Steaming Frozen Lobster: How Long Should You Steam?

Cooking frozen, pre-cooked lobster is a quick and easy process, but it's important to remember to thaw your lobster before cooking. The ideal way to defrost your lobster is to place it in the refrigerator for 24 hours or, at the very least, overnight. Once thawed, there are several ways to cook your lobster, including boiling, steaming, grilling, and baking. If you're looking for a healthy option, steaming is a great way to go. To steam your lobster, you'll need a large pot with a lid, a steamer basket or rack, and metal tongs. Fill the pot with about an inch or two of water, adding salt, vinegar, or aromatics like lemon or garlic to the water for extra flavor. Bring the water to a boil, place the lobsters in the steamer basket, and cover. Steam for 8-13 minutes, depending on the size of your lobster, and you're ready to serve!

How to steam frozen pre-cooked lobster

Steaming frozen pre-cooked lobster is a great way to enjoy luxurious seafood with minimal effort. The gentle heat re-warms the pre-cooked lobster while keeping it moist and tender.

Step 1: Assess Your Frozen Lobster

Take stock of the lobster packages in your freezer to determine:

• Type: Whole lobster, lobster tails, lobster claws, split lobster, etc. Size and cut will impact cooking time.
• Weight: This determines how long to steam. Larger, thicker tails need more time than smaller ones.
• Number: Be sure your pot can fit all lobsters without crowding. Cook similar weights together for even steaming.
• Freezing method: Was it blast frozen? Quick freezing helps retain moisture better than slow freezing.

Step 2: Prepare Your Steamer

You will need the following items to steam frozen lobster:

• Large pot with a lid: Choose one that gives you a few inches of clearance above the lobsters.
• Steamer basket or rack: This elevates the lobsters above the water so they don't get soggy. If you don't have one, place them directly in the pot.
• Metal tongs: This lets you safely transfer lobsters in and out of the steam. Avoid piercing the delicate meat.

Step 3: Prepare Your Pot

• Add about 1-2 inches of water to the bottom of the pot. Too much water will make the lobster soggy.
• For flavour, add lemon, Old Bay seasoning, garlic, or other aromatics to the water.
• Bring the water to a rapid boil over high heat so steaming starts immediately after adding the lobster.

Step 4: Position Lobsters in Steamer

• Place the steamer basket or rack at the bottom of the pot, then place the lobster directly on top.
• If you don't have a steamer basket or rack, place the lobsters directly in the pot. Just ensure they aren't submerged in water.
• Arrange all lobsters with space between each one for steam to circulate effectively.
• Use metal tongs to safely transfer frozen lobsters from the freezer to the steamer.

Step 5: Steam Based on Weight

Refer to these general guidelines for steaming times:

• 0.5 lb lobster tails: 5-7 minutes
• 0.75-1 lb lobster tails: 7-9 minutes
• 1-1.5 lb lobster: 10-13 minutes
• 1.5-2 lb lobster: 13-15 minutes

The time depends on your individual frozen lobsters and personal preference for doneness.

Step 6: Check Your Lobster is Ready

Use these techniques to confirm your lobster is ready:

• Insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the tail – it should reach 140°F.
• The meat should be opaque throughout when cut or cracked open.
• The antennae or legs should detach easily when given a gentle tug.

Step 7: Rest and Serve Immediately

• Use tongs to transfer the lobster to a platter or plates.
• Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 5 minutes so the juices redistribute.
• Crack tails, claws, legs, etc., and remove meat for easy eating.
• Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, or your favourite dipping sauce.

Eat your tender, delicious steamed lobster right away for maximum flavour and moisture!

How long to steam frozen pre-cooked lobster claws

It is essential to thaw frozen pre-cooked lobster claws before steaming them. If you don't, the meat will stick to the shell, and it will be tough instead of tender. The best way to thaw lobster is to put it in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least 24 hours. If you are in a hurry, you can defrost the lobster a bit in a microwave, or by placing it in a plastic bag and immersing it in cold water for 30 minutes, changing the water every 5-10 minutes.

Once your lobster claws are thawed, you can steam them. Start by adding about 1-2 inches of water to a large pot with a lid that gives you a few inches of clearance above the lobsters. For flavour, add lemon, Old Bay seasoning, garlic, or other aromatics to the water. Bring the water to a rapid boil over high heat.

Next, place a steamer basket or rack at the bottom of the pot, and then put the lobster claws on top. If you don't have a steamer basket or rack, you can place the lobster claws directly in the pot, but make sure they aren't submerged in the water. Arrange the lobster claws with space between each one for the steam to circulate effectively.

Use metal tongs to safely transfer the lobster claws from the freezer to the steamer. Steam the lobster claws for 10-15 minutes, depending on their size. You can tell they are done when the shells are bright red and the meat is opaque and firm.

How long to steam frozen pre-cooked lobster tails

Cooking frozen pre-cooked lobster tails is a quick and easy process. However, it is important to remember to thaw the lobster tails before cooking, otherwise, the meat will likely end up tasting tough. The ideal way to thaw lobster tails is to put them in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours or overnight. To do this, place the lobster tails in a plastic bag and then put the bag in a pot of water in the fridge. You may need to change the water at least once.

