IKR, who ever has lobster meat left over? Well, in case you do…use this “Mainer” tip to help you preserve the freshness and flavor of our most prized export.
First things, First: Always thaw lobster meat or lobster tails, if they are frozen. The most effective way to do this is by placing them in the refrigerator for 24 hours prior to cooking. If you need them faster, you can thaw at room temp for a few hours, and if you need them right away thaw under running cold water.
Its months later and you are ready to enjoy your leftover lobster meat. Simply move the lobster meat to the refrigerator 24 hours before you want to enjoy. Alternatively, you can run cold water over the lobster meat (taking newspaper off first) for 30 minutes. Be sure the lobster meat us thoroughly thawed.
Place lobster meat in a colander, rinse off the milk or cream, and allow to sit for 30 minutes.
Frozen Lobster Meat & Tails Thawing & Refreezing Guidelines: Refreezing lobster tails is no problem as long as safe thawing practices are followed. Thawing lobster in the refrigerator allows you a few days leeway for cooking or refreezing. As long as the lobster tails thaw within refrigerator temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, refreezing them is OK within two days.
Lobster is a delicious and luxurious seafood treat that many people love to indulge in for special occasions or celebrations. However, lobster is highly perishable with a short shelf life after cooking. This leads many home cooks to wonder – how long can you freeze cooked lobster to safely preserve it for later enjoyment?
The good news is that properly frozen cooked lobster can last in the freezer for 4 to 6 months while retaining excellent texture and flavor. Follow this complete guide to learn everything you need to know about freezing lobster from preparation tips to optimal storage times.
Can You Freeze Live Lobsters?
Let’s start by addressing the question of whether live lobsters can be frozen. The short answer is technically yes, but freezing live lobsters is not recommended.
Some experiments have shown a small portion of lobsters can survive being frozen solid at ultra-low temperatures like -40°F. However, when thawed the texture and taste of the lobster meat becomes extremely unpleasant and mushy. Enzymes start leaking out degrading the quality.
Freezing live lobsters correctly is also difficult and poses food safety risks if done wrong Pathogens present could multiply to dangerous levels when thawed
Overall, freezing live lobsters is impractical and ill-advised. It is better to cook lobsters first before freezing to ensure optimal quality and safety.
Freezing Cooked Lobster Meat
Freezing cooked lobster meat is an excellent way to preserve it for 4-6 months. The texture and flavor hold up extremely well when properly frozen and thawed.
Follow these steps for successfully freezing cooked lobster meat:
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Cook lobsters until the meat is opaque and cooked through, by steaming, boiling, or other preferred cooking methods.
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Allow the cooked lobster to fully cool down, then remove all the meat from the shells.
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Place chilled lobster meat in a single layer in airtight freezer bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible.
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Label the bags clearly with contents and freeze date. Store in the freezer at 0°F or below.
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For best quality, use frozen lobster meat within 4-6 months. Properly frozen, it can last up to a year before the flavor and texture declines noticeably.
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Portioning the meat into meal-size servings makes it easy to only thaw what you need.
Freezing Whole Cooked Lobsters
You can also freeze entire cooked lobsters instead of shelling them first:
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Cook lobsters just until done, by steaming, boiling, or other preferred cooking methods. Be careful not to overcook.
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Cool briefly in an ice bath for 5-10 minutes to stop the cooking process.
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Dry the lobsters thoroughly with paper towels and place in freezer bags. Squeeze out excess air and seal.
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Freeze at 0°F or below for up to 4 months.
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To serve, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat by steaming or boiling for 5-10 minutes until heated through.
Freezing whole cooked lobsters simplifies preparation. Just thaw and quickly reheat to serve! The shells help protect the meat during freezing storage.
Freezing Lobster Tails
Lobster tails are another great item for freezing:
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Remove raw tails from the shells, rinse under cold water, and pat dry.
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Place tails in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
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Transfer the frozen tails to freezer bags or airtight containers for longer storage.
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Freeze for up to 6 months at 0°F or below.
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Thaw tails overnight in the refrigerator before cooking as desired.
Freezing tails separately allows grabbing just what you need. The par-frozen tails stack well in bags.
Top Tips for Freezing Lobster
Follow these top tips for optimal results when freezing lobster:
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Fully cook lobsters prior to freezing to destroy any bacteria present. Undercooked lobster can be unsafe when frozen for extended periods.
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Chill cooked lobster quickly in an ice bath before freezing. This prevents overcooking.
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Package lobster in single layers with minimal air exposure to avoid freezer burn.
