How to Cook Lobster Tail (Best Methods + VIDEO)

How to prepare lobster tails for cooking:

1. To butterfly a lobster tail: Use a sharp pair of kitchen shears to cut a seam down the top of the lobster tail towards the fin. Gently pull at the seam to separate the tail meat, being careful not to crack the shell.
2. Use your fingers to separate the tail meat from the inside of the shell, leaving the tail meat connected at the base near the fin.
3. Gently pull the tail meat up and over the shell, then rest it on the top of the empty shell for a beautiful presentation.
4. If cooking the lobster tails in the shell: Simply cut down the top center of the shell towards the fin. Then use your finger to separate the tail meat from the inside of the shell. That’s it!
5. When ready to cook: Brush the top of the lobster meat with melted butter. Then sprinkle with salt and pepper or with Cajun seasoning

How to bake lobster tail:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the prepared lobster tails on a rimmed baking sheet. Once the oven is hot, place the baking sheet in the oven.
2. Bake small 3-4 ounce lobster tails for 10+ minutes, or larger 6-8 ounce lobster tails for 20+ minutes. Make sure to check the lobster tails with a meat thermometer at the lowest stated time, then add minutes if needed.

How to grill lobster tails:

1. It’s best to leave lobster tails inside the shell for grilling to make sure flare ups don’t char the meat. Preheat the grill to 425°F.
2. Once hot, grill the lobster tails cut-side-down then flip them over to finish them off. For small 3-4 ounce lobster tails, grill for 3 minutes cut-side-down, then flip and cook an additional 1 minute. For larger 6-8 ounce lobster tails, grill cut-side-down for 5 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

How to steam lobster tails:

1. Set a large 6-quart sauce pot on the stove top. Place a steaming basket in the bottom of the pot and fill with 1-inch of water.
2. Cover and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, place the prepared lobster tails down in the steam basket.
3. Cover the pot and steam small 3-4 ounce lobster tails for 5 to 6 minutes. Steam larger 6-8 ounce lobster tails for 8 to 9 minutes.

How to air fry lobster tails:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Once the air fryer is hot, place two lobster tails in the basket, cut-side-up.
2. Air fry smaller 3-4 ounce lobster tails for 3 to 5 minutes. Air fry a larger 6-8 ounce lobster tails for 5 to 7 minutes.