How to Cook Lobster Tails (7 Ways)

Who doesn’t love to eat lobster tails? In this recipe we are going to show you 7 ways to make lobster tails. We’ll cover all the benefits of each way and step-by-step instructions. They are so easy to make, delicious to eat and they only take a few minutes from the refrigerator to your plate.

After we share with you how to make lobster tails 7 different ways, then you can decide which ways are your favorites. I have my favorite way to cook these yummy seafood treats, which I will let you know later on. 

Some of the ways to prepare lobster tails are by boiling, steaming, grilling, baking, broiling, frying, and poaching. We will also give you tips that we have learned to make your lobster dinner successful.

7 Ways to Make Lobster Tails

Boiled – This seems to be the way that most people think about when they consider making lobster. We live in New England and a good old-fashioned seafood boil is common. The lobster gets completely submerged in boiling water to cook.

Steamed – This is a very easy and simple way of cooking lobsters and lobster tails. Steaming them in a steamer basket where the water is shallow and is below the level of the basket.

Grilled – You may think of this in the Summer when we have nice weather and cook outside a lot. Grilling lobster takes the heat out of the kitchen so that your kitchen does not get heated up.

Baked – This is a way to be able to brush some yummy butter and some spices on your lobster tails.

Broiled – Butter and spices are also a nice feature with broiled lobster tails, and baked and broiled are very similar.

Pan-Fried/Seared – This is a quick and easy way to make lobster tails on the stove and if you just feel like making one or two they will fit in any size frying pan that you have in your kitchen. Who wouldn’t like the yummy buttery fried flavor?

Poached – This was a new one for me, but what I learned is that simmering the lobster tails in butter is so delicious.

The BEST Way to Cook Lobster Tails

Cooking lobster tails is not hard at all, we will show you several ways and what we feel is the best. It is a hard choice to pick just one way because they each have their time and place.

My favorite way is to steam them because it’s easy and great for dipping in butter after. However, there is really no bad way to cook lobster tails, just preference.

Is it Better to Steam or Boil Lobster Tails?

In most cases I prefer steamed lobster tails so that I can dip the meat in butter if I want to or eat it plain if I prefer. It’s also one of the easiest ways to cook it.

My husband and I had always cooked whole lobsters and for years we boiled them because that’s what we thought we were supposed to do. We are from New England and that’s how everyone cooks lobster. 

However, someone told us that we could steam lobsters, which would take a few minutes longer to cook but that it was well worth it because the lobster meat comes out more tender when steamed than when boiled. 

So we have transferred that thinking of steaming into cooking lobster tails and it has the same results. It’s a better way to cook lobster tails and they come out more tender too.  

Also, when you steam a lobster, as long as you don’t cook it too long, you won’t have any trouble getting the shell separated from the meat. 

Boiling is also a sure way to make sure that the meat does not stick to the shell because it is totally submerged in moving water while it is cooking. However, one word of caution is to make sure not to boil them for too long or else they will become dry or rubbery.

Is Lobster Better Steamed or Grilled?

To answer a question like this, it is, first of all, a matter of opinion or what the circumstances are.

• What time of year is it? Climate?
• How many people are you cooking lobster for?
• How many tails can you fit on the grill?
• Do you prefer a stand-alone lobster taste or do you prefer that charred/ grill taste?

I personally prefer steamed lobster tails, even though they are both delicious ways of cooking.

What Ingredients are in This Recipe

• Lobster Tails – You can use any type of lobster tails and any size, but being from New England we feel that the best lobster tails come from Maine.
• Butter – Lobster and butter seem to go hand in hand with each other, either in the cooking process or with drawn butter to dip the luscious meat in while eating it.
• Old Bay – This is a famous spice used in a lot of seafood, including this lobster tail recipe.
• Pepper – Black pepper is a nice compliment to give the lobster tails a slight kick.
• Garlic Powder – This is a definite spice to pair with buttery lobster.
• Parsley – A great garnish to dress up the appearance of the lobster tails.

