Many Brits order lobster tails regularly since it is "fancy and difficult to cook at home." The fact is that cooking lobster tails at home is quick and straightforward — and oh so delicious! You can order lobster tails through our fish delivery UK service.
Tips to Buy Lobster Tails
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Fresh vs. Frozen:
Choose between fresh and frozen lobster tails based on your preference and availability. Fresh tails are ideal if you can get them, but frozen tails can be just as good if they are properly handled and thawed.
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Shell Color:
Look for lobster tails with a dark shell, which indicates they are fresh. Avoid tails with a greyish shell, as this can be a sign of poor quality or age.
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Size Matters:
Consider the size of the lobster tails. Larger tails often come from older lobsters, which can have tougher meat. Smaller tails tend to be more tender.
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Weight:
When buying lobster tails, check the weight. A heavier tail means more meat. However, make sure the weight feels appropriate for the size of the tail, indicating that it's filled with meat and not hollow.
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Smell:
If buying fresh lobster tails, they should have a clean, ocean-like smell. Avoid any that have a strong, fishy odour, as this can indicate spoilage.
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Price:
While price can be an indicator of quality, it's not always the case. Compare prices from different sources, but be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
Defrosting Frozen Tails
Defrosting frozen lobster tails properly is crucial to ensuring they cook evenly and taste fresh. Place the frozen tails in the refrigerator for 24 hours or, if you're short on time, seal them in a plastic bag and submerge in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thawed.
Splitting Lobster Tail
Using a pair of good quality kitchen scissors, cut the top of the lobster tail from the head end to the tail end — be careful not to cut into the tender meat underneath the shell. This will help steam penetrate and allow for faster cooking.
6 Ways to Cook Lobster Tails
Steaming
Steaming is the most common method of preparing lobster tails in the UK. Steaming uses a gentler heat and cooking method, resulting in much more tender lobster tail meat while still cooking the tail to the desired consistency. Place the lobster tails in the bamboo steamer, shut the lid, and steam until the flesh is opaque and white — or an instant-read thermometer registers around 60°C.
Baking
Lay the lobster tails on a rimmed baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminium foil (for easy cleanup) and cut the top of the shell as described above — being careful not to cut the lobster flesh when making the cut. Spread the shell open about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to expose the flesh beneath. Brush the lobster tails with drawn butter, season with chopped garlic and herbs if desired, and roast in an oven for about 12 to 15 minutes.
Grilling
There is something to be said about the flavour that a BBQ grill adds to food. However, it is also a quick way to overcook these delicate crustaceans. To grill a lobster tail, just cut a slice in the shell using kitchen scissors as previously described. Run a bamboo skewer through the centre of the lobster tail to keep it from curling while grilling. When grilling lobster tails, always use the thermometer temperature test method, aiming for a temperature of no more than 60°C. To limit the risk of overcooking, we recommend grilling lobster tails over indirect fire.
Broiling
Broiling is a high-heat cooking method that can instantly turn lobster tail meat from tender and tasty to dried-out rubbery texture in a matter of minutes. Lay the lobster tails on a baking sheet, cut the shells, and spread them open. Brush with butter and season as desired. Place under the broiler for 5-10 minutes, watching carefully to avoid overcooking.
Boiling
Boiling lobster tails is a straightforward method. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the lobster tails, and cook for about 1 minute per ounce. The meat should be opaque and white when done. Remove from the water and let them cool slightly before serving.
Air Frying
Air frying is a modern method that yields delicious results. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C. Brush the lobster tails with butter, season as desired, and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until the meat is opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 60°C.
How to Know if Lobster Tail is Ready?
The most common mistake that amateur cooks make while making lobster at home is overcooking the poor lobster tail to death, resulting in tough, rubbery, and unpleasant meat texture and flavour. To avoid this, ensure the lobster meat is opaque and white, and an instant-read thermometer registers around 60°C. The shell will be bright red, and the meat will pull away easily from the shell.
Buy Fresh Seafood Online
If you want fresh a fish delivery UK service, contact Seafood Direct today. Click here to order fresh raw lobster tail (Homarus Americanus)! If you have any queries regarding our seafood products or need to order a custom seafood box, please call us at 01472 566000 or email us at sales@seafooddirect.co.uk.