Cooking Lobster Tails: How to Grill, Boil, and Bake Lobster Tails at Home

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cooked lobster tail and rice

Photo by Erin Pawlicki licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Cooking lobster seems a bit trickier than it is, which is why a lot of people love to eat it but shy away from cooking it themselves. When you order lobster tails at a restaurant, though, you’re not only paying a pretty penny for the meat itself but also extra money for the restaurant to cash in on your meal. Knowing how to cook these delicacies at home can save you money and you can perfect them for your taste buds.

What’s the Best Way to Make Lobster Tails?

Spoiler alert: There’s no one best way to cook lobster tail. There are several ways to prepare them, so you aren’t limited to one method. They taste just as delicious whether you boil, grill, or bake them. Some other techniques include frying, steaming, and broiling, but we’re going to cover the top three easiest methods for you to perfect at home.

Boiling: Easy Lobster Tail Cooking

Boiling is one of the most straightforward methods to learn because you’ll need nothing more than your lobsters and some boiling water to cook them in. They only take a few minutes to finish, so you can have a yummy meal prepared for the family quickly.

When you order from Maine Lobster House, your tails will arrive frozen, so you’ll need to thaw them first. Place them in a large bowl with cold water for about 30 minutes. If they’re not entirely thawed, put fresh cold water into the bowl and give them another 15 minutes or so. Then, start cooking:

  1. Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the tails you’re cooking. Make sure you don’t stuff the pot. The tails shouldn’t be overcrowded, and instead should be able to move freely in the pot of water.
  2. Bring the water to a slow, steady boil and add a pinch of sea salt.
  3. Slowly lower each tail separately into the pot with tongs.
  4. Allow the water to reach a slow, steady boil again.
  5. Cook up to six six-ounce tails for about 4 minutes or seven-ounces for about 5 minutes. Larger ones may need about ten minutes of cook time. The meat should look white instead of translucent.
  6. Remove tails one-by-one with tongs and lay them on a towel-lined plate to dry and cool.

Check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Boil Lobster

Baking: Quick, Healthy Cooking

Baking is a rapid, hands-off method for cooking lobster tails. After preparing your lobsters, you don’t need to do anything besides thawing your meat the same as you would for boiling and then stick them in the oven!

  1. Preheat your oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Cut the top of the shell lengthwise down to the end of the tail and crack the bottom slightly to allow heat to penetrate.
  3. Remove the meat without pulling it off the shell altogether, allowing it to lay somewhat outside the shell.
  4. Remove the vein and discard it.
  5. Add a small amount of water onto a baking pan with sides and place the tails on the pan, leaving space between them.
  6. Place a small slab of butter and your favorite seasonings on the meat of each lobster.
  7. Allow to cook for about 1 ½ minute per ounce, or when a thermometer in the thickest part of the meat reads 140-degrees Fahrenheit.

Check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Bake Lobster Tail

Grilling: Flavorful, Summertime Cooking

Grilling can provide some of the best flavors for your lobster tails, especially for summer cookouts. Again, make sure you completely thaw your lobsters before attempting to cook them.

  1. Bring a large pot of water (enough to cover the tails) to a soft boil and place each tail, one at a time, carefully into the water. Allow boiling for about two minutes for each tail. This helps prevent the meat from overcooking on the grill.
  2. Remove them from the water and allow to dry. Meanwhile, preheat your gas grill on medium or get your charcoals heated up.
  3. Place a long grilling skewer into each tail and lay them on a portable grill rack with the top down so that the softer side of the shell faces up.
  4. Cut the shell lengthwise down to the end of the tail and pull the shell back gently.
  5. Pour melted butter over the meat along with your favorite seasonings.
  6. Move the rack onto the grill and allow them to cook for about two minutes. No need to flip!
  7. Serve with fresh lemon slices.

Check out our Ultimate Guide on How to Grill Lobster Tail

Conclusion: How to Prepare Lobster Tails from Maine Lobster House at Home


Congratulations – you now know how to make lobster tails as you’d find in your favorite seafood restaurant in your own home! Easy peasy! Order the finest tails from Maine Lobster House and get them delivered to your doorstep and you can enjoy fresh Maine lobster tails within a few days.