How to Broil Lobster Tails

Lobster tails are one of the most popular seafood, which can be cooked in various ways. Usually, like most seafood, whole lobsters are cooked in boiling water, and served as whole. In such cases, the diner has to crack open the shell and claws, in order to take out the meat, which is eaten with melted butter and other condiments. Another method is to boil lobsters in steam. Lobster tails can be baked and grilled too. However, broiling is one of the most preferred methods to cook lobsters. It is the quickest method of cooking lobster tails. Apart from that, broiling browns the lobster meat and this does not happen in boiling.

Tips to Broil Lobster Tails at Home

Lobster is one of the popular and expensive seafood. While, broiling is one of the most preferred methods of cooking lobsters, you must know the right techniques to get perfectly-broiled lobsters.

1. You can either use fresh lobster tails or frozen ones. If you have frozen ones, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight (or for 8 to 10 hours).
2. Now, preheat the oven to medium broil setting (500° F) and clean the defrosted lobster. Place the lobster tail on a cutting board or baking sheet.
3. Take a kitchen sheers and cut the shell across the top side of the lobster. Make sure not to cut the lobster meat and to stop cutting, just before the sheers reach the tail end.
4. Now, spread open the split tail, so as to expose the meat. Keep it aside and start preparing the marinade.
5. Usually, lobster marinade is prepared with clarified butter, lemon juice, white pepper or paprika, salt and garlic powder. In this case, you have to combine half stick of butter, one teaspoon of lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon each of white pepper/paprika, salt and garlic powder.
6. The next step is to apply the marinade over the exposed meat. After that, place the lobster tail on the broiler pan and insert it into the oven.
7. The next part, that is the cooking time is the most important aspect, as far as broiling lobster tails is concerned. In general, it is recommended that if the oven is in broil setting, then, broiling time can be calculated as one minute per ounce of lobster.
8. If the lobster tail weighs around five ounce, then the cooking time will be around five to six minutes only. If the lobster tails are overcooked, then the meat will turn hard and rubbery.
9. Once the lobsters are done, the color of the meat will change to white and it becomes a little bit harder too. If the internal temperature of the meat is 145° F, it means that the lobster is done.
10. You may keep the lobster for a few more minutes, if you want that golden or brownish color for the cooked lobster meat.

So, broiling lobsters is really easy, if you know the right techniques. You have to be extra cautious about the cooking time of lobster tails. By following the right methods, you can master the art of broiling. You can serve broiled lobster with melted butter, salad, bread, and other condiments of your choice.