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How to Cook Frozen Lobster Tails – 7 Easy Ways

Choose one of these methods to cook frozen lobster tails, with or without the shell.

It’s me, your lifelong Mainer, here to talk lobster tails with you! I have the luxury of living along the coast of Maine, which means I have access to some excellent, fresh lobster every summer. 

Cooked lobster tails on a white plate with lemon and dill
(Bartosz Luczak via iStock Photo)

There are countless locations near me that package and sell these fresh lobster tails, even shipping them around the world! This means that the classic lobster tail is often frozen for food safety purposes, and to extend the shelf life of the meat. So, because there’s a good chance you don’t live terribly close to me, let’s talk about how to cook frozen lobster tails!

Tail meat is generally considered to be the most delicious part of the lobster. It has a sweet flavor and soft, tender texture. It’s also the easiest part to access, as the lobster’s hard, awkward-shaped shell can make it difficult to open in some other tight spots.

Cracking open a lobster can be a tough and messy endeavor — if you’ve ever ordered a lobster dinner in a restaurant, it may be the only time in your life you remember wearing a bib (happily, may I add). Unless you’re ordering a “lazy lobster,” which has been picked for you, you’re in for a bit of a culinary adventure. Lobster tails literally come off in a snap, and the meat inside can be pushed through the larger end for a super-simple dinner you can enjoy without a lot of waiting.

Let’s start with the basics when it comes to cooking frozen lobster tails!

(EzumeImages via iStock Photo)

How to Freeze Lobster Tails

Many a Mainer who planned a major summer get-together has been left with some expensive leftovers.

Freezing lobster tails is simple and an excellent way to preserve the meat for future use. It helps you maximize your investment, as lobster meat can be pretty expensive some years.

The key to expertly freezing lobster is blanching. This kills bacteria and helps preserve the quality of the meat.

Blanch a live lobster by placing it whole in rapidly boiling, salted water for one full minute. Then chill the lobster in an ice bath for at least 15 minutes. Pat dry to remove excess water.

Next, place your now-chilled lobster into freezer bags and remove as much air as possible. For longer-term freshness and best results, use vacuum-sealed bags. Double-bag if you are not using a vacuum seal.

Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen Lobster Risotto Picture
(evgenyb via iStock Photo)

How Long Can You Freeze Lobster Tails?

Properly frozen and stored lobster in the shell will last 9 to 12 months in the freezer under normal conditions.

You can also freeze prepared and picked lobster — store the meat in an airtight bag for 3-6 months in the freezer.

How Long to Thaw Lobster Tails

You will want to begin by thawing your lobster tails.

This can be done very easily by keeping them in an airtight container in the fridge overnight. This method involves very little effort or energy, so it’s by far the preferred method, if you ask me!

But maybe you don’t want to wait long, and who can blame you? Lobster tails can be thawed by placing them in a sealed plastic bag and submerging them in cold water. Change the water every 15 minutes until fully thawed. This process takes about 1 to 1 ½ hours.

Maine Lobster Roll Kit-4 Pack from Gold Belly
(Goldbelly)

Do not use warm or hot water thinking that it will help you out — this only increases your chance of illness, ruining what would otherwise be a decadent dinner!

There is also a middle ground: Soaking frozen lobster tails in a sealed bag in a bowl of cold water in the fridge will thaw faster than it would without the water and require less constant maintenance than changing out a bowl kept on the countertop. 

This method speeds the fridge process up by a few hours, but still takes a bit of time.

You can also use your microwave’s thaw settings, though this is our least favorite method because it can cause uneven heating.

You may wonder how long you can keep thawed lobster tails in the fridge — the answer is up to 2 days. Anything longer and you risk illness.

Lobster Image
(Stock Image)

How to Cook Frozen Lobster Tails

Cooking lobster tails is easier than you think, especially because there so many different ways to create the perfect lobster tails! Lobster cooks differently depending on your method, so pick based on your priorities and constraints. Now you can get your special occasion underway with one of these approaches in the summer months or year-round!

  1. STEAMING

Prepare your thawed lobster meat by steaming it for 8 to 10 minutes in a colander above a steaming pot of water. This is the most classic way to prepare lobster tails as it so closely mimics the best method for preparing a lobster initially. Simply bring the water to a rolling boil before adding the colander and lobster.

  1. POACHING

Poaching lobster also provides a tender, sweet result! It is recommended to cut away the middle under shell with clean kitchen scissors before poaching. This allows the flavors to easily distribute between the liquids used for poaching and the meat. This also makes serving and eating your lobster meat much easier!

  • Skewer the lobster tail with a wooden skewer to keep the tail from curling while it cooks. Cut the skewer down to size so the lobster still fits in the pan.
  • Prepare a pan or skillet with butter, garlic, and herbs. Add butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs such as thyme. Cook on low heat, swirling to combine and to help the butter completely melt.
  • Do not let the butter boil, or it will brown.
  • When all the butter has melted, add the lobsters cut side up to the pan and baste the exposed lobster tail meat with the butter mixture from the pan. Cover and poach for 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the succulent meat registers at 135 degrees F.
  • Transfer to a serving platter with butter from the pan for further dipping if desired.

