Boiling Lobster Tails

Boiling – The Easiest Way To Cook Lobster Tails

Boiling lobster tails is a great choice because if stored and thawed your lobster tails properly, this is the cooking technique we recommend to minimize your tails sticking to the shell! Boiling is always a safe bet and if you are a first-timer or old-timer, this is the technique you can count on. Keep in mind larger lobster tails take longer to cook. And just another reminder, it’s always better to under-cook your lobster tails than to over-cook them. You can always drop them back in the boiling water if they aren’t done. We also recommend adding some Maine sea salt to the water before boiling so you can add more of that signature lobster flavor you love. This will actually reproduce the same consistency as ocean water!

 

Ingredients You’ll Need:

✔ 2-6 Maine Lobster Tails

✔ 1 Tablespoon of Butter Per Tail

 2 oz Of Maine Sea Salt

Recipe Notes

Prep Time: 2 Minutes

Cook Time: 3-13 Minutes
Serves: 2-6 People

How to Boil Lobster Tails – A Step-By-Step Guide

 

2. Bring a pot of water to a boil.

 

3. Reduce heat to a soft boil and add Maine sea salt.

 

4. Drop tails in one at a time and set your kitchen timer for the times listed below. The times are the same for larger quantities.

 

5. Cool the cooked lobster tails right away with cold water or ice to keep them from overcooking.

boiled lobster tails  

6. Serve and enjoy your boiled lobster tails!

How Long To Boil Lobster Tails

Thawed lobster tails will typically take 3-13 minutes to cook when boiled. This varies based on the tail size and quantity.

BOILING LOBSTER TAILS TIME CHART
QUANTITY
2-6
2-6
2-6
2-6
2-6
2-6
TAIL SIZE
3 to 6 oz.
6 to 7 oz.
8 to 10 oz.
10 to 16 oz.
16 to 20 oz.
20 to 28 oz.
COOK TIME
3-5 minutes
5-6 minutes
6-8 minutes
8-10 minutes
10 minutes
10-13 minutes

Tips For Preparing the Lobster Tails for Boiling

Preparation is the key to cooking delicious lobster tails. Luckily for you, preparation is simple! To prepare your lobster tails for boiling, thaw them out thoroughly. If you try to cook the lobster while it’s still fully or partially frozen, it will dry out when cooking, rendering it rubbery. Thaw the lobster in a cold water bath or in the refrigerator overnight.

Another tip for preparing lobster tails is to use a metal or wooden skewer so the lobster tail stays straight while cooking. This isn’t crucial to the recipe, but it will keep your tails from curling as they cook in the lobster pot.

The Best Way to Serve Boiled Lobster Tails

When you cook a lobster tail by boiling, there’s only one real way to serve it — with melted butter! This traditional dipper is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. However, if you feel that melted butter lacks the zazz you’re looking for, there are plenty of other ways you can add it.

One of these ways is by adding some minced garlic into your butter while it melts to add that good garlicky aroma. Or, you can add lemon juice to your melted butter to give it an extra citrusy kick, and then garnish it with some parsley for a better appearance. Better yet, add both to your butter!

If you want to add some seasoning when the lobster is done, have at it! Salt and pepper are time-tested and sure to please, but you can spice things up by using Old Bay or other creole seasonings.