Fresh Lobster Tails

I come from the school of thought that fresh is always better than frozen, whether it’s meat, veggies, and in this case lobster tails, so whenever possible, use fresh. 

That’s not to say that frozen lobster tails are not also very good, after all, it is lobster that we are talking about here. So if you can’t find it fresh then please feel free to get frozen or previously frozen, which will be what you probably will find most often. 

Most seafood that we get has either been previously frozen or is still frozen, especially if you don’t live close to the shore where you will find fresh more readily.

Where to Get them?

Maybe up to now, you have only had lobster tails at a restaurant. However, now we will show you how to cook lobster tails at home. So it only makes sense that we need to tell you where to buy them.

• Every big grocery store should have lobster tails, either fresh or frozen.
• Big food clubs like Costco or Sam’s club for instance also sell seafood. In fact, Costco is where I last bought some frozen tails at a pretty good price.
• If you live in an area that has seafood markets, you can also find them there, of course. 
• Sometimes you can get some lobster tails in a reputable seafood truck that comes around once in a while with a truck full of frozen seafood and lobster tails is one thing you can get.
• You can also buy lobster tails online if you can not find them in your area, but they will obviously cost more money to get these yummy things sent to your home.

Picking Out Good Lobster Tails

If you have never bought lobster before, here is what you have to look for before learning how to prepare lobster tails.

Your lobster should be from cold water, which in our country most of our yummy lobsters come from the state of Maine. Warm water lobsters are not as large and do not taste as good as the ones from Maine. 

You will want to make sure that when you buy lobster tails to make sure that it is pure lobster meat and that nothing has been injected into them.

What Color Should Raw Lobster Tail Be?

The natural color of a lobster, in general, is dark brownish on the outside and a grayish color on the inside. Don’t look for red lobster tails, you won’t find them because they don’t turn red until you cook them.

How Do You Know When Lobster Tail is Bad?

The best way to know if your lobster tail is bad is by the smell and sight. 

If the lobster is spoiled it will have an unpleasant, sour, ammonia smell and can also have a slimy, soft cottage cheese consistency. In that case, just throw them out because it is bad and would make you really sick if you ate them.

Frozen Lobster Tails

Depending on where you live will determine on whether or not you can get fresh or frozen lobster tails. Buying frozen tails is the most common way when you go to a grocery store warehouse-like Costco.

When you order them online and have them shipped to you they are also mostly frozen too.

Are Frozen Lobster Tails Good?

Frozen lobster tails are good to use, maybe even preferable since most people can’t tell the difference. It’s also nice to know that when you thaw them out they are fresh. You just have to thaw them out, season them up and then cook them the same way you would if they were fresh. 

However, fresh lobster tails are even tastier.  When you can go down to the docks and purchase lobster tails from the fishermen who just caught them that day, it only makes sense that they would be the best!

What is the Best Way to Cook Frozen Lobster Tails

How you cook lobster tails is a personal preference and it doesn’t matter if they are frozen or not. I think that steaming or broiling them is the best all-around way to do it.

Broiling them is easy, quick, and very tasty with the spiced butter brushed all over it. It is  a popular way to eat the tails in a restaurant so why not learn how to make lobster tails this way?

How to Thaw Lobster Tails Quickly

When you have frozen lobster tails you need to thaw them out because they will not cook properly if they are frozen, so let me show you what are the best ways to do it. 

In the fridge: Take your lobster tails out of the freezer and put them into the refrigerator overnight or 24 hours prior to cooking. This way they will thaw out slowly, and safely. Check them about 1-2 hours before you are ready to cook them to make sure they are ready to cook.

In cold water: If you are in a hurry to thaw out the lobster tails, place them in a plastic bag so that you can soak them in the cold water for 30-60 minutes. Or you could rinse them under cold water too.

