Description
This Easy Sous Vide Lobster Tail recipe delivers perfectly tender and flavorful lobster tails cooked precisely in a sous vide water bath. The lobster meat is removed from the shell, infused with fragrant tarragon and rich butter, then cooked slowly to achieve an ideal texture that is juicy and succulent. A simple yet elegant dish suitable for special occasions or an impressive dinner at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 2–3 lobster tails, thawed
Flavorings
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 stem fresh tarragon
- Pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter)
Instructions
- Heat Sous Vide Water Bath: Preheat your sous vide water bath to your desired temperature, ideally 135°F (57°C) for tender, buttery lobster meat.
- Remove Tail Meat from Shells: Using kitchen shears, cut down the middle of the underside of each lobster shell. Pry open both sides, cracking the shell, then use a spoon or your fingers to carefully free the lobster meat from the shell, keeping the meat intact if possible.
- Bag Lobster Tail Meat: Place the lobster meat into a ziplock bag suitable for sous vide. Add the butter, fresh tarragon, and a pinch of salt if the butter is unsalted. Seal the bag using the water displacement method or use a vacuum sealer for a tight seal.
- Sous Vide Lobster: Submerge the bagged lobster tails in the preheated water bath. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The longer cooking time ensures even heat penetration and desirable texture without overcooking.
Notes
- Note 1: Always thaw lobster tails completely before cooking sous vide to ensure even cooking.
- Note 2: Fresh tarragon can be substituted with other herbs like thyme or parsley depending on preference.
- Note 3: The butter adds richness and moisture to the lobster during cooking.
- Note 4: Setting the sous vide temperature between 130°F to 140°F will achieve different textures—lower temperatures yield more tender, lobster-textured meat while higher produce firmer meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sous Vide
- Cuisine: Seafood, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lobster tail (approx. 85g meat)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: sous vide lobster tail, lobster recipe, easy lobster, sous vide seafood, lobster with butter, tender lobster
