Cooking Frozen Steamed Lobster: A Quick Guide

Cooking frozen steamed lobster is a great way to enjoy a luxurious meal with minimal effort. The gentle heat helps keep the lobster moist and tender. It is important to thaw the lobster before cooking to ensure the meat is tender and not tough. This can be done by leaving the lobster in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight, or by submerging it in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Once thawed, the lobster can be steamed by placing it in a steamer basket over boiling water for 5-10 minutes, depending on its weight.

How to thaw frozen lobster

It is essential to thaw lobster tails before cooking, as this will ensure the meat is fresh, safe to eat, and will taste better. Lobster tails tend to spoil more quickly than whole lobsters, so it is best to cook them soon after thawing. There are three main methods for thawing lobster tails: the overnight method, the quick-thaw method, and the microwave method.

Overnight Method

This method takes around 24 hours but is more foolproof and requires less attention. First, place the lobster tails in a sealable, leak-proof plastic bag, removing as much air from the bag as possible before sealing it. Then, put the bag on a plate and place it in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf, away from any open, fresh foods. Leave the tails to thaw for about 24 hours, give or take a couple, depending on how many tails you have. If you have several tails, ensure they are arranged in a single layer and use multiple bags and plates if needed.

Quick-Thaw Method

This method can thaw lobster tails in about an hour but requires more attention and diligence. For this method, you will need a large bowl filled with cold water. Again, put the tails in a leak-proof bag and remove the air before sealing. Place the bag in the bowl, making sure the water covers the lobster tails. Every 15 minutes, check that the water is somewhere between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If not, empty the water and add fresh water. Continue this process until the meat is tender to the touch. One or two tails may only take about 30 minutes, but three or more will likely need closer to one hour or more.

Microwave Method

The microwave method is the fastest, taking only about 3 minutes. However, it is not recommended as it may partially cook some of the lobster meat and alter its texture. If you are in a hurry, place the lobster tails on a microwave-safe plate and arrange them in a single layer. If your microwave has a defrost setting, choose this and microwave for 3 minutes. If not, microwave in 1-minute intervals. Check the lobster tails after microwaving and ensure the center of the meat is about room temperature, with no ice or frozen parts. Cook the lobster immediately after thawing, as it may start to spoil.

How to steam frozen lobster

Steaming is a great way to cook frozen lobster, as it helps keep the meat moist and tender. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam frozen lobster:

Step 1: Assess Your Frozen Lobster

First, take stock of the type, size, weight, and number of lobsters you have. These factors will impact your cooking time and method. For instance, larger, thicker tails will need more time to steam than smaller ones. It is best to cook similar weights together for even steaming. Also, check the freezing method used, as quick freezing helps retain moisture better than slow freezing.

Step 2: Prepare Your Steamer

You will need a few simple items to steam frozen lobster: a large pot with a lid that gives you a few inches of clearance above the lobsters, a steamer basket or rack to elevate the lobsters above the water, and metal tongs to safely transfer them.

Step 3: Prepare the Water

Add about 1-2 inches of water to the bottom of the pot. Too much water will make the lobster soggy. You can add lemon, Old Bay seasoning, garlic, or other aromatics to the water for extra flavor. Bring the water to a rapid boil over high heat so that steaming starts immediately after you add the lobster.

Step 4: Position the Lobsters in the Steamer

Place the steamer basket or rack at the bottom of the pot, then put the lobster on top. If you don't have a steamer setup, place the lobsters directly into the pot, ensuring they aren't submerged in water. Arrange the lobsters with space between each one for the 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 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 lobsters and your preferred doneness. Use a thermometer, check the antennae or legs, or cut into the tail to confirm your lobster is ready.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Use tongs to transfer the lobster to a platter or plates. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 5 minutes so the juices can redistribute. Crack the tails, claws, legs, etc., and remove the meat for easy eating. Serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, or your favorite dipping sauce. Eat your tender, delicious steamed lobster right away for maximum flavor and moisture!