How Long is Thawed Lobster Tail Good For?

When properly stored in the refrigerator, thawed lobster tail is good for about 3-5 days.

We just bought some lobster tails at Costco and even though they were previously frozen, they have a use by date of 5 days after they were purchased which gives extra time to cook them.

Lobster Tail Size

We all love lobster and our thinking may be that “the bigger the tail the better.” However, this is not the case because if your lobster tail is too big it will tend to be a lot tougher than the smaller ones. 

If the tails are smaller the meat will be more tender and succulent. It’s better to eat more small ones than one large one.

How Many Lobster Tails Per Person?

When we cook lobster tails I usually figure around 2 per person, per adult. If they are big eaters then figure on some extra, and if they are kids then just figure 1 each.

Preparing & Cutting Lobster Tails

Before you can cook your lobster tail, you need to learn the steps involved in preparing them. We will explain everything to know about washing, cutting, and removing the vein from the tail.

Do You Wash Lobster Before Cooking?

Before lobsters are even sold they are usually cleaned, so when we buy them there is not much needed on your part.

However, sometimes when we make our own lobster tails they may need a little rinsing off because when pulling it apart and cleaning out the digestive tract they may be messy.

How Do You Cut Open a Lobster Tail?

The first step to learn in any lobster tail recipe is how to cut it open. It is not very hard to do, but you may be a little nervous for the first time because you have never done it before. I will try to put it in simple to understand instructions to make it easy for you.

1. With a pair of kitchen scissors, cut along the top of the shell lengthwise from the open part to the fin. It is ok to cut into the meat but do not cut all the way through to the bottom part of the shell. 
2. Use your fingers to loosen the meat, keeping it attached at the fin end and pull it out halfway, resting it on top of the shell. That’s how simple it is.

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How Do You Remove the Vein from a Lobster Tail?

1. Hold the lobster tail in one hand, flip it upside down and at the bottom of the tail is the annal cavity.
2. Insert a deveining tool inside, push it in and twist a couple of times.
3. As you pull it out the whole vein section will come out in one piece.

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Do Lobster Tails Have Poop?

Yes, lobster tails have poop, and it is contained in the vein where the tail meets the body. You remove the poop when removing the vein, which was in the preceding answered question.

How to Make Boiled Lobster Tails

Here we are going to go through all the easy steps involved in making boiled lobster tails.

Why Do It? 

• It is easy to do
• It is just simple, plain lobster without any seasonings, which is good for adding to salads or other dishes.
• If you can’t eat butter, boiling is one of the ways to make lobster tails plain.

How to Do It:

For boiled lobster, we are going to leave it whole, no cutting or butterflying it.

1. Get a large pot and fill it ⅔ full. Salt the water and boil.
2. When the water is boiling lower your lobster tails in the pot, one at a time, using a pair of tongs or a large slotted spoon so that you do not get burned.
3. Boil them according to the chart below, which you will see depends on how many are in the water at the same time and how big or small they are. Set your timer.
4. Take them out of the water and cut the shell off. Serve with drawn butter for dipping.

Lobster Tail Boiling Times:

Number of Tails	Tail Size	Approx. Cooking Times
2-6	3-6 oz	3-5 min
2-6	6-7 oz	5-6 min
2-6	8-10 oz	6-8 min

TIPS: 

• Do not overcrowd the pot with too many lobsters in the pot. They will not cook as evenly.
• Do not overcook the boiled lobsters. You do not want the meat to be rubbery.

How to Make Steamed Lobster Tails

Now we will show you the steps on how to make steamed lobster tails.

Why Do It? 

• The main reason that we like to steam the lobsters instead of boiling them is that We feel they come out a little more tender.
• It’s a very easy and simple way to cook lobster.
• After they are done cooking, you can melt some butter and dip each bite into it, but you don’t have to have butter either because they are good just the way they are.

