and yet it is decadent and beautiful on a plate. Enjoy this seafood recipe with your loved one or family this Valentines Day!
- Lobster Tails
- Parsley
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Broiling Times For Seafood:
Broiling times can vary depending on size and length of the lobster tails. For a smaller lobster tail it is best to cook them about 7 to 9 minutes. Anything over 6 ounces will takes about 7 to 10 minutes long broiling them. The one thing I always have near me when cooking any type of meat is my meat thermometer. I am very cautious on making sure I do not overcook my meat. If you are broiling a larger lobster tail you will want to adjust the oven rack down another inch so it can cook more evenly.
Is Grilling Better Than Steaming
Personally, I like grilled lobster better than steamed lobster. In terms of ease, theres no difference between the two processes.
One of the proclaimed benefits of steaming a lobster is that its difficult to overcook it that way, but it can also introduce too much water to the meat. When you grill the lobster, its still quick and easy, and all of the flavors of the meat just shine. Plus the texture comes out perfect every time!
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How To Season Lobster For Grilling
Were keeping the seasoning really simple
- Before grilling: Brush the lobster tails with olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper.
- While grilling: Brush with the seasoned garlic butter after flipping. To make it, whisk together melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
How To Boil Lobster Tails
One of the easiest ways to cook lobster tails is to boil them.
Whole lobster tails or fan-cut lobster tails work best for boiling lobster tails.
For a simple boil cook, place them in boiling water ensuring that the whole tail is covered and then wait until the meat is bright white and shells turn red. If the tail is big, it is recommended to boil them to get a more even cook. Other applications also include par-boil or blanch tails and finish cooking on the grill or in the oven.
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Buttery Grilled Lobster Tail
Lobster is such a treat, but that doesnt mean you need to go to a fancy restaurant to enjoy it! You can experience restaurant-quality lobster in your home, prepared with your own two hands. Its EASY!
It can be just a tad bit tricky to properly cook a whole lobster, though, so today were keeping it simple with quick and easy Grilled Lobster Tails. No snapping claws, no broken rubber bands, no worries!
I cant even begin to explain to you guys how much I love these buttery lobster tails. They are SO GOOD. Fresh lobster tails are slathered in a garlic and lemon butter sauce and then grilled until tender and juicy. The lobster meat will literally melt in your mouth by the time youre done thats how tender were talking!
Lobster can be enjoyed any time of year, but its especially great in the summertime. Theres nothing like that smoky taste that comes from the grill and combines with all the flavorful herbs and butter is your mouth watering? Just me!?!
Anyway, the bottom line is this: Its time to treat yourself to a delicious seafood dinner you deserve it!
How Do You Grill Frozen Lobster Tails
Thaw the frozen lobster tails in the refrigerator. When you are ready to grill, preheat a grill to medium heat. Grill the lobster, cut side down for 5 minutes, until the shells are bright pinkish-red. Flip the tails and grill for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the lobster is opaque and reads 140 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
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How To Broil Lobster Tails
Be careful when broiling lobster tails. This cooking method is a little trickier than other methods since the high heat of the broiler can dry out your tails in no time. Another option is to bake tails and finish them in the broiler for just a couple minutes to get a golden brown finish.
Broiled Lobster Tails Recipes:
