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Steaming Lobster Tails
Learn how to steam a lobster tail
Steaming a lobster tail is one of the healthiest ways to cook a lobster tail. Steaming is also farely easy to do and we'll show you how below. One of the best ways to steam a lobster tail is to use a bamboo steamer. This keeps the tail high enough from the steam to help prevent drying. If you don't have a steamer, place one inch of water in a pot with a pinch of sea salt.
Below are directions for steaming a 4oz lobster tail
You can steam lobster tails many ways but i've found the best method is to use a bamboo steamer.
It's best to use a defrosted lobster tail, so if your lobster tails are frozen, thaw them out
Grab your kitchen shears
Begin the cut with the bottom blade right under the shell. Only cut the shell and not the meat.
Proceed the cut down the center all the way to the base of the tale
Cut to base of tail.
Grab each side of the shell and gently pry away the shell away from the meat.
Continue to pry the shell away from the meat but keep the back of the meat connected to the shell. This will make it easier to eat the lobster once it's cooked.
Prepare lobster marinade of melted butter, a dash of peprika, a dash of garlic powder, a squirt of lemon juice and a dash of white pepper. Drizzle lobster tail with marinade.
Place steamer inside a pan and fill with water so that the base of the steamer is resting in the water to prevent the steamer from burning. Briing the water to a boil.
Once the water has reached a boil, place lobster tails in the middle and cover.
This is the tail after a few minutes. Note the change from opeque to white.
Lobster Cooking Times
For steaming a lobster tail
Lobster Tail Weight |
Cooking Time |
2 Oz. |
10 minutes |
4 Oz. |
12 minutes |
6 Oz. |
15 minutes |
8 Oz. |
20 minutes |
12 Oz. |
25 minutes |
14 Oz. + |
30 minutes |
Once the lobster tail is firm to the touch and the meat has turned white, move to a plate.
Other helpful resources:
Butterflying Lobster Tail - Learn how to cook a lobster tail just like they do in the restaurants.
Boiling a Lobster - Boiling a lobster is one of the easiest ways to cook a lobster. Learn how here.
Baking Lobster Tails - Here's an easy way to make lobster tails.
Steaming a Lobster - Learn how to steam a whole lobster.