How Do You Grill Lobster At Home
Place your lobster halves on the grill with the shells facing down, then baste liberally with seasoned butter or olive oil. Flip those lobsters flesh side down and grill for 5-6 minutes. Step six: Flip lobsters so the shell side is down and baste again with seasoned butter or olive oil. Grill 4-5 minutes.
If You Can Use Fresh Lobster
While there are dozens of species of lobster, chances are your local market or grocery store will only have one or two types. The two most common in the tanks are Spiny Caribbean and Maine Lobsters. Spiny lobsters are a claw-less species and are caught in the warm Caribbean waters. If youre going to prepare your lobster from a frozen state, likely the tail is from a Caribbean Spiny lobster. You can identify it by their very distinct white spotted pattern.
The most sought after and succulent is the Main lobster. These lobsters hail from cold Atlantic waters. They arent typically frozen but are sold live. Their flesh is firmer and sweeter. The claw and knuckle meat is even more tender the tail.
Frozen tails are a good alternative. The tail and claws are removed immediately after catch and they are then shipped frozen so there is very little chance of bacteria build up after the lobster has died. Whole frozen lobsters are rarely sold because of the potential for bacteria. Whole live lobsters guarantee the best meal.
But if youre starting with frozen lobster because fresh are not available, be sure to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
No time to thaw overnight? Put the lobster tail in a heavy-duty ZipLoc or zipper sealed bag. Place the bag in a clean bowl and place the bowl under running cold water tap in your sink. Make sure to get the water as cold as possible before you put the bowl under it.
How To Poach Lobster Tails
Lobster tail meat poached in a butter bath will yield tender meat.
Poached Lobster Tail Recipes:
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How Long Does It Take To Grill Lobster Tails
The grilling time will vary depending upon the size of your lobster tails. I usually grill my tails for between 7 and 10 minutes, basting with the garlic butter occasionally. The lobster meat should be opaque and firm to the touch.
I like to turn my tails over so I can grill flesh side down for a few minutes to finish cooking them. The meat will get a little charred, and it adds so much flavor to the lobster meat.
The temperature of the lobster tail when it is cooked should be between 135 and 140 degrees F. I always use a Thermoworks Thermopen instant-read thermometer. It is quick and is always bang on with the temperature.
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Once your grilled lobster tails are done, you are going to want to serve them right away. The cooked lobster will not hold well in the warming drawer as the meat will continue to cook and may become rubbery.
How To Bake Lobster Tails
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How Long Does It Take To Grill A Lobster
Brush olive oil on both sides of the lobsters and set them bottom side down on the cooking grates. Grill until the shells are bright red and the protein in the juices that seep from the shells turns white and coagulates, 8 to 10 minutes for a 1-1/2-lb. lobster and 12 to 14 minutes for a 2-lb. lobster.
Where To Buy Frozen Lobster Tails For Grill
It is the main ingredient of this dish, and the freshness of the lobster tail will determine whether your grilled dish is delicious or not. You should choose establishments and shops that provide good quality lobster tails, ensuring freshness.
The tail of the lobster after processing and grilling is still fresh
One of the best sources of lobster tail for you is Fishermen’s Net. It has very good quality. The tail of the lobster after processing and grilling is still fresh, the meat is chewy and sweet. Especially it will be more delicious and more preferential price when buying in Maine lobster season.
We even sent you the best way to prepare the frozen lobster tail so that the lobster meat can retain its flavor. When you receive the frozen lobster tail it will be frozen, the first thing you have to do is thaw it. The lobster tail should be thawed in the refrigerator’s cooler. Make sure the tail of the lobster stays on the plate to avoid contaminating other foods in the refrigerator. Do not defrost outside as it can encourage the growth of harmful bacteria. Thawing the lobster tail in the refrigerator helps keep the lobster taste fresh and prevents bacteria from entering. After thawing, remove the tail and rinse with clean water and dry.
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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.
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:
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Directions Grilled Lobster Tails At Home
Time needed: 20 minutes.
If you can light a grill, you can grill lobster tails. Our simple recipe will walk you through grilling frozen lobster tails butterfly style. Be careful! You do not want to overpower the sweet, delicate flavor of the lobster meat.
Be sure your lobster tails are fully defrosted. Its best to defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Prior to starting the grill, pour a small amount of vegetable oil on a paper towel and lightly coat the grill rack . Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal or gas grill. As the grill heats, prepare lobster tails.
Set each lobster tail on a cutting board with the translucent membrane down, curve shell facing up. With kitchen shears or a heavy knife, cut through the curved shell and meat, leaving the membrane intact. Open the tail gently like a book so its hinged in the center.
Use about 1 teaspoon of olive oil for each lobster tail rub onto the cut surfaces of the lobster meat, and season to taste with salt and pepper. The olive oil keeps the lobster from drying out on the grill.
Place lobster tails on the grill, meat-side up. Grill tails with grill lid closed, until the meat is opaque, about 6-8 minutes, turning once. Be careful not to overcook!
Squeeze fresh sliced lemon half over lobster and drizzle and serve with melted unsalted butter. Try pairing grilled lobster with a nice steak or fresh shrimp!
Preparing And Thawing Frozen Lobster Tails
You can defrost frozen lobster tails overnight in the refrigerator. Alternatively, place them in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes. For larger tails, drain the water after 30 minutes and add new freshwater. Repeat the process until the flesh is flexible and no longer icy.
Whole tails should be rinsed and dried before cooking. When cutting open the shell you may notice a dark line running down the center of the flesh. Thats the digestive tract and it needs to be removed. Wash and dry after cleaning.
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How Each Cooking Method Varies
- Boiling Quickly cooks the meat in hot water, but the flavor can get diluted.
