Recipes|Featured Main

How to Thaw and Cook Lobster Tails

How to Thaw and Cook Lobster Tails

Difficulty Level: Intermediate
  • Prep Time:
    1 Hr 30 Min
  • Cook Time:
    PT1H40M
    10 Minutes
  • Yield:
    1 per person
Lobster tails might LOOK scary but are actually easy to prepare. They're decadent and impressive. Let's make tonight lobster night!
Ingredients
  • Lobster tails
  • Butter
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Paprika
  • Lemon wedges for serving
  • Extra melted butter or sauce of choice, optional
  • Lobster tails
  • Butter
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Paprika
  • Lemon wedges for serving
  • Extra melted butter or sauce of choice, optional

Lobster tails might LOOK scary but are actually easy to prepare. They're decadent and impressive. Let's make tonight lobster night!

Preparation
STEP 1

Thaw lobster tails by placing in refrigerator overnight; or, to thaw same-day, place in a sealed plastic bag and submerge in cold water. Change water every 15 minutes for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until fully thawed.

STEP 2

Place oven rack in top third of oven. Heat broiler to high. Rinse lobster tails and pat dry with paper towel.

STEP 3

Using shears, cut shell down the back to expose meat. Gently pull the shell apart and loosen the meat but leave it in the shell. Dot the tail with about 1 tablespoon butter and season with salt, pepper and paprika.

STEP 4

Broil 7-9 minutes for smaller tails, or up to 15 minutes for large tails. Lobster is done when the meat is opaque and is tender when poked with a fork. Serve with fresh lemon wedges and melted butter or sauce of choice.

Options

Lobster is delicious served with melted butter, garlic herb butter, hollandaise, or beurre blanc. You can use cooked chopped lobster meat in any number of uses such as in mac and cheese or fettucine, in chowder or eggs benedict.

Or make everyone's favorite- lobster rolls! Simply mix with mayo, celery, chives, lemon juice and other seasoning as desired then place in a soft bun with lettuce and enjoy.

Sign up for our weekly featured recipe