Cooking Lobster Tails

Learn how to cook lobster tails.

Thinking about boiling a lobster tail? Well don't. The best way to cook a lobster tail is in the oven. Boiling a lobster tail can lead to soggy meat. Below are instructions for how to cook the perfect lobster tail.

Cooking Frozen lobster Tails? Don't. Begin with defrosted lobster tails.

To defrost the lobster tails, place them in the refrigerator for a period of 8 - 10 hours or you can place them in a bowl of cold water for 20 minutes or more. They can be defrosted in the microwave, but make sure that you do not start to cook them instead.

Once the tails have been completely defrosted, they will be ready to cook.

Below are step by step instructions for cooking a 6oz Maine lobster tail

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Defrost lobster tail

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Set oven to a medium broil - 500 degrees

Place on cutting board or workable surface

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Take kitchen sheers and begin on right side of the shell. Keep bottom of the sheers as close to the top underside of the shell as possible. You do NOT want to cut too deep into the lobster tail.

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Slowly make the cut gradually toward the middle of the back of the tail

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Repeat Process on other side

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Both cuts should result in a V

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Grab the cut piece of shell and peel it backwards

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Wash the tail with cold water as to remove any bits of shells. Drain water and do not season yet. Avoid salting the meat as it tends to draw moisture out of the meat during cooking, making it dryer, and tougher. Butter will burn if added at the beginning. Also due to the size of the lobster tail, I do not pull the meat outside of the shell when cooking because it will dry out. Leaving the meat inside the shell during cooking keeps the meat moist.

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Place the lobster tail upside down for the first 3 minutes in the oven. After 3 minutes flip the tail over and cook for an additional 5 minutes. If your lobster tail is bigger or smaller then 6oz the cooking time will vary. See below for additional cooking times

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Get your butter ready and HOT!. I've found the best butter to be Land'O Lakes salted sweet cream butter.

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Keep a close eye on the lobster tail to make sure it doesn't burn. DO NOT over cook the lobster. When the lobster tail is done, the meat will be firm, white and opaque. Near the end of the cooking process you can add a little butter. Once the lobster is done, remove from pan. Add more melted butter and garnish with some parlsey and squirt on some lemon.

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