How to cook frozen lobster in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Frozen lobster tails
• Salted butter
• Garlic
• Lemon juice
• Smoked paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Sea salt
• Black pepper

Method

• Thaw the lobster tails. Place the frozen lobster tails in a tightly-sealed bag on a plate in the refrigerator overnight. Alternatively, place the lobster tails in a bag and submerge them in cold water for 30 minutes to an hour. Change the water every 30 minutes.
• Preheat the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 380°F or 400°F.
• Butterfly the lobster tails. Using kitchen shears or scissors, cut down the center of the shell lengthwise, starting from the end opposite the tail. Be careful not to cut through the bottom shell.
• Skewer the lobster tails. Run a bamboo skewer through the center of the flesh lengthwise to prevent curling.
• Make garlic butter. In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
• Season the lobster. Brush the garlic butter sauce over the lobster meat.
• Cook the lobster. Place the lobster tails in the air fryer basket with the meat facing up. Cook for 4-7 minutes for 4-ounce lobster tails, or until the meat is opaque and has an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

Tips

• It is not recommended to cook frozen lobster tails in the air fryer. Make sure to thaw them first, otherwise, the meat will cook unevenly.
• Cold-water lobsters are preferable to warm-water lobsters as they have a firmer, cleaner-tasting white meat.
• If you don't have a bamboo skewer, you can skip this step and arrange the lobster meat on top of the shell instead.

How to cook frozen lobster in an oven

Cooking frozen lobster in an oven is a simple process, but it does require some preparation. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen lobster in an oven:

Thawing the Lobster:

It is essential to thaw the lobster before cooking it. Place the frozen lobster in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or overnight. This slow thawing process ensures that the lobster defrosts evenly and retains its natural flavour.

Inspection and Cleaning:

Once the lobster is thawed, inspect it for any signs of damage or ice crystals. A high-quality frozen lobster should have a firm texture, its natural colour, and a pleasant ocean scent. Rinse the lobster under cold water to remove any residual ice or particles, then pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 400 °F (204 °C). This is the ideal temperature for baking lobster.

Prepare the Lobster:

For baking, you will need to butterfly the lobster. Cut the top shell of the lobster tails lengthwise down the middle with kitchen shears or a sharp knife. Then, cut through the tails with a knife to split them into two pieces.

Season the Lobster:

Brush the lobster meat with butter and season with salt. You can also add other seasonings or spices to enhance the flavour, such as garlic, lemon, thyme, or parsley.

Bake the Lobster:

Place the lobster halves, shell-side down, on a baking sheet or roasting pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the lobster. For a 5- to 6-ounce lobster tail, bake for about 10 minutes.

Check for Doneness:

A fully cooked lobster will have a bright red shell, and the meat inside should be opaque and firm. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the tail. It should reach 135-140°F (57-60°C) for a fully cooked lobster.

Serve the Lobster:

Remove the lobster from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve the lobster with melted butter, lemon wedges, or your favourite sauce. Enjoy your delicious, oven-baked lobster!

How to cook frozen lobster on a grill

Grilling lobster is a great way to cook this crustacean, infusing it with a smoky flavour. It is best to grill lively, hard-shell lobsters that are about 1-1/2 pounds or larger. Smaller lobsters will cook too quickly on the grill.

First, you need to thaw the lobster. Place the lobster in a plastic bag and set it in a bowl of water in the fridge for 24 hours.

Once thawed, butterfly the lobster by cutting the top shell of the lobster tails lengthwise down the middle with kitchen shears. Then, cut through the tails with a knife to split the tails into two pieces.

Next, brush the lobster meat with melted butter and season with salt and pepper. You could also add other seasonings like paprika, crushed garlic, or your favourite herbs (like tarragon).

Preheat your grill to medium heat for 15 minutes, aiming for a temperature of 350 to 400ºF. Place the lobster halves shell-side down on the grill grates and cook until the shells are bright red and the juices that come out of the shell turn white. This should take about 8 to 10 minutes.

Lobster cooks quickly, so keep a close eye on the grill. It is important not to overcook the lobster, as the meat will become tough and rubbery. The meat is done when it starts to firm up and turns opaque white.

Serve the grilled lobster with melted butter and lemon wedges for squeezing over.

Frequently asked questions