How to Cut Lobster Tail with Step-by-Step Instructions

Cutting lobster tail is relatively simple and doesn’t take very long. Traditionally, the lobster tail is butterflied, which requires just a few simple steps. Once you’ve got the basics down, prep only takes a few minutes.

After you cut the lobster tail, it’s ready to be broiled, grilled, baked, or steamed. Once you discover how easy it is to prepare lobster, you’ll never want to pay restaurant prices again. 

What kinds of lobster are there?

When you’re buying lobster, it’s important to know the difference between cold water lobster and warm water lobster.

Cold water lobster

Cold water lobsters come from the east coast of Canada down to the Carolinas and the western coast of Europe. They have a nice hint of sweetness and a firmer texture than their warm water counterparts.

Warm water lobster

Warm water lobsters, such as rock lobster or spiny lobster, are harvested only for their tails. The meat is softer and fishier than its cold water cousin. Less expensive and more common in stores, warm water lobster is what you can usually expect to find at restaurants.

How to shop for lobsters

Look at the color of the tail. It should not have any black spots, yellowing, or greying. Grey tails indicate that the lobster wasn’t fresh when it was processed. 

Smaller tails are generally more flavorful, lobster tails weighing between 6 and 12 ounces will be more tender than heavier ones.

For live lobster, and this is only for the courageous, you’ll want to choose a lobster that feels heavy for its size. Hold the lobster by the sides of its body and squeeze. Soft shells will yield to pressure, while hard shells will be firm.

How to butterfly a lobster tail

Butterflying a lobster tail is simple to do and makes for a beautiful-looking entree after it’s cooked. 

Step 1: Thaw the lobster tail

Frozen lobster is often an ideal option if you don’t have access to fresh lobster. To thaw lobster, place it in a shallow baking dish (to catch any moisture) and let it sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Alternatively, you can thaw on the counter by placing it in a pot of cold water for two hours. 

Step 2: Rinse and pat dry

Rinse the lobster with cool water. Then pat it dry with paper towels. 

Step 3: Cut through the shell

Place the lobster tail, with the hard shell side up, on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut down the center of the lobster tail, stopping just before the tail fins. During this, you will cut into the flesh of the lobster, but not all of the way through it. Some people prefer not to cut into the lobster meat at all; however, cutting will help it cook more evenly and give you more surface area for the butter, spices, or marinade. 

Step 4: Pry lobster meat away from the shell

Carefully pull the lobster meat away from the shell. Start at the thickest part of the lobster tail and gently pry the meat out with your thumbs, working towards the fins. Do not remove the meat from the shell entirely. Leave the meat attached at the end near the fin.

Step 5: Clean the lobster meat

At this point, you can use a small pairing knife to cut away any veins and better clean the meat. Give it a quick rinse, if desired, and pat it dry. 

Step 6: Place lobster meat on top of the shell

Use one hand to hold the meat while your other hand pushes the shell together, forming a base where you’ll place the meat. You can leave the meat as is, just situated on top of the shell, or place a skewer through the meat to prevent it from curling and creating the butterfly effect. 

Step 7: Cook the lobster tail 

Now you’re ready to season and cook it according to the recipe. 

How to cut lobster tail in half

When you want to cut lobster tails in half, for smaller portions or as part of a surf and turf dinner, you follow most of the same steps that you use for butterflying a lobster tail. 

Step 1: Thaw the lobster tail

Frozen lobster is often an ideal option if you don’t have access to fresh lobster. To thaw lobster, place it in a shallow baking dish (to catch any moisture) and let it sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Alternatively, you can thaw on the counter by placing it in a pot of cold water for two hours. 

Step 2: Rinse and pat dry

Rinse the lobster with cool water. Then pat it dry with paper towels.

Step 3: Cut the lobster tail in half

 Place the lobster tail on a cutting board with the hard shell side up. Use a knife to cut the lobster tail in half. Start at the thickest end of the tail and cut towards the fins. Cutting through the fins can be challenging, and you might find that a pair of sharp kitchen scissors are helpful. 

Step 4: Separate the lobster meat from the shell

Now, you have two halves and can separate the meat from the shell. Do this gently and only until you get near the fin. Leave a portion of the meat attached to the shell. 

Step 5: Clean the lobster meat

Next, you can use a small knife to cut out any veins you want to get rid of before cooking. 

Step 6: Rinse and cook the lobster meat

You’re now ready to give the lobster tails a quick rinse. After patting them dry, they are ready to be seasoned and cooked. 

How to prepare lobster tail for the grill 

Grilled lobster tail is delicious and can be prepared in either of the ways listed above. You can butterfly the lobster tails or cut them in half before seasoning and grilling them.

Place them on the grill flesh side facing the flames and grill for two to three minutes to grill lobster tails. Flip the lobster over, add more seasoning if desired, and grill for another three minutes. You’ll be able to tell that they’re done when they turn an opaque white color and become firm to the touch. 

A 5-Star Dinner In

Fresh lobster is the perfect way to impress a date, old friends, or even the In-Laws. With so many errands to juggle, let Instacart do your shopping for you. Just add everything you need to your cart and an Instacart shopper will deliver it right to your home, hotel, Airbnb, or vacation rental. Spend less time shopping and more time with the people you love.

Instacart

Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.