If you are in a hurry, you can defrost the lobster tails in a microwave before cooking, although this is not ideal. Another alternative is to put the lobster tails in a plastic bag and immerse them in cold water without refrigerating. Change the water every 5-10 minutes and do not let the lobster tails sit out for more than 30 minutes.

Once the lobster tails are thawed, you can steam them. To do this, start by putting about half an inch of water in a pot with a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of vinegar. You can also add lemon, Old Bay seasoning, garlic, or other aromatics to the water for flavor. Bring the water to a rapid boil over high heat.

Next, place a steamer basket or rack at the bottom of the pot and then put the lobster tails directly on top. If you don't have a steamer basket or rack, you can place the lobster tails directly in the pot, just make sure they aren't submerged in water. Use metal tongs to safely transfer the lobster tails from the freezer to the steamer.

The steaming time will depend on the weight of the lobster tails. Refer to the following guidelines for steaming times:

• 5 lb lobster tails: 5-7 minutes
• 75-1 lb lobster tails: 7-9 minutes

1-1.5 lb lobster: 10-13 minutes

5-2 lb lobster: 13-15 minutes

Use the following techniques to confirm that your lobster tails are ready:

• Insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the tail – it should reach 140°F.
• The meat should be opaque throughout when cut or cracked open.
• The antennae or legs should detach easily when given a gentle tug.

Once the lobster tails are cooked, use tongs to transfer them to a platter or plates. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 5 minutes so the juices can redistribute. Crack the tails and remove the meat for easy eating. Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, or your favorite dipping sauce.

How to tell when frozen pre-cooked lobster is done steaming

It is important to remember that you should always thaw your lobster before steaming it. If you don't, the meat will stick to the shell, and it will be tough instead of tender.

There are several ways to tell when your frozen pre-cooked lobster is done steaming. Firstly, you can use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the lobster. The lobster is ready when the internal temperature reaches 140°F to 160°F. Additionally, you can cut or crack open the shell to check if the meat is opaque throughout. You can also try to gently tug on the antennae or legs; if they come off easily, the lobster is done. The shell should be a bright red colour, and the meat should be firm.

How to serve steamed frozen pre-cooked lobster

Preparing and serving steamed frozen pre-cooked lobster is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to serve steamed frozen pre-cooked lobster:

Choosing the Right Lobster:

Before you begin, it is essential to select high-quality frozen lobster. Look for lobsters that have been blast-frozen, as this method helps retain moisture and flavour better than slow freezing. Vacuum-sealed packaging is also a good indicator, as it prevents freezer burn. The meat should be in solid, uniform pieces, and the shell should be shiny and intact, with no dry spots or discolouration.

Thawing the Lobster:

Thawing the lobster is a crucial step. It is best to thaw the lobster slowly in the refrigerator for about 24 hours or at least overnight. Place the lobster in a plastic bag and then put the bag in a bowl of water in the fridge. Change the water at least once during the thawing process. If you are in a hurry, you can use the cold-water method by submerging the vacuum-sealed lobster in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until it is thawed.

Preparing Your Steamer:

To steam the lobster, you will need a large pot with a lid, a steamer basket or rack, and metal tongs. Add about 1-2 inches of water to the pot, ensuring that there is enough clearance above the lobsters. Bring the water to a rapid boil over high heat. You can also add lemon, Old Bay seasoning, garlic, or other aromatics to the water for additional flavour.

Positioning the Lobsters:

Place the steamer basket or rack at the bottom of the pot and then put the lobster directly on top. If you don't have a steamer setup, you can place the lobsters directly in the pot, ensuring they aren't submerged in water. Use metal tongs to safely transfer the lobsters from the freezer to the steamer. Leave some space between each lobster to allow the steam to circulate effectively.

Steaming the Lobster:

The steaming time will depend on the weight of the lobster. As a general guideline, steam 0.5 lb lobster tails for 5-7 minutes, 0.75-1 lb lobster tails for 7-9 minutes, 1-1.5 lb lobsters for 10-13 minutes, and 1.5-2 lb lobsters for 13-15 minutes. The lobster is ready when the meat is opaque throughout and the antennae or legs detach easily when gently tugged.

Resting and Serving:

Use tongs to transfer the lobster to a platter or plates. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Crack the tails, claws, and legs, and remove the meat for easy eating. Serve the lobster immediately with melted butter, lemon wedges, or your favourite dipping sauce.

Additional Tips:

• If you are steaming whole lobsters, cut lengthwise underneath the tail to allow heat to penetrate the meat, and increase the steaming time to 15-18 minutes for 1.5-2 lb lobsters.
• For lobster tails, use kitchen shears to carefully cut through the soft underside shell lengthwise to expose the meat. Position the cuts facing up in the steamer so that the seasonings penetrate the meat.
• For lobster claws, twist and crack the shell slightly before steaming to help the heat penetrate faster.
• You can also add broth, wine, or bold spices to infuse flavours into the smaller cuts.

Frequently asked questions