Cooking Lobster Tails with Lobster Gram

Ever since Lobster Gram first opened its doors in 1987, our customers have been asking us how to perfectly boil, grill, and broil their cold- and warm-water lobster tails. After all, it's part of the fun! We recommend that you start by searching for the perfect lobster tail within our huge inventory of fresh and frozen lobster tails and mouth-watering lobster dinner side dishes!

With our easy-to-use lobster tail boiling, grilling and broiling guides below, you’ll find that cooking lobster tails is a rewarding experience the whole family will want to experience again and again. We also invite you to visit our lobster tail recipes section to find amazing new dishes for you and your family to enjoy, including broiled lobster tails au gratin, lobster scampi, and lobster rolls!

How to Boil Lobster Tails

First, begin by thawing your frozen lobster tails by placing them directly into cold water for 30 minutes. For giant lobster tails (those bigger than 10 oz. each), change your water after the first 30 minutes and thaw for an additional 15-30 minutes. You’ll know that your tails are thawed when they feel flexible. Once the tails have thawed, follow the steps below:

  • Fill a pot with enough water to cover up to four tails (seasoning is optional).
  • Bring the water to a boil and gently drop tails into the pot one by one. Be careful that you don’t splash yourself!
  • Once the tails have been placed in the pot, wait for the water to reach a slow boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 3-½ minutes.
  • After 3-½ minutes, remove all tails from the pot, but keep the water on the stove at a slow boil.

After removing the tails from the pot, give them a few minutes to cool down, and then test just one tail for doneness. Use a knife to cut through the soft underside of the shell and into the thickest part of the tail meat. If it appears completely white with no signs of translucent, grayish coloring, then your boiled lobster tails are ready to serve.

HowToBoilLobsterTails

Boiled Lobster Tails

If there is still some translucency in the meat, or if the roe (eggs) appears black & shiny, put the lobster tails back in the boiling water for one-minute increments until done. You will know that the roe is done when it turns bright orange or red. If you don’t want to eat the roe, simply rinse or scrape them off the tail.

Now that you have your own perfectly boiled lobster tails, it’s time to find a great recipe. We suggest trying our butter poached lobster tails recipe because you can never go wrong with a classic.

Back to Top

How to Grill Lobster Tails

Grilled lobster tails are very popular with Lobster Gram customers, and with our wide selection of high-quality fresh and frozen tails, you’ll be able to grill your lobster dinner quickly and easily by sticking to the steps listed here!

First, use the information below to help you figure out the optimal cooking time for your lobster tails. These directions are based on 4 - 5 oz. lobster tails.

  • Parboil Time: 2 minutes for each 4 - 5 oz. tail
  • Grilling Time: 2 - 3 minutes for each 4 - 5 oz. tail

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.

After parboiling your tails, you’re ready to start grilling. Better get a good beer ready!

HowToGrillLobsterTail

Grilled Lobster Tails
  • Start by inserting a long metal skewer lengthwise in each tail to keep it from curling while cooking.
  • Lay the tails on their back side with the soft underneath side of the shell facing up.
  • Take a knife and cut through the shell lengthwise down the middle. Pry the shell open, then pour melted butter and squeeze lemon juice right onto the meat. Treat with any other seasonings you would like to include.
  • Grill with the cut side facing up on medium heat. Each tail should cook within 2 - 3 minutes, so be sure to test the tails often to make sure they don’t overcook.

Back to Top

How to Broil Lobster Tails

Many Lobster Gram customers ask how to broil lobster tails, and by following the directions below, you’ll be able to perfectly broil your tasty tails and create a meal that you’ll want to eat again and again.

  • Start by thawing your tails by dropping the frozen tails directly into cold water for at least 30 minutes. You’ll know that the tails are ready when they feel flexible.
  • Next, begin prepping your thawed tails by cutting lengthwise through the top of the lobster shell with lobster and seafood shears or a sharp knife. Note that, while cutting through the shell, you’ll also cut through the meat. This is fine, as it butterflies the lobster tail meat and helps it cook correctly.
  • Remove the digestive tract (the cream- or dark-colored line that runs along the length of the tail) once you’ve cut through the shell.
  • After cleaning the tail, pry the shell open with your hands. Starting at the base of the tail (the wide end), begin carefully loosening the meat from the bottom of the shell, but be sure that you keep the meat attached at the tail end of the shell.
  • Next, lift the meat through the opening and place it on top of the shell. Ensure that the meat is still attached at the tail.

HowToBroilLobsterTails

Broiled Lobster Tails
  • Finally, brush your lobster tail with butter and broil at least 5 inches away from your heat source for 4 minutes.
  • Remove the tail, baste it again with more butter and your preferred seasonings, and broil for an additional 3 minutes, or until the lobster tail meat turns white and soft. Be careful not to overcook the meat and test it before serving to ensure it’s cooked.
  • Pry open the shell using your fingers. Starting at the wide end, carefully loosen the meat from bottom of the shell, keeping the meat attached at the smaller end of the tail. Lift the meat through the cut shell opening and place it on top of the shell.

Brush lobster meat with melted butter. Broil 5" from heat for 4 minutes, then baste with more melted butter and broil for an additional 3 minutes, or until the lobster meat turns opaque. Watch it closely to avoid overcooking.

We invite you to check out our awesome broiled lobster tails au gratin recipe if you’re looking for a great dinner that will let you try out your new broiling skills!

Back to Top

How to Bake Lobster Tails

Baking lobster tails at home is a quick and simple process that any cook can perform. Start by thawing your lobster tails in cool water (roughly 30 minutes, though you may need to change the water and thaw them for another 30 minutes if the tails are larger). Once the tails have thawed, you should:

  • Heat the oven to 425 degrees.
  • Cut the top of the shell lengthwise, starting from the base and going toward the end of the tail.
  • Crack the bottom of the shell using your hands, but be sure that you don’t smash the shell.
  • Reach inside the newly opened shell and gently remove the meat from the shell, but don’t detach the meat from the base of the tail. After pulling the meat out, lay it on top of the shell.
  • Remove the darkly colored vein from the meat and throw it away.
  • Place the tails on a baking pan with enough water to shallowly fill the bottom of the pan. This water will help steam your tails quickly and thoroughly!
  • Base the tail with clarified butter and top it with seasoning of your choice – we recommend paprika for great flavor and color.
  • Bake your tails for exactly 1 to 1 ½ minutes per ounce. You’ll know that your baked lobster tails are done when the meat is white and firm with no gray coloring or translucency.

HowToBakeLobsterTails

Baked Lobster Tails

You can now enjoy your perfectly cooked lobster tails. We recommend pairing your tails with any of our amazing seafood side dishes, like lobster bisque or bacon-wrapped scallops!

Back to Top

Learn More about Lobster Gram

If you have more questions about how to cook or boil live lobsters or lobster tails, please contact Lobster Gram today at [email protected] or 1-800-548-3562. We’ll help you create the perfect home cooked seafood meal.