There may be times when you need to freeze a full lobster or two, like if you purchased on-sale lobsters in bulk and have more than you need right now, or if a couple of dinner guests had to cancel. We know you’d rather hang on to those extra lobsters, but once you buy live lobster, you only have a small window of time to cook them.
Knowing how to freeze lobster correctly can come in handy. Of course, you’ll also need to know how to thaw them safely to prevent contamination. Our helpful guide will explain how to complete both processes, so you’ll never need to worry about wasting Maine lobster.
The most common freezing method for lobster is freezing cooked meat. Probably the quickest, no-fuss way to cook lobster is to steam them.
Freezing live lobsters is a controversial topic that often sparks curiosity and debate. As sentient beings capable of feeling pain, subjecting lobsters to freezing temperatures seems inhumane to many. However, others argue that freezing may be an effective way to preserve lobsters for later use. So what really happens when you freeze a live lobster? Let’s explore this complex issue in detail.
Can Lobsters Survive Being Frozen?
The short answer is no Lobsters cannot survive being frozen solid. When exposed to sub-zero temperatures, their bodily functions begin to slow down rapidly. Eventually, the extreme cold causes the lobster to enter a state of torpor where all metabolic processes come to a standstill Although some limited studies have shown that a very small percentage of lobsters may be resuscitated after freezing, most researchers agree that freezing is fatal for the crustacean.
Is Freezing Live Lobsters Painful?
Research on whether lobsters can feel pain is still ongoing, but many experts believe they likely experience some form of discomfort when frozen alive. Lobsters have receptors that allow them to perceive and respond to harmful stimuli. Freezing causes ice crystals to form in their bodies, damaging cells and tissues. While the freezing itself may not be painful, the subsequent cellular disruption and organ dysfunction likely causes significant stress or suffering.
Does Freezing Affect Lobster Quality?
Yes, freezing can diminish the flavor, texture, and overall quality of lobster meat Enzymes start leaching from the lobster’s tissues when frozen, leading to degradation of proteins This causes the meat to become mushy and lose its sweet flavor once thawed. The changes happen slowly at first but accelerate over time. Even brief freezing can toughen the meat’s texture. For best quality, lobsters are best cooked fresh.
Can You Freeze Lobster To Cook Later?
It is not recommended to freeze live lobsters for later cooking Freezing will kill the lobster and negatively impact flavor and texture However, you can successfully freeze cooked lobster meat. The key is to blanch or boil the lobster briefly first to denature enzymes, then chill, dry, and freeze the whole cooked lobster. The frozen meat will keep for 9-12 months and can be thawed to use as needed.
What Is The Most Humane Way To Freeze Lobsters?
From an ethical standpoint, the most humane option is to avoid freezing live lobsters altogether. However, if you wish to freeze pre-cooked lobsters for storage, experts recommend first chilling them for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator or icy brine. This hypothermic storage slows their metabolism and renders them unconscious before freezing. Then cook briefly in boiling water or steam before freezing.
What About Freezing Other Live Seafood?
In general, subjecting live seafood like crabs, crayfish, mussels, and clams to freezing temperatures is not recommended either. These animals may not have as advanced nociception as lobsters but can still perceive and react to harmful conditions. Alternatives like hypothermic storage before cooking are more humane options. It is best to cook such seafood as soon as possible after harvest.
Ethical Concerns Around Freezing Lobsters
A growing number advocate against freezing live lobsters on ethical grounds. Lobsters, like other decapod crustaceans, are complex organisms capable of learning and experiencing stress. Invertebrate welfare science suggests they likely feel pain and discomfort when handled in extreme ways. Many argue that intentionally freezing a live animal to death violates basic animal welfare principles.
Sustainable Alternatives To Freezing
Instead of freezing, concerned consumers can support lobstermen and retailers who use sustainable harvest and storage methods. Keeping lobsters in cold circulated seawater untilmoments before cooking preserves freshness without cruelty. Dispatching lobsters swiftly before cooking is another ethical practice. Supporting the ongoing development of hypothermic anaesthesia, electrocution, and chemical methods to sedate lobsters during storage is also impactful.
