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• Why Thaw Frozen Lobster Tails?
• How To Thaw Frozen Lobster Tails
• How To Cook Frozen Lobster Tails Recipe card
• Storage Tips
• Serving Suggestions
• How To Cook Frozen Lobster Tails Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

You’re here because you want to know how to cook frozen lobster tails for a healthy dinner , but I have some possibly bad news… You’ll need to thaw them first. But don’t give up — it’s easy to do and I’ll show you multiple methods depending on how much time you have. I’ll also show you 5 different methods for cooking frozen lobster tails after you thaw them!

Why Thaw Frozen Lobster Tails?

• Better texture – If you cook them from frozen, the meat usually turns out tough, dry, and rubbery.
• Even cooking – Cooking frozen lobster tails without thawing can cause some areas to get overcooked and others undercooked.
• Flavor – Thawing preserves the lobster’s flavor, natural sweetness, and tenderness. Frozen seafood also won’t absorb the flavors of your seasonings well, so it would taste blander.
• Safety – If cooking from frozen, it could take longer for the lobster to reach a safe internal temperature, so bacteria could start to grow.

How To Thaw Frozen Lobster Tails

There are several methods you can use for thawing frozen lobster tails before cooking them, and each has pros and cons. Choose what works best for you, but whatever you do, avoid thawing on the counter without cold water for food safety reasons [ * ]. I recommend cold water lobsters over warm water if you can get them.

• Fridge overnight – Place in fridge to thaw safely overnight, right in the package. It’s the easiest and safest method but requires advance planning.
• Bag submerged in cold water on the counter – Submerge lobster tails in a bag in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. This method is fairly fast (my tails were 5 ounces and took about 1 hour to thaw), but requires constant monitoring for safety.
• Bag submerged in cold water in the fridge – Place the bagged tails in cold water in the fridge. It’s safer than counter thawing and doesn’t need frequent water changes. It takes longer than the counter method, but is faster than doing it in the package.
• Bag under cold running water – Thaw frozen lobster under cold running water. It’s the fastest method, but wasteful in terms of water use and still takes some time.
• Microwave thaw setting – Use the microwave’s thaw setting for rapid thawing. This method is quick but can unevenly cook the edges and is not recommended for best quality.

IMPORTANT: With any of these methods, avoid warm water.

Use only cold water, as warm water can cause bacteria to grow.

How To Cook Frozen Lobster Tails

There are five main ways that you can cook thawed frozen lobster tails. For all of these, I use a combination of salted butter (or unsalted and add salt separately), garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

1. Broil – Split the tails with a pair of kitchen shears, brush with butter, and place on a baking sheet. Cook under the broiler at 500 degrees F in the oven, until opaque and browned. It’s quick, but requires close attention to avoid burning.
2. Boil – Cook the tails in a large pot with boiling water until the shell is red and meat is tender. It’s simple, but can dilute flavor. I don’t have a recipe for this by itself because it’s not my favorite, but you can try it in my seafood boil that’s a lot more flavorful.
3. Air Fry – Brush the tails with butter and air fry at 400 degrees F until cooked through. This method is quick and healthy, but may not achieve the rich flavor of broiling.

1. Grill – Brush the tails with melted butter and seasonings, skewer them, and grill over medium heat until meat is opaque. Grilling provides a smoky flavor, but requires careful flipping for even cooking.
2. Poach – Gently poach the tails in butter or seasoned broth in a pan until tender. This method delivers a delicate, moist texture, but is more time-consuming.

Storage Tips

• Frozen lobster: Store frozen lobster tails in the freezer, wrapped in plastic or aluminum foil and in an airtight container, for up to 6 months. If you purchased them frozen at the store, it’s fine to just pop the package straight into the freezer, as long as they are still frozen.
• Thawed lobster: Place fresh lobster tails in the refrigerator, covered or in an airtight container, and use within 1-2 days for best quality and safety.
• Cooked lobster: Store cooked lobster tails in the refrigerator in an airtight container, and eat within 2-3 days. You can also use leftover lobster meat to make lobster thermidor or lobster salad .

Serving Suggestions

Lobster tail recipes pair well with a variety of quick and easy side dishes . Here are a few of my go-to choices:

• Vegetables – Although you can’t roast frozen lobster, you can roast frozen brussels sprouts for a quick and easy side. However, roasted broccolini makes an elegant side for this elegant main dish. And, for quicker veggie options, try air fryer cauliflower or Instant Pot broccoli .
• Salads – Lobster makes a stunning holiday centerpiece, so pair it with a Christmas salad for the holidays, or a sweet and tangy pomegranate salad for any day of the week.
• Potatoes – For simple and classic sides, pair lobster tails with baked potatoes in the air fryer or oven baked sweet potatoes .
• Surf and Turf – If you want to make this meal even fancier, pair your lobster with a quality steak, such as sirloin steak or filet mignon , for a special-occasion surf and turf experience.

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 4 5-oz Frozen lobster tails (or any size) ▢
• 1/4 cup Salted butter ▢
• 2 cloves Garlic (crushed) ▢
• 2 tsp Lemon juice ▢
• 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika ▢
• 1 pinch Cayenne pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Even if you’re cooking frozen lobster tails, you’ll need to thaw them first. Cooking them from frozen will make them tough and the meat tends to stick to the shell. There are 2 best ways to do thaw: * Refrigerator – Place in the fridge overnight to thaw. Make sure they are in a bowl or sealed bag to prevent leaking. * Bowl of cold water – Place the lobster tails in a zip lock bag and seal. Place in a large bowl, then fill the bowl with cold water. Make sure the tails are submerged; you can weigh them down with a heavy pot or plate if they float. Leave on the counter and change the water every 30 minutes, until thawed.
2. Once thawed, you can use the lobster and the other ingredients above to make any of these recipes: * Broiled lobster tail * Grilled lobster tail * Air fryer lobster tail * Poached lobster tail

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 lobster tail

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

How To Cook Frozen Lobster Tails

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

How To Cook Frozen Lobster Tails

Learn how to cook frozen lobster tails! Choose from 5 ways to cook them: broiling, boiling, grilling, air frying, and poaching.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/frozen-lobster-tails/

Ingredients

• 4 5-oz Frozen lobster tails (or any size)
• 1/4 cup Salted butter
• 2 cloves Garlic (crushed)
• 2 tsp Lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1 pinch Cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Even if you’re cooking frozen lobster tails, you’ll need to thaw them first. Cooking them from frozen will make them tough and the meat tends to stick to the shell. There are 2 best ways to do thaw: * Refrigerator - Place in the fridge overnight to thaw. Make sure they are in a bowl or sealed bag to prevent leaking. * Bowl of cold water - Place the lobster tails in a zip lock bag and seal. Place in a large bowl, then fill the bowl with cold water. Make sure the tails are submerged; you can weigh them down with a heavy pot or plate if they float. Leave on the counter and change the water every 30 minutes, until thawed.
2. Once thawed, you can use the lobster and the other ingredients above to make any of these recipes: * Broiled lobster tail * Grilled lobster tail * Air fryer lobster tail * Poached lobster tail

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 lobster tail

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)