How to Broil Lobster Tails

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broiler in oven ready for lobster tails

How to Broil Lobster Tails

The challenge is to get the tail cooked through without drying the meat out from the heat.

If it's overcooked, the lobster will be tough and not good to eat.

First of all, you need to defrost the tails if they are frozen - do this in the refrigerator and make sure they are thawed thoroughly.

It's probably best to leave them overnight if you're wanting them for lunch, get them out in the morning if you're using them at night time.

Don't cook them from frozen as they will be tough - it's essential that they are defrosted prior to cooking. 


How to Broil Lobster Tails

Cut open the top of the shell lengthwise with a pair of heavy kitchen shears. 

Score through the meat with a sharp knife down to the bottom shell - be careful not to cut through the shell.

Spread open the split tail to expose the meat and place the tails on a roasting pan under the broiler.

Now - here you need to be careful - if it's a big tail (9oz or so) then you should place it about 8 inches from the broiler, if it's smaller, then about 6 inches.

Leave the door open if you have the type of broiler that is an oven too,  so as not to create an overly dry atmosphere as you'll end up baking the lobster tail.

You could add a glass of wine or water to the roasting pan which will create steam and can help keep the meat moist.

Cook for around 5 minutes for a split 9 oz tail - you could also baste with some melted butter or wine during cooking to add flavor and moisture. 

You will be able to tell when the lobster is cooked, because the meat will be opaque.

 If it's a gas broiler, then you can adjust the flame. You will probably find that it has a central burner and the flames go either side of it. You will need to rotate the lobster tails during cooking so that they get the heat evenly on them. Just swap their positions every few minutes to avoid one bit getting the 'hot spot' all the time.

Most electric broilers have an element that covers the top of the broiler, which could very well be your oven. Those also have 'hot spots' and again, you'll need to watch the lobster tail

This video shows you how to broil a lobster tail - it's not mine, I wouldn't leave the tails whole like that, I would split and open them to ensure cooking was a little more even and I wouldn't close the broiler door.  BUT it shows you a very nice method of seasoning, which you can adapt to your own liking.

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How to Broil Lobster





By , Mar 18, 2016



How to Broil Lobster Tails



How to broil lobster tails.





Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Yield: 2 tails

Main Ingredient: Lobster