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    Home » All Recipes » Main Dishes

    Steamed Lobster Tail

    Published: May 23, 2022 · Modified: May 23, 2022 by Jamie · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Steamed lobster tails with text overlay.
    Steamed lobster tails with text overlay.

    Steamed lobster tail is tender, juicy, and succulent! It's steamed in a pot of boiling water with flavorings inside a steaming basket until perfectly cooked!

    Steamed lobster tails with lemon and parsley on a plate.

    Steamed lobster tail is one of the easiest preparations of lobster tail! It's gently steamed in a pot which allows for a moist, tender, and perfectly cooked lobster tail that's not rubbery or overcooked.

    It's a great way to serve lobster tail and perfect for special occasions like Valentine's Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and anniversary or date night dinners. If you prefer using the oven, try our Broiled Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter!

    Fork and knife icon.

    Why steam lobster tails?

    • Steaming allows for gentle cooking in a moist environment which leads to tender, moist lobster tails.
    • It's easy to regulate the temperature by adjusting the burner.
    • You can easily tell when the lobster is fully cooked. Simply feel for firm flesh and look for an opaque color.
    Steamed lobster tails that have been butterflied next to lemon and parsley.
    Fork and knife icon.

    INGREDIENTS

    Lobster tail cleaned and thawed on paper towels.
    • Lobster tails - Choose ones with firm, uniformly colored flesh. Avoid ones that have a fishy smell or cracked shells.
    • Optional flavorings - Lemon, garlic, butter, parsley, Old Bay seasoning.

    Thaw frozen lobster tails

    Refrigerator (overnight method) - Set frozen lobster tails on a plate topped with paper towels and place it inside a resealable bag. The paper towels will absorb excess liquid. Allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge.

    Faster method - Place frozen lobster tails inside a resealable bag and let out as much air as possible. Place the bag in a bowl of cold water and refresh the water every 15 to 20 minutes until the lobster is completely thawed.

    Steps

    Steps to butterfly a lobster tail.
    1. Butterfly the lobster tails: Take kitchen shears and cut a straight line down to just before the tail fin.
    2. Spread the shell open and lift the meat out and above the shell and place it on top. You can use a spoon to help detach the meat if needed.
    Butterflied lobster tail.
    1. Make sure the meat is centered on the shell and fully opened. Optional: Insert a skewer or toothpick into the meat to keep it from curling.
    2. Place the lobster tails in a steamer basket and place it into a steaming pot filled with 1 to 2 inches of boiling water. Steam with the lid closed until fully cooked, anywhere from 6 to 8 minutes for small to medium tails or 8 to 12 minutes for large tails. Look for firm and white opaque flesh with bright red shells.
    Butterflied lobster tails in a steaming pot with a steaming basket.

    Optional herbs and spices can be added to the water for more flavor. Garlic, lemon slices, peppercorns, Old Bay seasoning, and fresh herbs are great additions.

    Steamed lobster tails with tender, moist meat and red shells.

    The best way to serve steamed lobster tail is alongside melted or clarified butter with a few wedges of lemon. Enjoy!

    More recipes:

    • Broiled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter
    • Remoulade Sauce | Crab Cake Sauce
    • 15 Minute Cilantro Lime Shrimp
    • Classic Caesar Salad
    Steamed lobster tails that have been butterflied.

    Steamed Lobster Tail

    These steamed lobster tails are tender, juicy, and succulent! They're steamed in a pot of water with flavorings until perfectly cooked!
    5 from 54 votes
    Pin Share Print
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 7 mins
    Total Time 12 mins
    Course dinner, entree, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2

    ☑ Ingredients
     

    • 2 lobster tails

    Optional Seasonings

    • lemon slices
    • garlic
    • fresh herbs
    • Old Bay seasoning
    • peppercorns
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    Instructions
     

    • Butterfly the tails: Using kitchen shears, cut a straight line down the top center of the shell to just before the tail fins. Spread the shell open, lift the meat out, and place it on top of the shell. Use a spoon to help detach the meat from the shell if needed.
      Optional: Insert a toothpick or skewer into the meat to keep it from curling.
      Butterflied lobster tail.
    • Fill Steam Pot: Fill a steaming pot with 1 to 2 inches of water and add optional seasonings if using. Bring to a boil. Place the lobster tails into a steamer basket and insert it into the pot, making sure the water doesn't reach the lobster.
      Butterflied lobster tails in a steaming pot with a steaming basket.
    • Steam: Steam the lobster tails with the lid closed until fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes for small to medium tails and 8 to 10 minutes for large tails. Check after 5 minutes to prevent overcooking, but avoid opening the lid otherwise.
      They're fully cooked when the flesh is firm to the touch and white and opaque in color. The shells should be bright red and the internal temperature should reach 140°F to 145°F at the thickest part of the meat. Serve with melted butter and lemon. Enjoy!
      Steamed lobster tails with tender, moist meat and red shells.

    ✎ Recipe Notes

    Thawing lobster tails:
    • Refrigerator (overnight method) - Set frozen lobster tails on a plate topped with paper towels and place it inside a resealable bag. The paper towels will absorb excess liquid. Allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge.
    • Faster method - Place frozen lobster tails inside a resealable bag and let out as much air as possible. Place the bag in a bowl of cold water and refresh the water every 15 to 20 minutes until the lobster is completely thawed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 49kcal | Protein: 10g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 127mg | Vitamin A: 3IU | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was and give it a 5 star rating! Tag @drivemehungry to show off your creations! I love seeing your photos!

    *Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.

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