How to Know When a Lobster Tail Is Done

Lobster is generally served with melted butter and lemon.

Lobster tails can come from a variety of lobsters. There a spiny clawless lobsters, clawed lobsters, cold water and warm water lobsters. Cold water lobsters are generally of better quality, and their prices reflect this. If you are unsure of the quality of lobster tails you are about to purchase, ask the retailer whether they are from cold-water or warm-water lobsters.

Things You'll Need

• Large kettle or baking tray
• Stove top or oven
• Timer
• Lobster tail

Instructions

1. Decide on the cooking method. Lobster tails cook within minutes, and each cooking method has a recommended amount of time -- depending on the tail's weight.

2. Begin your chosen method of cooking. For baked lobster tails, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are steaming or boiling, allow the water to boil first, and then add the lobster tail.

3. Set your timer based on the recommended setting for your chosen cooking method. If you are boiling a 5 oz. lobster tail, it will be ready in 5 minutes. If you are steaming, it will be ready in 7 to 8 minutes. If you are grilling, use a moderate to high heat setting, and the tail will be ready in 7 to 8 minutes. Baking takes 8 to 10 minutes.

4. Remove the lobster tail when your timer signals. It should be ready to serve. You can confirm the lobster tail is ready with a visual inspection. Lobster meat appears translucent when raw, and is opaque and white when thoroughly cooked.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are grilling the lobster tail, turn it over halfway through cooking so it cooks evenly. Grilled lobster is often brushed with butter, lemon and other seasoning prior to cooking. To prevent the tail from curling, pierce it along its length with a wooden skewer sold for this purpose.

References

• helpwithcooking.com: Cooking Lobster Tails
• LobsterHelp.com: Cooking Lobster Tails

Resources

• The Cool Cook: Preparing Atlantic Lobster Tails
• Lobster Deal: Lobster Recipes