How to Do It:

1. Get a large pot and make sure that it has a lid. Place a steamer basket in the bottom of the pot.
2. Put about 2 inches of water in the pan, cover it and bring to a boil.
3. Once the water is boiling it’s time to add the lobster tails, with the tongs, and cover again.
4. Steam the lobsters according to the chart below, depending on size and quantity.
5. Once they are done remove them from the pot with your tongs and serve.

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Lobster Tail Steaming Times:

Number of Tails	Tail Size	Approx. Cooking Times
2-6	3-6 oz	4-6 min
2-6	6-7 oz	6-8 min
2-6	8-10 oz	9-11 min

TIP: If you do not have a steamer basket that fits into the pot that you will be using, go to the store and buy yourself one. It will make your steaming job easier and when they are done you can just lift the steamer basket, lobster, and all.

How to Bake Lobster Tails in the Oven

Let’s show you step-by-step instructions on how to make lobster tails in the oven.

Why Do It?

• When you bake lobsters in the oven, this is where you get into flavoring the lobster with other things such as some spices and lots of butter. So if you are looking for a more fancy way to cook the lobster tails this is a good way.
• You can cook 2 at a time or you can cook a whole bunch at once on a large cookie sheet.

How to Do It:

1. The first thing to do to bake your lobster tail is to split it lengthwise with scissors and then cut along the shell’s edge to loosen the cartilage and throw it away.
2. Put the lobster tails on a baking sheet in the shell.
3. Brush some melted butter over the lobster meat. Sprinkle the tails with spices of your choice such as garlic powder, pepper, paprika or old bay.
4. Bake the tails at 425 degrees, following the chart for baking times. Take them out of the oven when the thermometer reaches 145 degrees.
5. When they are done remove them from the oven and either brush with more butter or serve with a small dish of drawn butter for dipping.

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Lobster Tail Baking Times:

Number of Tails	Tail Size	Approx. Cooking Times
2-6	3-6 oz	8-11 min
2-6	6-7 oz	10-12 min
2-6	8-10 oz	12-15 min

TIP: Just use a small amount of spices so that you do not overpower the delicious lobster flavor.

Do I Have to Cover It with Foil?
You do not want to cover the lobster tails with foil or else they will steam instead of bake. But you could line the baking sheet with foil for an easier clean-up.

How to Make Grilled Lobster Tails

On a nice summer day, you can try to use these step-by-step instructions on how to make lobster tails on the grill.

Why Do It?

• The best thing about cooking anything on the grill is that in the heat of the summer, it doesn’t heat up my kitchen. 
• My son-in-law does the cooking on the grill at our house so it frees me up to cook something else while he is manning the grill.

How to Do It:

1. For a perfectly cooked lobster tail on the grill, cut them down the middle lengthwise to butterfly them open.
2. Next brush all sides of the tail with butter or olive oil, along with some spices, and put them on the grill with the shell side down on the grill.
3. Grill them until the shells are bright red and the meat looks white instead of clear. This should take about 8 minutes, but time will vary too depending on the size. Use a thermometer and they will be done when the temperature reaches 145 degrees.
4. Remove the tails from the grill and put them on a baking tray or platter and allow them to cool for a few minutes because they will be very hot.
5. Serve with drawn butter.

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Lobster Tail Grilling Times:

Most sized lobster tails are done cooking around the same amount of time when you cook them on the grill.

Number of Tails	Tail Size	Approx. Cooking Times
2-6	4-6 oz	5-6 min
2-6	8 oz	7-8 min
2-4	12 oz	10 min

TIP:  Make sure to use oven mitts and long tongs while cooking and removing the lobster tails from the grill.

Do You Boil Lobster Tails Before Grilling?
There is no need to cook your lobster tails before grilling them. They will cook just fine by grilling them when they are raw.

