Heres a fun fact: 50% of lobster purchasers actually dont know how to cook lobster tails. Ever since Maine Lobster Now™ first opened its doors, our customers have been asking us how to perfectly boil, broil, bake, steam, or grill their lobster tails.
Lobster tails are a delicious, indulgent seafood treat that can take your meal to the next level. When cooking lobster tails at home, two methods generally rise above the rest – boiling and steaming. But with two great options to choose from, many home cooks find themselves wondering – should I boil or steam my lobster tails?
In this detailed guide, we’ll compare boiling vs. steaming lobster tails to help you determine the ideal technique based on texture, taste, convenience, and other factors. Read on to become a lobster tail preparation pro!
An Overview of Boiling and Steaming
First let’s briefly review how each cooking method works
Boiling: The lobster tails are fully submerged in vigorously boiling water. The turbulent movement of the water circulates heat evenly around the lobster. Tails are boiled for 5-12 minutes depending on size.
Steaming: The lobster tails are placed in a steamer basket or rack suspended over boiling water. Steam rises up and gently surrounds the lobster, cooking it through. Tails steam for 6-12 minutes based on size.
Both techniques can yield tender, juicy, and succulent lobster tails when done properly. Now let’s compare some key differences.
Comparing Texture
One of the biggest distinctions between boiling and steaming is the effect on the lobster meat’s texture:
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Steaming produces exceptionally moist and delicate meat with a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness The gentle steam heat prevents the lobster from drying out.
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Boiling can result in slightly firmer texture since the vigorous turbulent water rapidly transfers heat from all directions. But when boiled properly the meat remains tender.
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With either technique, following the recommended cooking times is crucial for avoiding overcooked rubbery lobster. When boiled or steamed correctly, the texture is succulent.
So for the absolute most tender bite, steaming has a slight advantage. But both methods can achieve tender lobes when done right.
Comparing Flavor
Another key difference between boiling and steaming lobster tails is the impact on the delicious natural seafood flavor:
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Steaming preserves the lobster’s subtle briny sweetness and highlight’s the tail’s taste beautifully. The gentle steam doesn’t dilute or overwhelm the flavor.
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Boiling can sometimes wash out some of the delicate flavors, but the signature sweet lobster taste still shines through. The rapid turbulent boiling does introduce more water.
Overall, steaming results in lobster that lets the pure flavor subtleties shine through. But even boiled properly, the sweet briny taste comes through loud and clear.
Comparing Convenience
Ease of use is another consideration when choosing between boiling and steaming. Here’s how they compare:
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Steaming requires some special equipment like a steamer basket and lidded pot. But cleanup is fast and easy without dealing with draining boiling water.
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Boiling just needs a pot filled with water. However, managing the vigorous boil and avoiding splatters takes some caution. Draining hot water also requires care.
For most home cooks, the convenience factor is pretty even between the two lobster cooking methods. Both have minor advantages and disadvantages that balance out.
Comparing Cook Times
On the time it takes to fully cook lobster tails, here is how boiling and steaming stack up:
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Steaming cooks efficiently, but boiling often finishes a couple minutes faster thanks to the rapid heat transfer.
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The turbulent movement of boilingcirculates heat for fast cooking. Monitoring the pot closely prevents overcooking.
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For both methods, cook times depend on the size of tails. Follow recipe guidelines carefully.
While boiling may shave off a minute or two, the cook times are generally comparable between the techniques. Proper seasoning and monitoring are more important.
Tips for Perfect Results
No matter which cooking method you choose, follow these tips for flawless lobster tails every time:
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Select similar-sized tails for even cooking.
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Scrub tails before cooking and remove digestive tract.
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Adjust boil/steam times based on tail sizes.
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Use tongs and gloves to prevent burns.
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Check doneness early and often to avoid overcooking.
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Serve immediately with clarified butter, lemon, or dipping sauces.
Steaming Lobster Tails Step-by-Step
Ready to steam some perfect lobster? Just follow these simple steps:
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Fill a large pot with 2 inches water and bring to a boil.
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Place tails shell-side down in a steamer basket above the water line.
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Cover pot with a tight-fitting lid to trap the steam.
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Steam 8-12 minutes depending on tail size.
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Check doneness – meat should be opaque and firm.
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Transfer tails immediately to a plate and serve with melted butter!
Boiling Lobster Tails Step-by-Step
Boiling lobster to perfection is easy. Here’s a simple process:
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Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a vigorous boil.
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Use tongs to gently lower tails into the boiling water.
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Boil 7-12 minutes based on tail size.
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Check for doneness markers like opaque meat.
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Remove tails from pot using tongs.
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Serve right away with melted butter for dipping!
Complementary Sides and Sauces
Consider serving lobster tails with tasty accompaniments like:
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Drawn butter – The classic dipping sauce for succulent lobster.
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Lemon wedges – A bright, fresh contrast to the rich butter.
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Garlic aioli – Indulgent blend of garlic and olive oil.
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Twice baked potatoes – Smooth and creamy with lobster chunks.
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Champagne vinegar slaw – Tangy crunchy texture.
Take your lobster to the next level with complementary sides and dipping sauces!
The Verdict: Boiling vs Steaming Lobster Tails
While both boiling and steaming produce delicious results when done properly, steaming ultimately results in the most tender texture and pure, sweet lobster flavor. The moist gentle heat of steaming allows the briny taste to shine.
However, boiling is faster and more foolproof. The turbulent boiling water circulates heat evenly for reliable cooking. So boiling can be ideal for quick weeknight meals.
