How To Cook A Lobster Tail

1.  Before you can start cooking, you’ll need to thaw your frozen raw lobster tails. The best way to do this is by placing them in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re short on time, you can also use the cold water method. Seal the tails in a plastic bag and ensure it is tightly closed to prevent water from seeping in. Submerge the bag in a bowl of cold water and let it sit for 30-60 minutes, changing the water every 15 minutes. Remember, it’s crucial to never thaw lobster tails at room temperature as it can lead to bacterial growth. It’s easiest to split when semi-frozen.
2. Hold a lobster tail in one hand with the top of the hard shell facing up. Using sturdy kitchen shears, cut through the top of the shell and the meat, stopping just before the bottom shell. Don’t cut through the wide end of the tail.
   
3. Using your thumbs and fingers, gently spread the halves of the tails apart, keeping the meat attached near the end of the tail, (don’t pull it all the way out).
   
4. Lift the Meat over the Shell.  Gently separate the meat from the back of the shell, keeping the base attached at the tail, and lift the meat over the shell. Squeeze the shell halves back together beneath the meat so that the meat rests on top of the shell.
5. Sprinkle Cooper’s season salt and baste with butter.
6. Bake in a 350° oven until the meat turns from opaque to snow white. Check the inside with a fork.
   • For a 6-8 oz. tail, bake for 10-12 min.
   • For an 8-10 oz. tail, bake for 15-20 min.
   • For a 10-16 oz. tail, bake for 20-30 min.
   • For a 16-20 oz. tail, bake for 30-35 min.

Other Methods of cooking a lobster tail…

Boiling:

1.  Thaw your lobster tails, then put a skewer through them to keep them from curling.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and carefully add the lobster tails.
3. Let them cook for around 1 minute per ounce of weight.
4. For example, if your lobster tail weighs 6 ounces, cook it for approximately 6 minutes.
5. Remember, overcooking can result in tough and rubbery meat.

BOILING LOBSTER TAILS TIME CHART

Grilling:

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
2. Split the lobster tails in half lengthwise using a sharp knife and brush the meat with some olive oil.
   You can also try adding minced garlic, a sprinkle of sea salt, a pad of butter, and a lime slice onto the lobster meat underneath the shell so it can bath in citrus garlic butter goodness while on the grill.
   
3. Oil your grill grates with a high-heat oil like peanut oil or Pam Grilling Oil so the lobster will not stick to the grill grates.
4. Place them shell-side down on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes then flip them over to ensure the other side gets some heat from the grill.  Grill until the meat is opaque.
5. Lobster tails are done when an internal read thermometer like a thermopro reads 145 degrees