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Use high-quality, durable freezer bags or airtight containers to protect the lobster from absorbing “off” flavors from other frozen foods.
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Clearly label packages with contents and freeze date so you know what’s inside and how long it’s been frozen.
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Freeze at 0°F or below to maximize frozen shelf life. Ultra-low steady temperatures prevent quality deterioration.
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Portion lobster meat into meal-sized freezer bags or containers for easy thawing of what you need. Avoid giant bulk packages.
Following these tips will ensure your frozen lobster stays delicious and safe to eat when thawed!
Can You Refreeze Lobster?
Previously frozen lobster should not be refrozen after thawing. Partial thawing allows bacteria and enzymes to reactivate which causes the meat to degrade. Refreezing at that point poses food safety risks from pathogen growth.
Only refreeze lobster if it has been kept chilled at 40°F or below constantly and has not thawed completely. Even then, the quality will decline noticeably with each additional freeze-thaw cycle. For best texture and flavor, cook fully thawed lobster within 1-2 days.
How to Thaw Frozen Lobster
Thawing frozen lobster requires some care. Here are some safe methods:
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Thaw in the refrigerator for 24-36 hours. Place in a bowl or on a plate to catch drips.
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For quicker thawing, seal the frozen lobster in a watertight bag and submerge in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until thawed.
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Microwave defrosting is not recommended. It can create hot spots that begin cooking the meat.
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Never thaw lobster meat or tails at room temperature or in hot water. This can lead to bacterial overgrowth.
Once thawed, use cooked lobster within 1-2 days for optimal freshness and flavor. Gently reheat before serving.
Thawed raw lobster tails or meat should be cooked immediately. Do not refreeze thawed uncooked lobster.
Storing Thawed Lobster
Proper storage after thawing is critical to prevent bacteria growth.
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Store thawed cooked lobster meat in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Use within 1-2 days for highest quality.
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Keep thawed raw lobster tails in the refrigerator 1-2 days before cooking. Place on the bottom shelf of the fridge to avoid cross-contamination.
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Do not leave thawed lobster sitting at room temperature longer than 2 hours before cooking.
Cook thawed lobster as soon as possible. Do not refreeze previously thawed meat or tails.
Following safe thawing and storage steps will ensure thawed lobster stays delicious and ready to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does cooked lobster last in the freezer?
Cooked lobster meat or whole lobsters will last 4-6 months in a 0°F freezer before quality drops noticeably. Lobster tails may last over 6 months frozen.
Can you freeze live Maine lobsters?
Freezing live lobsters is risky and not recommended. It significantly reduces meat quality and poses potential food safety issues.
Is it safe to eat frozen lobster after the expiration date?
It is not recommended to eat frozen lobster past its recommended maximum frozen storage time, even if kept at 0°F continuously. Flavor and texture decline over time in freezing temperatures.
Can you freeze cooked lobster in its original wrapper?
It is best to rewrap or repackage cooked lobster for extended freezing. Original store packaging is meant for short term use. Use heavy duty freezer bags or airtight containers.
Can you freeze cooked lobster claws and knuckles?
Yes, cooked lobster claws and knuckles can be frozen using the same methods as tails or meat. Ensure they are fully cooked before freezing for storage.
How do you maintain quality when freezing lobster?
Package in small portions in single layers, exclude excess air, use high-quality freezer bags/containers, label packages clearly, freeze quickly at 0°F or below.
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How to prepare cooked lobster for freezing
When you arrive home from Lobster Shack and you’re ready to freeze your cooked lobster, prepare your workspace and grab a knife, chopping board, zip lock bags, milk or cream, newspaper and tape.
Think ahead and consider pre-portioning the cooked lobster so it’s easier to defrost. You can choose to freeze cooked lobster in one batch if desired, but keep in mind that the meat can lose some of its quality and moisture if it’s thawed and refrozen. You may also like to remove the meat from the shell and chop up the cooked lobster before freezing. This is a great step to take if you are planning to use your lobster in pasta, pie or rolls later down the track. Feel free to keep the shell and use it to make a seafood stock.
Place your chopped or whole cooked lobster in a freezer bag and pour milk or cream over the meat. Ensure that there is enough liquid to cover all of the cooked lobster, as this will help it maintain its moisture in the freezer. Next, squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible and seal the freezer bag. If you are portioning your lobster, repeat this process for each portion of cooked lobster.Set some newspaper on the counter and place your freezer bag in the middle, wrap your newspaper around the freezer bag as a parcel and secure it with tape.