How Do You Know When Lobsters are Done on the Grill?
When you cook the lobster tails on the grill you will know when they are done cooking by looking at the meat. If the clear and jiggly meat is firm and white they are done. It takes about 8 minutes to be done but keep an eye on them.

Can You Grill Lobster Tails Out of the Shell?
The lobster tails are delicate so it’s better to leave the shells on them. That way they won’t stick to the grill or fall apart. The shell helps to protect them from the intense heat from the grill while at the same time cooking them to perfection.

How to Make Broiled Lobster Tails

Here are the step-by-step instructions to make lobster tails under the broiler.

Why Do It?

• Broiling your lobster tails is an elegant look and flavor. This is how many restaurants make them if you ask for lobster tails. What a delicacy!
• By pulling the lobster meat out of the shell and placing it on top, the entire meat can be covered with spices and butter instead of just some of it.

How to Do It:

1. First, you need to take a pair of kitchen scissors and split the lobster tail on the hard side of the shell and then pull the meat up on top of the shell at the same time making sure to leave a little bit of it attached to the shell. The shell will act as a stand for the meat.
2. Lay the lobster tails on a baking tray. Next, brush on the melted butter and sprinkle your desired spices on top.
3. Turn on the broiler on high but do not put the rack too close to the top otherwise you will have lobster tails burnt on the outside and still raw on the inside.
4. Broil the lobster for 5-10 minutes until they are lightly browned, or until the thermometer reaches 145 degrees.
5. After they come out of the broiler then brush them again with more butter or serve with drawn butter.

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Lobster Tail Broiling Times:

Number of Tails	Tail Size	Approx. Cooking Times
2-6	3-4 oz	6-8 min
2-6	6 oz	7-8 min
3-4	7-9 oz	10 min

TIP: Make sure not to put the oven rack too close to the top or else your lobster tails will burn.

How to Make Pan-Fried Lobster Tails

It is so easy to make pan-fried lobster tails, and here are the step-by-step instructions.

Why Do It? 

• Pan-frying is a quick way to cook lobster tails.
• It doesn’t heat up the kitchen like baking or broiling.

How to Do It 

1. Get a frying pan large enough to hold at least 2 lobster tails with the shells still on.
2. Split the lobster tails down the center lengthwise and pull out the meat so that it rests on top of the shell, but leaving it attached on the tip by the fins.
3. Now brush the tails with butter flavored with your desired spices.
4. Set the stove burner for medium-high heat and add a little butter or oil to the pan. When it is heated add the lobster tails and place them on their sides. 
5. Rotate them with your tongs from side to side for about 5 minutes, or until the meat looks white.
6. Remove from the pan and serve with some drawn butter.

Lobster Tail Searing Times:

Number of Tails	Tail Size	Approx. Cooking Times
2-6	4-6 oz	5-6 min
2-6	8 oz	7-8 min
2-4	10 oz	10 min

Tip: Just be sure not to burn the lobster tails while they are searing because you want them to cook evenly from the outside to the inside.

How to Make Poached Lobster Tails

Step-by-step instructions for you to make poached lobster tails.

Why Do It? 

• Poaching is an easy way to make lobsters tender and juicy without boiling or steaming them.
• You can poach 1 tail at a time or many in the same pan.
• It is a very quick way of cooking the lobster tails.

How to Do It

Butter Poached – This type of poaching is very tasty. It is done with only a little water added to a lot of creamy butter!

1. Split the shells down the middle lengthwise and remove the meat completely for the shell.        
2. In a non-stick frying pan place about 3-4 tablespoons of water and simmer over medium heat.
3. Add 2 sticks of butter, 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time. Do not boil. Keep the temperature of the butter to 160-175 degrees, do not exceed 180.
4. Add the lobster tails and cook for 5-7 minutes while turning them several times, while making sure not to boil them. The poached lobster tails should have an internal temp of 140-145 degrees.

