Tiffany Haney
Steaming lobster tails is a great way to prepare this shellfish, resulting in tender, succulent meat. This traditional cooking method is faster than boiling and helps to preserve the delicate flavour of the lobster. It's also a healthier option, as the moist-heat cooking process prevents the tail from drying out. To steam lobster tails in a pan, you'll need to add water, a steamer insert, and of course, lobster tails. The steaming time will depend on the size of the tails, but generally, it should take around 6 to 8 minutes for the lobster to cook through.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of lobster | Warm or cold water lobster tails |
| Preparation | Defrost frozen lobster tails in cool water for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator |
| Butterfly the tails by cutting down the middle of the top shell with kitchen shears | |
| Place lemon slices in the steamer basket and lay the lobster tails on top | |
| Water | Add 1-2 inches of water to the bottom of a large stockpot |
| Add salt to the water | |
| Place a steamer insert inside the pot so it sits just above the water level | |
| Cooking time | Steam for 6-8 minutes |
| The lobster is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F (60-63°C) or 165°F | |
| Rest the lobster for 2-3 minutes | |
| Serving | Serve with melted butter and a slice of lemon |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the lobster tails
Preparing lobster tails for steaming requires a few simple steps. Firstly, decide whether you will be using fresh or frozen lobster tails. If you opt for frozen tails, ensure they are fully defrosted before proceeding. Place the lobster tails on a flat surface and use sharp kitchen shears or a knife to butterfly them. This involves cutting down the middle of the top shell towards the tail's fins, being careful not to cut the tail itself. Gently pry the shell open and use your fingers to separate the meat from the shell, lifting it through the slit so that it rests on top. You may also need to devein the lobster tail at this stage.
Once the lobster tails are prepared, it's time to set up your steaming apparatus. Fill a large pot with approximately 1-2 inches of water and place it on the stove. Add a generous amount of salt to the water, along with any desired seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, Old Bay Seasoning, or fresh lemon juice. Bring the water to a boil.
To steam multiple lobster tails, use a steamer basket or an upturned colander placed inside the pot. This ensures that the lobster tails are not submerged in the water but are suspended just above the boiling water level. Line the steamer basket with slices of fresh lemon, if desired.
Finally, arrange the butterflied lobster tails in a single layer in the steamer basket, with the shell curve facing down. Make sure the tails are not overcrowded to ensure even cooking. Cover the pot and begin the steaming process, maintaining a consistent temperature throughout.
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Preparing the pot
To steam lobster tails in a pan, you'll need to prepare the pot first. Start by filling a pot with about 1-2 inches of water. Make sure the water level is below the steamer basket or rack. You can add a little beer to the water for a unique flavour. Then, place a steamer insert, such as a metal steamer basket or an upturned colander, inside the pot. The steamer basket should sit just above the water level. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a colander placed upside down inside the pot to suspend the tails above the boiling water.
If you're using frozen lobster tails, it's important to defrost them before cooking. Place them in a bowl of cool water for about 30 minutes, and ensure they are fully defrosted before proceeding. Fresh lobster tails will give you the best flavour, but if you're using frozen ones, make sure to defrost them properly.
Once the pot is prepared, you'll place the lobster tails in the steamer basket or on the rack. If your lobster tails are still in their shells, it's recommended to butterfly them before steaming. This involves cutting down the middle of the top shell towards the fins of the tail, being careful not to cut the tail itself. Then, gently pull the shell apart and separate the meat from the shell, lifting it through the slit to rest on top. You can also run a wooden skewer through the tails to prevent them from curling during steaming.
After the lobster tails are prepared and placed in the steamer basket, you can proceed to the steaming process. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. The steaming time will depend on the size of the lobster tails, but generally, they will take around 6-8 minutes to cook.
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Cooking the lobster tails
Firstly, if you're using frozen lobster tails, you'll need to defrost them. Place them in a bowl of cool water for about 30 minutes, or defrost them in the refrigerator.
Next, prepare your pot. Fill a large stockpot with around 1-2 inches of water and place it on the stove. You'll want to bring the water to a boil, so turn the heat up to medium-high. Place a steamer insert, metal steamer basket, or an upturned colander inside the pot, ensuring it sits just above the water level. You can line the steamer basket with lemon slices for extra flavour.
Now, prepare your lobster tails. Many recipes recommend butterflying the tails before steaming, as this helps the tails cook evenly and makes the meat easier to eat. To butterfly the lobster tails, use sharp kitchen shears or a knife to cut down the middle of the top shell towards the tail, being careful not to cut the tail itself. Gently pull the shell apart and separate the meat from the shell, lifting it through the slit so that it rests on top. Try to keep the end of the tail attached to the shell. If your lobster tail needs to be deveined, do so now.
To prevent the tails from curling while steaming, run a wooden or metal skewer through them. You can also add a little beer to the water for a unique twist.
Once the water is boiling, it's time to add the lobster tails. Place them in the steamer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and standing them up with the shell curve facing down. Cover the pot and start timing. Steam the lobster tails for 6 to 8 minutes, depending on their size. You'll know the lobster is done when the shell turns bright red and the meat becomes opaque white. The internal temperature should reach 140-165°F.
Finally, remove the lobster tails from the steamer using tongs and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious, tender steamed lobster tails!
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Removing the lobster tails from the steamer
Once your lobster tails are steamed, remove them from the steamer using tongs. Be very careful as the tails will be hot. Allow the lobster tails to cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve the lobster tails as they are or with some melted butter and a slice of lemon.
It is important to note that steaming lobster tails is faster than other cooking methods and arguably the most traditional. However, it is crucial not to overcook the tails as they are cooking at a higher temperature.
You can also prevent the tails from curling while steaming by running a wooden or metal skewer through them. This will ensure that the tails lie flat on the plate when served.
Additionally, the steaming time for lobster tails depends on their size. Make sure to use the weight of your individual tail, not the total weight of all the tails being cooked. Start your timer when the steaming water returns to a boil.
Look for a bright red shell and opaque white lobster meat to know when the lobster is ready. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check if the lobster is done. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the lobster tail. The temperature should read between 140 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit (60 and 63 degrees Celsius).
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Serving the lobster tails
Once you've steamed your lobster tails, there are several ways to serve them. You can keep it classic and simple by serving the tails with melted butter and a slice of lemon, or get creative with a variety of sauces and side dishes.
If you want to keep the lobster meat in the shell, you can place it on a bed of lemon slices, or serve it on the shell. Alternatively, you can remove the meat from the shell and place it on a plate with your chosen accompaniments.
For a simple side, a fresh, light salad is a great option, such as a Southern Cucumber Salad. For something more indulgent, creamy risotto is a good choice. If you want to keep things classic, serve the lobster with melted butter and a wedge of lemon for an extra burst of zesty citrus. You can also add a garlic herb butter for an extra kick of flavour. For a dairy-free option, swap the butter for warmed olive oil with lemon zest and minced garlic.
For a unique twist, you could try a lobster roll, or lobster mac and cheese. For a citrusy option, serve your lobster tails with a lime butter sauce. If you want to add some spice, try a jalapeno butter sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
Add 1-2 inches of water to the bottom of a large stockpot.
Steam the lobster tails for 6 to 8 minutes, depending on their size.
Look for a bright red shell and opaque white lobster meat. You can also use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be between 140 and 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lobster tails can be served with melted butter, a slice of lemon, and fresh herbs such as parsley or chives.
