Question about lobster tails...

are they always pre-cooked? I am making lobster tails that I bought over the weekend and they are small. They told me to steam them for like 5 minutes.

So I got to thinking - isn't lobster meat liquid until it's cooked? And if that is the case, are they always cooked before you get them? Even when you buy them frozen?

Does this make any sense?

Re: Question about lobster tails...

you cook them till they turn white-

I got frozen ones and they took about 15 minutes after the water was boiling to get to that point

Re: Question about lobster tails...

found this off google,


frozen lobster tails tend to be tougher than fresh, so there may be a bit of rubberiness no matter what you do. Nonetheless, they should be delicious!

As to preparation, you can thaw them in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 hours or in a microwave oven (especially if it has an auto-defrost setting). You can cook them frozen, but they tend to be more tender if thawed first. Many people would broil them, but it's hard to keep sections from overcooking. You can bake them in a 400°F (205°C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes (if they were thawed in advance; longer if frozen). Brush them with a bit of butter or olive oil before they go into the oven. Serve with lemon juice, butter, or a fancier sauce such as hollandaise or beurre blanc.


You can also steam the tails for about 5 to 7 minutes. They will curl up as they steam, so for the sake of presentation, you might like to run a wooden skewer through the length of each tail. The steaming liquid (a cup is enough) can just be water, but if you use white wine, you could also use it to make a sauce when the lobster is done. Reduce the liquid in a saucepan and add a few tablespoons of tarragon, parsley or chervil and finish the sauce with a little butter or cream.

You can also grill them (oil the grill surface first to keep them from sticking), but it will take a deft touch to keep them from drying out. There are other options, too, after you steam or bake them. You can make a delicious lobster stew or bisque. Or put them in the refrigerator to cool and make a huge lobster salad.

Or do what the Mainers do (with Maine lobster) — cool them, cut up the meat, add a little mayonnaise, plink the mixture in store-bought hot dog buns (a slice of lettuce is optional) and feast on what we call lobster rolls.

Re: Question about lobster tails...

That is the SAME ARTICLE that I printed last night!!! Funny---

Re: Question about lobster tails...

I was curious too b/c I'm clueless when it comes to seafood!

Re: Question about lobster tails...

I always broil my lobster tails.
I slice the tail and pull the meat out and lay it
on top of the tail, add some s/p and butter and broil
for about 5-6 minutes till they turn red.
Enjoy.

Re: Question about lobster tails...

I broil or steam and sometimes in the summer I grill.

I tend to buy the whole lobster though when I steam.

If you use tails use the wood poles through them so the tails don't curl.

Re: Question about lobster tails...

Usually the tails are not cooked. I have never seen cooked frozen tails before.

They are not "liquid" at all, but they are more "transparent" looking when raw.

I wouldn't boil them, it makes them tough. I have found the best way to cook any lobster is to steam them, or wrap them in foil with an ice cube and throw them on a medium heat BBQ.

The do cook quickly, so small tails MAY only take 5 minutes or so......