Tip: There is no need for drawn butter because they will have a very yummy butter taste already. Just make sure not to boil or else the butter will boil and separate

Lobster Tail Poaching Times:

Number of Tails	Tail Size	Approx. Cooking Times
2-6	4-6 oz	5-6 min
2-6	8 oz	7-8 min
2-4	10 oz	10 min

How to Tell When Lobster Tails are Cooked?

No matter which way we decide to cook our lobster tails, one thing that we need to do is to know when to take them out of the oven or off the grill so that we do not overcook these delicacies. 

The only true way to be sure when they are done cooking is to use a thermometer.

Is Undercooked Lobster Dangerous?

By eating undercooked lobster you risk the chance of ingesting bacteria that can be dangerous. This can cause flu-like symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and vomiting, which would certainly be enough to ruin your great lobster dinner. 

So be sure to cook your lobster tails until the thermometer reaches 145 degrees internally in order to kill any bacteria, and to be sure that they are cooked to perfection.

FAQs & Best Tips

We will now answer some commonly asked questions and also share with you some helpful tips to assure that you enjoy your home-cooked lobster tails.

• When you are cutting the shell to pull up the meat for cooking, it’s ok if you also cut through the meat a little. The important thing is to make sure to cut through the shell.
• Crushed garlic will be more flavorful than minced when mixed with your butter.
• In order to keep your lobster tail from curling up, stick a large toothpick or skewer through it.
• Use a thermometer and cook your lobster to only 145 degrees.
• If you are broiling the lobster tails, move the rack down so that you do burn them by being too close to the broiler.
• You can either add the spices to the melted butter or brush on the butter and then sprinkle on the spices.

How to Keep Lobster Tails from Curling

Sometimes when you are cooking lobster, the tail will curl up, which will make it harder to cook evenly and also not give you the “perfectly-cooked lobster look” that you are going for especially if you are serving these for guests or a special occasion.

It is such an easy fix. Just insert a long grilling toothpick or skewer lengthwise into the lobster tail, which will keep it from curling. Once the tail is cooked then you can easily remove the skewer and serve.

How Do You Cook Lobster So It’s Tender?

How to prepare Lobster tails so that they are tender is an easy thing to do. Most often the reason that meat or fish can come out tough is that they are overcooked. Especially when we have never made something before it is easy to leave it in longer to cook out of fear that it will be raw.

The best temperature to cook tender lobster tails is 145 degrees, which you will not know unless you use a thermometer. If you cook the tails to the correct temperature then you will be assured of eating tender, succulent lobster meat, every time!

Why Was My Lobster Tail Mushy?

When preparing lobster tails, we certainly want them to come out the best way possible and that means not mushy. Here’s why:

• Sometimes the tails can become mushy as a result of freezing, thawing and then refreezing again.
• Another opinion is that once in a while when lobsters die, they release an enzyme which is a defense mechanism. This happens to shrimp sometimes too, as the body is decomposing. That’s why when we buy shrimp their heads are already cut off to avoid this situation.

How to Cook Lobster without a Fishy Smell?

If you are not too crazy about your kitchen smelling so fishy from cooking the lobster tails, a trick that I learned from someone is to place one or two lemon wedges underneath the tail before baking or broiling it in the oven. It helps to freshen the air with a lemon scent.

How to Make Lobster Tails Look Bigger

When you put your lobster tails out on a plate or platter after they are done cooking, they may seem a little small.

If you want them to look a bit larger and have a fuller appearance, then just prop them up by putting some lemon wedges underneath the tails.

Biggest Mistakes When Cooking Lobster

If you want to learn the best way to cook lobster tails, then we also need to learn the mistakes people make when cooking lobster.