At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either steaming or boiling your lobster tails. Try out both techniques and see which you prefer! Just be sure to avoid overcooking for tender, juicy results.
Shop for Fresh Lobster Tails
Now that you know how to perfectly boil or steam lobster tails, it’s time to get cooking! Shop our wide selection of fresh lobster tails shipped overnight to your door. We offer size from small tails to colossal jumbo lobster tails.
Bring the taste of a luxury seafood restaurant into your own kitchen. Lobster tails deserve star treatment, so serve them up with drawn butter, lemon wedges, and tender loving care.
Thaw Your Tails Thoroughly To Avoid Meat Sticking to the Shell
If you want to avoid your tails sticking to the shell, thaw your tails 24 hours prior to cooking in a refrigerator inside a leak-proof container. Your tails are defrosting so they will leak fluid. If your tails are frozen and you are planning on cooking them today, that is not a problem. Put your lobster tails in a sealed bag and soak them in cold water for at least 30-60 minutes. Larger lobster tails will take longer to thaw. If you want to butterfly a lobster tail, thawing your tails will be critical because you will have to cut the meat, and you wont be able to do so if the tails are not thawed all the way.
It is common to have tomalley in the center of the tail. It appears black and sometimes green and sometimes will startle customers. Do not worry. This is a natural part of the lobster tail. It is actually the liver and is totally edible and is considered a delicacy. If you do not desire to eat this it can be rinsed off with water once the lobster is fully cooked. The most lobster tail meat is white but it is also common to have a slight pink tint to the meat for lobsters that are preparing to shed. Once again, this is a totally natural process and is totally edible. If you want to remove the pink tint, you can rinse most of it off with warm water after you have cooked your tail. With our easy-to-use lobster tail boiling, grilling and broiling guides below, you’ll find that cooking lobster tails is a rewarding experience the whole family will want to experience again and again. Check out our lobster tail recipes section to find out better techniques on how to butterfly a lobster tail! We intentionally only stock cold-water lobster tails, if you are interested in learning the difference between cold-water and warm-water lobster tails check out our blog for more information. If you arent sure which method to use, we strongly recommend boiling frozen lobster tails after they are completely thawed because this is your best bet to avoid your tails sticking to the shell. Please read our following section to make sure your lobster tails are stored and thawed properly to ensure the best results.
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Youll find various methods for cooking your dish, each with different instructions. Every method has its own pros and cons and determines how you will prepare your lobster tail:
- Boiling: If youre unsure which cooking method to choose, you might boil your lobster tail to prevent the tails from sticking to the shell. Boiling is great for first-timers and old-timers, offering a reliable technique you can count on. Just keep in mind that boiling larger tails will take a little longer to cook compared to other methods.
- Baking: Baking your lobster tails offers a succulent meal and a gorgeous presentation for guests. You just have to be careful not to overcook your tails, as the meat can dry very quickly. Try putting them on the middle rack of your oven when baking. You can also brush butter on the meat and add spices to prepare the lobster tail for cooking and enhance the dish.
- Steaming: This method of cooking lobster tails is generally faster and arguably the most traditional. Just keep in mind that youll be cooking at a higher temperature, making it even more important not to overcook the tails.
- Grilling: Grilling is one of the best ways to cook lobster tails because it offers that unique char flavor and grilled-line effect to impress guests. You can also add your preferred spices for added flavor. Keep your grilling tools handy to avoid overcooking.
Before cooking, youll need the right size lobster tail. Our best sellers range from 8 ounces to 10 ounces, but we ship lobster tails ranging from 5 ounces to 36 ounces. Youll also find various side dish options and supplies as well, and everything can be shipped overnight so you can enjoy your lobster tails by dinner time tomorrow!
When your lobster tails arrive, follow these steps to properly store and thaw them:
Before using frozen lobster tails, youll want to store them in your freezer until you are ready to thaw and cook them. Once cooked, keep your lobster tails in the coldest part of your fridge in a sealed container. You can also tightly wrap them in plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out. Cooked lobster tails can be stored in the fridge for up to four days in an airtight container. Avoid re-freezing them, which can affect the meats quality and texture.
Is it better to steam or boil lobster tails?
FAQ
Is lobster tail better steamed or boiled?
Steaming is indeed one of the best methods for cooking lobster tails, as it helps retain moisture and flavor while ensuring even cooking. Here are some reasons why steaming is often preferred:
What is the best method for cooking lobster tails?
So, What’s the Best Way to Cook Lobster Tails? The hands-down best way to cook lobster tails is on the grill. Cooked inside the shell, the meat stays tender and sweet (not fishy!) and takes on a slight smokiness.
Which cooking method is best for lobster?
Steaming is a classic way to cook lobster and is even faster than boiling it. Use a steaming basket inside a large pot with a tight-fitting lid.
Does boiling lobster make it taste better?
Flavor: Boiling tends to preserve the natural sweetness and delicate flavor of the lobster meat. The meat remains moist and tender, as it is cooked evenly in hot water. Texture: The texture is generally soft and buttery. Boiling helps maintain the lobster’s natural juiciness.
Are you supposed to boil lobster tail?
Drop the tails one at a time into a large pot of salted boiling water. Cook a 5- to 6-ounce lobster tail for about 5 minutes. Maine Lobster has a great guide about how long to boil different sized lobsters. Transfer the cooked lobsters to a bowl of ice water.
Is steaming the best way to cook lobster?
Steaming is the best way to cook lobster because the lobster meat is less waterlogged and it’s sweeter in flavor because you don’t lose a ton of the flavor in the cooking liquid.