So, you’ve found yourself to be a huge fan of lobster tails. Well, you’re not the only one. They’re tasty, filling, and add a classic touch to recipes and menus. Lobster tail is the go-to dish when you want a quick feel of the taste of seafood or wish to dazzle your guest list. But you may be worried about which way to prepare it.
Most people have come to find that boiling lobster tails is a zero-hassle method of cooking them. But timing is everything, and for an expensive ingredient like it, you need to keep such notice in mind, along with other suggestions.
Why Boil Lobster Tails?
You already know the various cooking methods for lobster tails- grilling, searing, baking, and even steaming. So, you might ask why you should boil lobster tails at all. Well, these simple answers will put your mind at rest;
Easy to Do: Boiling is by far the easiest way to prepare lobster tails, making it the ideal option for newbies. Even someone who’s just heard about lobster tails can prepare it as quickly as possible with this method.
Straightforward Recipe: Unlike the numerous other recipes that pile your head with complex spices and seasonings, you won’t need all that for boiling. Plus, you get the purely natural lobster meat flavor when it’s cooked this way.
Perfect for Zero Butter Diets: Many lobster tail cooking recipes use butter for extra creaminess. And most times, this requirement limits those with zero tolerance for such ingredients. By boiling, you skip such a need and still get tasty lobster tails in the end.
Lobster Tails Boiling Tips
To prepare lobster tails by boiling, you’ll need to follow these steps;
Selecting
It’s always best to go fresh for a tastier experience, but you can also use frozen lobster tails if that’s all you have. If you’re buying fresh, be sure it’s not spoilt by checking the smell and consistency. Such lobster tails should have a dark-brownish shell with greyish inside. If the tails smell like ammonia or have a slimy cottage cheese-like consistency, they’re bad. And also, note that smaller tails are more succulent.
Frozen lobster tails need to be thawed before they’re prepared. So, it would help if you kept them in the fridge for a full day before you cook them. For a quick thaw, put them in a plastic bag and place them in a bowl of cold water/ Then, leave for about an hour.
Cooking
Fill a pot with water and add some salt. Bring to boil and then submerge each lobster tail into the boiling water. Ensure not to overfill, so the tails cook correctly, and if possible, do this in batches of two to six.
You’ll have to consider the size of the lobster tails to determine how long they cook. As such,
- 3-6 ounce lobster tails cook for 3-5 minutes,
- 6 -7 ounce lobster tails cook for 5-6 minutes, and
- 8-10 ounce lobster tails cook for 6-8 minutes.
Serving Boiled Lobster Tails
Once the lobster tails are done, take them down and leave them to cool for a bit. Then, cut the shell off and pull the meat out. You can now serve the lobster tail with any garnish you want and even offer butter dipping for those who care for it.
Interested in trying out boiled lobster tails? Then, check out this fast-track recipe;
Boiled Lobster Tails (3 servings)
Ingredients
- Six lobster tails, 6 ounces each
- Water
- Salt
- Lemon wedges
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Add water to about two-thirds of a saucepan. Then, add salt and bring to boil. With a pair of tongs, lower each lobster’s tail into the boiling water. If the pot is too small, cook them in batches of two or three.
- Boil the tails for 3-5 minutes, or until the shell turns red and the meat is opaque. Then, take them out and cut open the shell to reveal the flesh. Serve with lemon wedges and chopped parsley, along with any of your favorite dipping.
Need more ways to cook lobster tails by boiling? Here’s a video recipe to get you started!