• Buying the biggest lobster – The bigger the lobster the tougher the meat is, whereas the small ones are more tender and sweeter.
• Undercooking – Is not edible, If the lobster tail is not cooked enough you can get sick from eating raw seafood. always use a thermometer to be sure that your lobster tail is cooked.
• Overcooking – Can make your lobster meat tough.
• Throwing out the shells – If you have a whole lobster but are only eating the tails, then there is still meat left on the lobster. There are claws and legs and some other meat inside the body, so pick them apart and have another feast or you can make some lobster bisque soup.
• Using too many spices or other ingredients – Can overpower the taste of the lobster. You want to put some butter and spices on the top but not if you won’t ever taste the succulent flavor of the lobster meat.

What Goes with Lobster Tail?

Lobster goes with so many complimentary side dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

• Roasted Brussel Sprouts
• Roasted Broccoli
• Creamed Spinach
• Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
• Keto Onion Rings
• Coleslaw
• Corn on the Cob
• Mac and Cheese
• Green Salad
• Cauliflower Rice
• Fries, Veggie Fries, or Jicama Fries
• Crusty Rolls or Garlic Bread
• Pasta Salad
• Potato Salad

Can I Make Lobster Tails Ahead?

Lobster tails are the best when eaten right away after they are cooked because they are hot and are at their juiciest texture. However, if you would like to prep them ahead of time you can certainly do that, which would be cutting the shell and pulling the meat out of it.

How to Store Lobster Tails

Before Cooking: If I buy lobster tails in the store and they have been thawed out, there is actually a use-by date on the label which helps to know when you need to use them. I would say it’s usually 3-4 days after purchasing them.

After Cooking: Once the lobster has been cooked, you can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2 days and it will stay fresh that way.

How to Reheat

Yes, you can reheat the already cooked lobster tails, but they won’t take long before they become overdone and rubbery.

Just 30-60 seconds in the microwave will do the trick. Or you can heat them up on the stove in a frying pan with a little butter which will keep them moist. 

Can You Freeze Lobster Tails?

Yes, you can freeze lobster tails ONLY if they have not already been frozen. We know that they do freeze well because a lot of the lobster tails that we buy at the stores are already frozen or have been frozen and thawed out. 

This freezing process is extremely helpful when lobster tails go on sale. It’s a good time to stock up for a future dinner or two. 

How to Do It: Dry off the lobster tails with paper towels and then wrap them in the paper towels to absorb any future moisture. Place them in a Ziploc freezer bag, squeeze out all of the excess air, and zip it shut. I like to double bag things for extra protection, so put the bag into a 2nd Ziploc bag. They will last for 6-9 months if wrapped properly. 

Mine will not last that long because once I know I have lobster tails in my freezer I will plan to eat them much sooner than that.

Thawing them Out: To thaw them out properly, thaw them slowly in the refrigerator overnight. If you don’t have enough time to do that, run them under cold water for 30-60 minutes.

Lobster Colors

You may not know that lobsters come in different colors, but they do. Even though it is rare it does happen. Let’s take a look at some of the most common colors associated with lobsters, both inside and outside.

Why are Lobster Tails Different Colors?

There are many reasons why lobster are different colors:

• Sometimes the color of the lobster is an indication of where it came from.
• Other times it is an indication of some sort of rare mutation.
• Some lobsters lack pigment which causes them to be white and is called albino, just like other animals or even humans.
• Some blue ones are the result of a genetic variation.
• When a lobster gets cooked the pigment gets destroyed, so it also changes the color.
• The type of water that a lobster comes from can be an indication of its color. For instance, in the cold waters of Maine, the shells are not only harder but also remain darker in color. In the warmer waters of California, they have softer shells that are lighter in color.
• When lobsters shed their shell and a new one grows, the color of it is much lighter too.

I Thought Lobsters Were Red?

If you thought that lobsters were red, you are not alone in that thinking, especially if you have never made them yourself and they were served on your plate in a restaurant with that beautiful red shell.

Lobsters are not red when you buy them or catch them, they only turn that beautiful red color when you cook them. Lobsters are not red when you catch them in the ocean, they are a brownish color on the outside. They do not turn red until after they are cooked.

