Lobster Cooking Chart
LOBSTER STEAMING
- De-shell your lobster tails.
- Fill an appropriate sized pot with ½-1” of water. Place a steam basket, or heat resistant plate, in the bottom of the pot, so the lobster tails are above the waterline.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil.
- Lay lobster tails on top of the basket or plate, then place the lid on the pot or pan. Return the water to a boil.
- Cook tails to a minimum internal temperature of 140° F.
- Review our Steaming time chart for approximate cook times
Number of Tails
|
Tail Size |
Approximate Cooking Time
|
2 – 6 | 4 to 6 oz. | 5 to 6 minutes |
2 – 6 | 8 oz. | 7 to 8 minutes |
2 – 4 | 12 to 14 oz. | 10-12 minutes |
LOBSTER POACHING
- De-shell your lobster tails.
- Fill a pot with enough water to cover the lobster tails and add any preferred seasonings.
- Bring the water to a bare simmer and carefully add in your lobster tails.
- Maintain the heat at a bare simmer.
- Refer to the time chart for the approximate amount of time to poach your lobster tails.
Number of Tails | Tail Size | Approximate Cooking Time |
2 – 6 | 4 to 6 oz. | 3 to 4 minutes |
2 – 6 | 8 oz. | 5 to 6 minutes |
2 – 4 | 12 to 14 oz. | 10-12 minutes |
Cook the tails to a minimum 140° in the center of the meat.
LOBSTER BAKING
- De-shell your lobster tails.
- Preheat your conventional oven to 425° F.
- Place the tails in a baking pan and add 2 oz. of water to the pan.
- Season lobster meat with salt and white pepper to taste.
- Using a brush, baste your lobster tail with room-temperature unsalted butter.
- Place in oven and bake to an internal temperature of 140 degrees in the center of the meat, using the approximate times in the chart below.
Number of Tails | Tail Size | Approximate Cooking Time |
2 to 6 | 4 to 5 oz. | 4-6 minutes |
2 to 6 | 8 oz. | 6-8 minutes |
2 to 4 | 12 to 14 oz. | 12-14 minutes |
LOBSTER GRILLING
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. (If grilling 12-14 oz. tails, the heat should be medium-low).
- Using a sharp knife, cut the tails down the middle, lengthwise, cutting all the way through the shell, so you have two halves.
- Brush or spray with oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill flesh side down about half the approximate time below, being sure not to burn or char the flesh. Flip the tail over and spoon a little room temperature unsalted butter, or butter of your liking on top of the meat.
- Cook to an internal temperature of minimum 140 degrees in the center of the meat.
Number of Tails | Tail Size | Approximate Cooking Time |
2 to 6 (Med. Heat) | 4 to 5 oz. | 6-7 minutes |
2 to 6 (Med. Heat) | 8 oz. | 8-10 minutes |
2 to 4 (Med. Lo Heat) | 12 to 14 oz. | 14-16 minutes |