- Steaming Rapidly yields a clean flavor for those who like to customize their toppings
- Baking Gives a delicate texture due to gentle steaming at a consistent temperature in the oven.
- Broiling Lightly browns the shell and meat for more depth in flavor.
- Grilling Adds a bit of smokiness and char to the meat and shell.
What Is Medium Heat On A Grill
Medium heat has a temperature of 325-375F, which is right in the middle of the heating range. It is hot enough to brown meat and veggies, but low enough to gently cook the insides of the food. This temperature setting is meant to grill most foods like whole chickens, geese, roasts, and even turkeys.
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Steaming Lobster Tail Is Simple
If you don’t own a grill or simply aren’t in the mood to fire one up, steamed lobster tail is your best bet. This method is a snap and even comes complete with visual cues as to when the tails are done. Food52 says to place lobster tails in a steamer basket set over boiling water and watch for the shells to turn bright red and for the meat to become opaque. In some cases, that can happen in as few as four minutes but usually not more than ten. If you’re not sure, just break out your meat thermometer and check for an internal temp of 145-ish.
At that point, you can pop the lobster tails under cold running water to stop the cooking and feast! Steamed lobster tails offer up a pristine, naturally sweet lobster flavor and with a swipe of melted butter and a sprinkling of flaky sea salt, you’re officially in the lap of lobster tail luxury.
How Do You Grill Lobster Tails At Home
Before you grill your lobster tails, you need to prepare them for the grill. If you have frozen lobster tails, make sure they are thawed completely. If they are not, they will cook unevenly, and you will not be happy with the results.
To start, use a good pair of kitchen shears to cut the lobster shell. Starting at the front, cut directly down the middle of the shell toward the fan end of the tail. Using your finger loosen the meat from the inside of the split shell and pull it out of the shell. Do not remove the meat but keep it attached so the lobster meat will sit on top of the shell.
It helps if you make 2 small cuts on a 45-degree angle at the end of the tail towards the outside after you have cut the shell down the middle. This will allow the lobster meat to sit on top of the shell when you put them on the grill.
Mix your minced garlic with the melted butter, then place the lobster tails on a preheated medium-hot grill. Brush the lobster tails with the garlic butter and close the lid to allow them to cook.
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Buying And Thawing Lobster Tails
Frozen lobster tails can be from clawed or clawless lobsters. There are a couple of ways to tell which ones are being sold. Check the package or ask the fishmonger for the region the lobster was caught in. If it doesnt say, take a look at the color: Maine lobster tails are generally dark green-brown with hints of red. Spiny lobsters are lighter in color, with a range of relatively pale yellows and browns, and some have distinctive spots. Maine lobster tails are prized for their sweet flavor and are more expensive than spiny lobster tails, which dont cook up as sweet. Both are fine choices for grilling, but if I had to pick one over the other, Id go with Maine lobster tails.
Because lobsters must be cooked or frozen immediately after theyre killed, raw lobster tails are always sold frozen. Instead of removing the tails from whole fresh lobster, I find it easier to buy frozen lobster tails since theyre usually processed and flash frozen soon after theyre caught. I usually buy one6- to 8-ounce lobster tail per person, although you can always go smaller or larger depending on what else youre serving or what your store carries.
The best way to defrost lobster tails safely and evenly is to put them on a plate or baking sheet in a single layer in the refrigerator and let them thaw for about 24 hours. This keeps them at a safe temperature and thaws them more evenly than leaving them out at room-temperature or thawing them under cold running water.
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.
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How To Check If Lobster Tails Are Cooked Or Grilled
If you overcook the lobster tails, then you have ruined them. When the color of the meat turns into a white or opaque color, it means the tails are grilled or cooked well.
- To see if the lobster tail is done, you can use a knife and cut through the soft underside of the shell to the thickest part of the tail.
- If the meat appears to be in opaque or white color, it means it is ready to serve.
- If the tail meat shows some translucency, you can grill it for an additional one minute to grill it right.
- Just like steak and salmon, you can check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the tail. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check if the lobster tails are at a temperature of 135 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- At mentioned temperature, the lobster tails will be ready to serve.
- You have to keep in mind that lobster tails will continue to cook after removing them from the grill because of internal heat. Let it rest for a while before serving it.
Get The Tails Ready To Cut By Laying Them Out On A Cutting Board With The Bottoms Facing Up
Make sure you have a sharp knife. Youre almost half way to serving up the perfect lobster, so pay attention. Cut the lobster tails in half lengthwise. Take clean kitchen scissors/shears and cut the tails in half lengthwise. Add some extra flair by basting the side of the lobster tail you just removed the shell from with your melted butter baste. Dont discard the shell! Place the freshly basted lobster back into that little nesting place.
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Open The Lobster Like A Book
3. The remaining soft membrane will keep the sections intact while exposing the meat.
4. Lobster is grilled over direct medium heat. Rub the flesh with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
5. Grill flesh side down for approximately 5-7 minutes, then flip. Figure another 4-5 minutes after you flip the tail. I am using 6-8 oz. tails here.
Lobster Tail Cooking Methods:
Steaming Lobster Tails:
Steaming lobster tails is my most preferred method of cooking lobster. Steaming provides a more gentle heat and cooking method, which will result in much more tender lobster tail meat, while still cooking the tail all the way to the proper doneness. Add approximately 3-4 inches of water into your pot, and place over high heat, with a pair of kitchen shears, make a cut in the top of the lobster tail from the head end to tail end, making sure to cut only the shell and not the tender meat below.
This will aid in steam penetration, and allow for faster cooking without the risk of the lobster meat getting tough on you. Add the lobster tails in the bamboo steamer, close the lid, and steam with time limits listed above, or until meat is opaque and white in color, and using an instant read thermometer internal temperature registers approximately 140 degrees. DO NOT OVERCOOK IT!
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