Why is My Lobster Tail Pink?

On rare occasions, the lobster meat can be pink when it is raw which is ok as long as when you smell it, it still smells like a fresh lobster should.

Sometimes after the lobster tails are cooked, a pink color might appear on the meat because the red shell color bled onto the meat. That is ok too as long as the meat smells and has a normal texture.

What is the Rarest Color Lobster?

The rarest color lobster of all the lobsters is a white lobster. The chances of finding one are about 1 in 100 million.

The next rarest one is a yellow lobster and the chances of finding one are about 1 in 30 million.

Blue lobsters come up in the traps, about 1 in every 2 million. They are a beautiful shade of blue.

Sometimes you will see bi-colored lobsters too which are very rare.

What Color is Lobster Meat When Fully Cooked?

When you think that the lobster tails are done cooking it’s important to check the color to make sure. When they are done cooking the shell will be bright red and the meat should be completely white with a firm texture.

What is the White Stuff in Cooked Lobster?

The white stuff inside cooked lobster is called lobster blood. It looks like egg whites when it’s cooked but it’s clear when uncooked.

Your first reaction when cooking lobster is to throw it out but think again because It can be very good in seafood sauces, soups, and stews.

What is the Orange Stuff?

When you see orange stuff inside lobsters, along the base of the body, and along the tail it means that you have a female. They are tiny lobster eggs which are called roe or coral. 

They are edible and some people consider this a delicacy like caviar. Others throw it out because it does not look appealing to them.

Why Is My Lobster Tail Meat Green? 

The lobster tail meat can be green colored from the tomalley which is the liver/pancreas. If you are a true lobster lover who sits down and demolishes every aspect of the lobster, you may already be eating this part which has a rich butter flavor. 

However, do not make it a regular delicacy because the liver has toxins and it’s best to be on the safe side.

Diets This Recipe is Good For

• Gluten-free – It’s nice to know that lobster is gluten-free.
• Nut-free – There are no nut products in our lobster tails.
• Sugar-free – Once again a sugar-free winner.
• Paleo – Those of you who are on a paleo diet plan are happy that seafood is a good choice for you.
• Dairy-free – Last but not least, dairy-free unless you put butter on it. Stick to the boiled or steamed version and use a dairy-free topping for it.
• Low-carb – Can you think of a better meal to have if you are staying away from too many carbs? There are 0 carbs in lobster!

Lobster Tails Nutrition

Like anything else, there are pros and cons when it comes to the nutrition in lobster tails. Here are some of the main takeaways:

Lobster tails are low in fat, and rich in omega 3 fatty acids. They are high in vitamin A, and B vitamins, and also high in potassium, zinc, iron and magnesium which are essential minerals. 

They are a little higher in sodium than some other forms of seafood, so if you have high blood pressure and have to watch your intake of sodium you may want to avoid salting the water. In that case, boiling or roasting the lobster tail will definitely be a better option than frying it, and of course, limit the temptation to slather it with tons of dripping butter.

Add a lot of veggies to your meal which will give you a lot of fiber that will help reduce the amount of cholesterol from the added butter.

Here is a comparison of nutrition between lobster and steak:

Type	Size	Saturated Fat	Protein	Calories	Carbs
Lobster	3 oz.	0.2 grams	16 grams	81	0
Steak	3 oz.	7.6 grams	26 grams	179	0

Tools to Use

• Scissors – To cut open the lobster tail and also to remove the shell completely
• Brush – This is used to brush the butter onto the tails before and after cooking them.
• Baking Pan or Tray – A cookie sheet is a good prep surface and cooking pan.

Other Similar Dinner Recipes:

If you are looking for some more easy and delicious dinner ideas try these recipes:

• Perfect Oven-Baked Salmon
• Instant Pot Pork Chops
• The Best Roast Turkey
• How to Make Hamburgers | Complete Guide
• Pork Loin Roast

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