This butter also makes a great topping for a classic Maine lobster side, corn on the cob!

Lobster Picture
(Stock Image)
  1. AIR FRY

You can air-fry your lobster!

Brush the tails with butter and fry at 400°F until cooked through. (Cooking time will vary, but watch it closely.)

While this method is very quick and simple, it does change the flavor and texture of the cooked meat.

  1. GRILL

Grilling your lobster is a unique and fresh way to enjoy the meat you love while making cleanup a breeze.

Simply brush the shell-free tails with melted butter and your choice of seasonings, skewer them, and grill over medium heat until the meat is opaque and cooked through to 135-140°F.

Grilled lobster tails offer a more smoky flavor. Be sure to flip partway through for even cooking.

Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen Lobster Risotto Image
(Audrey Marie Bufalini via iStock Photo)
  1. BOILING

You can also boil lobster. Place lobster tails in a large pot of boiling water until the shell is bright red and the meat is tender.

This method is super simple, but the flavor can be slightly dull.

  1. BROILING
  • Not to be confused with boiling, broiling is a quick and easy way to heat your lobster meat without a lot of fuss.
  • Split the tails with a pair of kitchen shears, brush with butter of your choice, and place on a baking sheet.
  • Cook under broiler at 500°F in the oven until meat is opaque and browned.

This is a super-fast method, so be careful — it’s easy to burn your broiled lobster tail.

  1. INSTANT POT
  • Place 1 cup water and 4 lobster tails in the Instant Pot.
  • Close the lid and turn the valve to Sealing position.
  • Press “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” button and set the time depending on the size of the lobster tails:
  • 2 minutes on High for small tails
  • 3 minutes on High for medium tails
  • 4 minutes on High for large tails
  • Add 1 extra minute if the lobster tail is not thawed and is still frozen.
  • When done cooking, quick-release the steam.
  • Carefully remove the tails from the Instant Pot and serve.

That’s all you need to know about how to cook frozen lobster tails!

Lobster Mac and Cheese Photo
(Stock Art)

Dinner Ideas with Lobster Tails

Once you’ve cooked your frozen lobster tails, here are some ideas for what to do with them — and what to serve as accompaniments!

Lobster Risotto: This Gordon Ramsay dish is must-try recipe that’s one of our most popular of all-time! Enjoy this delicious, creamy risotto with chunks of fresh, flavorful lobster.

  • Lobster Mac and Cheese: You will be hard-pressed to find a restaurant in Bar Harbor, Maine that hasn’t hit on the perfection that is lobster mac and cheese. Heck, we even have lobster ice cream, so the sky is the limit! Give this hearty lobster mac a try.
  • Clam Bake Recipe: Enjoy the classic clam bake and get a true taste of coastal New England! Make sure you bring plenty of butter.
  • Buttered Pasta with Lobster: Lobster, butter, a splash of white wine, lightly roasted cherry tomatoes and garlic cloves, and angel hair pasta combine for an incredibly easy, savory dish that keeps it simple in the best way. This is perfect for a last-minute date night dish, or a great intro to lobster for newbies. Top with parsley for some added flavor and color.
  • Fettuccini Alfredo with Lobster: Make your own alfredo sauce, blend in with fresh fettuccini, and toss in warm, buttery lobster for a treat you’ll never forget!
  • Lobster Rolls: Lobster rolls are a classic way to consume lobster, and are so easy to make. Whisk together 1/3 cup mayo and 7 Tbsp melted butter, and lightly fold in the prepared, chopped meat of 3 lobsters to create 6 hot dog buns’ worth of lobster rolls! Make sure you butter and toast the rolls or you may as well not even bother. Serve with a side of salted chips and end the meal with a whoopie pie for a classic Maine meal. (In some places, people simply butter hot lobster and put it on a roll, but this isn’t the Maine way!)
  • Dip them in butter: Yeah, this simple recipe is the classic go-to, but it’s a favorite for a reason. Dip your lobster in hot melted butter, taking time to truly experience the flavorful goodness. Sure, it seems plain, but have you tried it? I strongly recommend it!
File 2 - Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
(File photo)

Enjoy your lobster alongside: 

Sheet Pan Roasted Shrimp and Summer Vegetables Pic
(Lisa Grant)

Remember, when making lobster tails, watch out for shell fragments that may break off in the cooking process! Now you’re ready to enjoy some sweet lobster meat, whether you live near me on the East Coast or had some Maine lobster tails shipped to your door.

You may also be interested in how to cook frozen salmon, how to cook frozen meatballs, and how to cook frozen corn on the cob.