Can You Freeze Lobster Tails?

Lobster tails are incredibly delicious, but they’re also expensive. That’s why when I see them go on sale, I can’t help but buy them in bulk. But it’s not like I can eat or serve all of them on one day.

Plus, lobster tails are so luxurious I like save them for special occasions. So, what can you do to preserve that precious lobster meat as long as possible? Easy, I freeze them.

How to Freeze Lobster Tails In the Shell

When freezing lobster tails, you can’t just pop them as is into the freezer and call it a day. You want to do everything you can to keep them in the best condition possible. Here’s how:

1. Blanch the lobster tails in a brine mixture. To make the mixture, add half a cup of non-iodized salt in 2 quarts of water, and mix until combined. Bring the mixture into a boil to make sure the salt has dissolved in the water.
2. Plunge the lobster tails into the water for a minute. Take them out and transfer them into a bowl of cold water with ice. Let the lobsters soak there for 15-20 minutes. This will stop them from cooking further.
3. Take the lobster tails out and dry them off. 
4. Place the tails in freezer-safe bags. Squeeze out any excess air and seal the bags.
5. Label the bags with the current date and place each bag in a second freezer bag and seal – the second bag serves as an additional layer of protection.
6. Preserved this way, your lobster tails will last for up to 9-12 months.

How to Freeze Lobster Meat Out of the Shell

If you want to take out the meat from the shell prior to freezing, here’s what to do:

Follow the same process above, but after soaking in cold water, take the lobster meat out of the tails. Place in freezer-safe bags just as specified above. 

Out-of-the-shell lobster meat will last in the freezer for up to 3 to 6 months.

Other Methods for Freezing Lobster Tails

Apart from the instructions above, other lobster lovers also have fantastic suggestions on how to freeze lobster tails. Here are a few additional freezing methods:

1. Follow the same instructions as above, except wrap the lobster tails in paper towels to avoid puncturing the bags.

2. Make a lobster tail ice cube! Preserving them in ice prevents the lobster tails from drying out.

To prepare: clean, trim, and devein the lobster tails. Place them in plastic containers such as Tupperware. Fill the container with water until it soaks the lobsters.

Put the lid on and freeze. This method will ensure that the lobsters remain as fresh as the day they were purchased. 

3. If you have one, a vacuum seal machine is perfect to preserve lobster tails. Place the lobsters in a Ziploc bag lined with paper towels (they serve as a protective layer). And then seal away and freeze.

How to Thaw Lobster Tails

When you’re ready to eat your lobster tails, transfer them to the fridge and defrost overnight. Steam the lobsters for 8-10 minutes and they’re ready to go.