The Bottom Line
Freezing live lobsters at home is inadvisable for both ethical and culinary reasons. Current research suggests that while freezing may prolong shelf life, it ultimately kills the lobster and diminishes meat quality. More humane alternatives exist, both for storage and cooking. Conscientious consumers should consider supporting sustainable, ethical lobster fishing and retail practices instead of subjecting these fascinating creatures to a painful icy demise.
Can I Freeze Live Lobster?
Yes and no. You can take live lobsters and prep them for freezing, but you shouldn’t stick your lobsters right in the fridge. If you don’t want to remove the meat before freezing, here’s what you can do instead:
- Blanch lobsters in rapidly boiling, salted water for one full minute.
- Chill lobsters in an ice bath for at least 15 minutes, and then pat them dry and remove excess water.
- Place lobsters in freezer bags, removing as much air as you can, or use vacuum-sealed bags.
- Place bags in the freezer with plenty of room around them for air circulation. Ensure that your freezer is at 0 degrees F or below.
How to Thaw Lobster
You’ll need to thaw lobster meat for about 24 hours in the refrigerator, so plan ahead before you’re ready to use it.
Place the bags on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator on a towel or plate, away from any other meats or anything that could contaminate them. Keep the bags flat.
If you need to thaw lobsters quicker, you can, in a pinch, thaw them under cold, running water. It should take between 30 minutes to an hour for the meat to thaw completely.
Once thawed, you can warm the meat in the oven for a few minutes.
To thaw full lobsters, allow them 24 hours in the refrigerator before placing them in a pot of salted, boiling water for about 15 minutes to finish cooking them thoroughly.
How to Freeze and Preserve your Lobster Tail
FAQ
Can you freeze a live lobster?
Simply wrap the whole lobster or lobster portions in moisture-vapor resistant wrapping and freeze.
Is lobster good after being frozen?
Lobster meat that has been picked and frozen will have an acceptable shelf life of 3-6 months if stored at temperatures of 0° F (-18° C) or lower.
What happens when you put a live lobster in ice?
The cold, wet environment will cause the lobsters to become slow and sluggish, but they’ll keep just fine. Never freeze live seafood. Lobsters can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking, but be prepared to cook them as soon as you can. The fresher, the better!
How long can you keep dead lobster in the freezer?
How to Prepare and Freeze Whole In-shell Lobster: Properly prepared whole or “in the shell” lobster has a good quality shelf-life of 9 to 12 months.
Can you cook lobster from frozen?
While it’s possible to cook a lobster directly from frozen, the results won’t be as optimal. Thawing the lobster before cooking ensures even and thorough cooking, resulting in a tastier and more enjoyable dish. 6. Does freezing a live lobster affect its taste?
What happens if you Thaw a frozen lobster?
There have been experiments showing that some lobsters can survive being frozen solid at extremely cold temperatures like -40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when thawed, the texture and flavor of the lobster meat suffers dramatically. Enzymes start leaking, making the meat mushy with an unappetizing flavor.
How long do Maine lobsters last in the freezer?
Cooked lobster meat or whole lobsters will last 4-6 months in a 0°F freezer before quality declines. Lobster tails can last 6+ months frozen. Can you freeze live Maine lobsters?
How long can you keep frozen lobster meat?
For best quality, use frozen lobster meat within 4-6 months. Properly frozen lobster can be stored in the freezer for up to one year before the flavor and texture declines noticeably. Portioning the meat into meal-sized servings makes it easy to thaw just what you need. You can also freeze whole cooked lobsters instead of removing the meat first.
Did frozen lobsters come back to life?
This idea was born from experiments that made a small splash in the national news about 10 years ago, in which a very small number of lobsters that were frozen solid in minus 40-degree brine and then thawed in 28-degree seawater survived the process and “came back to life.”