In New England boiling and steaming are the traditional ways to cook lobsters, but there’s another way. It’s called butter poaching where the lobster meat is cooked to a sweet, tender buttery perfection. Learn how to butter poach lobster at home.
Page Contents
Why Butter Poach Your Lobster?
Butter poached lobster is done by removing the meat from the lobster and gently cooking in melted butter at a gentle simmer and never a boil. Butter poach lobster cooks the lobster meat slowly and gently so as not to make the meat tough. Poaching lobster is best prepared à la minute, that is the butter is prepared in the same sauce the lobster will be poached in. See our tips for cooking frozen shell-on lobster tails.
Lobster meat can be either par-boiled or raw, uncooked. If you buy live, fresh lobsters, your best bet is to boil for 2 -3 minutes and then extract the meat. Another great option is to go with tail meat direct from LobsterAnywhere. Hint, Hint!
Print
Butter Poached Lobster Tails Recipe
Lobster tail meat is poached in a butter bath, rendering the meat buttery and tender.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 2–3 tbsp. water
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter cut into 1 tbsp. pieces
- (5) 3 oz. shucked lobster tails
- Small shallow pot or a saucepan.
- Instant Read thermometer (optional)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring 2-3 tbs. of water to a simmer over medium heat.
- Whisk in 1 tbs. butter, when butter melts add another piece. Continuing adding butter pieces — 1 cup (two sticks total.) Do not let the butter come to a boil or the butter will separate. Try to keep the butter between 160 and 175 degrees F. Use an instant read thermometer to keep it under 180 F.
- Add defrosted, raw tails. Cook for 6-8 minutes and turn tails in butter mixture. Again, make sure the butter does not come to a boil, reduce the heat if necessary. Be careful not to overcook lobster. Poached lobster tails should have an an internal temperature of about 130-135°
Notes
Serve poached lobster tails right from the pan with fresh sliced lemons.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Entree
- Method: Poaching
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Gluten Free
Keywords: butter poach lobster, butter poached lobster tails
What are good sides with Butter Poached Lobster?
If you’re butter poaching some lobster tails for the family, you will want to have some delicious sides to tag on.
Baked Potatoes
Baked potatoes are a classic addition to a lobster meal, and you can even use some of that poaching butter directly on your potatoes; doesn’t that sound amazing?
Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is one of the heavier sides to choose for a butter poached tail, but its always a hit with the kids and probably Dad too.
Green Veggies
If you want to keep it on the healthier side, you can never go wrong with Green beans or Broccoli. A simple steam with some salt and pepper, and be sure to add some of that butter on top!