How to Cook Lobster Tails

While it's hard to beat cooking and serving whole lobsters, it's less expensive and simpler to cook and eat lobster tails. Most lobster tails you'll find are from spiny lobsters, which have no claws and meatier tails than Maine lobsters. They are generally marketed as rock lobster tails and come fresh or frozen. Plan on one (about 8-ounce) tail per person.

Here's how to cook a whole lobster (not just the tail).

If the lobster tails are frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator. Be sure to plan ahead, as this takes 8 to 10 hours. Uncooked tails have a mottled appearance with a green-blue-brown cast. To cook four 8-ounce lobster tails, bring 6 cups salted water to boiling in a 3-quart saucepan. Add the lobster tails. Simmer, uncovered, for 8 to 12 minutes or until shells turn bright red and the meat is tender when poked with a fork. For larger or smaller lobster tails, adjust the cooking time as needed. Drain in a colander.

To serve, place one lobster tail, shell side down, on each plate. If desired, use kitchen scissors to cut each lobster tail lengthwise through the meat for easier eating. Serve Clarified Butter for dipping.

See our step-by-step guide on how to eat a lobster.

Start with these recipes to help you cook delicious lobster tails:

• Clarified Butter
• Broiled Lobsters with Garlic-Chili Butter
• Grilled Lobsters with Chive Butter
• Rock Lobster Tails
• Lobster with Curried Dressing