Can you freeze lobster? Best way to store them

A lot of people are put off eating lobster at home. Not many of you are used to dealing with a live creature from the depths that resembles a sea monster that can inflict a heft pinch if he gets you. But don’t be put off. We can all have doubts in the kitchen, especially when dealing with something new. Lobsters are delicious and can be stored.

You are mistaken if you think lobsters are pink or red when alive. Lobsters are a green come-blue tone and are pretty hard to spot when they are underwater. You are mistaken if you think lobsters are pink or red when alive. Did you know larger lobsters have tougher meat? 

In this article, we will give you the confidence to deal with lobster and let you know how to store lobsters so you can enjoy this indulgent meal for more than one day. We answer frequently asked questions for you to improve your kitchen skills.

Let’s dive in.

Does lobster expire?

Yes. Although lobsters look big and mean, their meat is delicate and can expire quickly if not taken care of properly.

If you have fresh live lobsters in your home kitchen, you may want to place them in the freezer before dispatching them. Placing live lobsters in the freezer will subdue the lobster, so there is minimal movement.

Once out of the freezer, you will have the dilemma of how to dispatch the critter. You can place it directly into boiling water or use a more humane method: a knife through the head and into the brain.

Dealing with lobsters is not for the squeamish.

On the other hand, once the lobster is cooked, you can put it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to four days before it spoils and goes bad.

If you are buying lobster only, but it is fresh and alive, if you have access to a fishing port near your home, buy direct from the fishermen. If not, you can get live lobster delivered straight to your door.

Fresh fish markets are also a great source of live lobster/ Why is it so essential to buy live lobster? Lobsters have an enzyme in their body that attacks the meat as soon as they die. If you have a lobster that has been frozen fresh, it is going to be a culinary disaster.

If you want to buy a lobster that will last, then there is only one way to go, vacuum-packed pasteurized lobster tails have a shelf life of four months in the fridge.

Does lobster have to be covered or uncovered in the fridge?

It is a bad idea to leave lobster uncovered in the fridge. Although you may think the fridge is the perfect safe place for your lobster (you are right to think this), the fridge can be a haven for bacteria if it is not at a constant 40℉.

Store your lobster leftovers in a Ziploc bag, expel as much of the air from the bag as possible and then seal. In the Ziploc bag, the lobster will be good for four days in the fridge.

Can you put a warm lobster in the fridge?

It’s not advisable. When you place anything warm in the fridge, it elevates the inside temperature of the fridge, which can bring the temperature above 40℉ placing the contents of the fridge in the food danger zone where bacteria becomes active and multiplies rapidly to the point that the food is potentially dangerous and could cause food poisoning.

If the lobster is warm, place it in an ice bath, this will not only cool the lobster but also stop the cooking process, which will keep the meat tender and not rubbery, which is a sign of overcooked lobster.

Does lobster need to be refrigerated?

Yes. If you have fresh lobster or cooked lobster, it will need to be refrigerated.

Store fresh lobster in a fridge that is 40℉. This will subdue an active lobster. It is essential to keep the lobster moist, not wet, just moist to keep it in the best condition. If you can cover it in seaweed, this will be perfect. Moist or damp newspaper can work as well.

Cooked lobster should be stored in the fridge. Place the cooked lobster in an airtight container, you can use a Tupperware box with a sealable lid, or a Ziploc bag will work equally as well.

Lobster outside of the fridge has a limited shelf life of hours, not days.

How long can lobster sit out?

Two hours. It’s very easy to have a dinner party where everyone is chatting and having a few glasses of bubbly with the time whizzing by. But after a short two hours of lobster sitting out, it is already deemed dangerous to eat.

At room temperature, perishable foods such as lobster have a short life. The bacteria growth at room temperature is incredibly more extensive, and according to the USDA, two hours is the limit for perishable foods. Beyond this time, the food, in this case, lobster, is potentially dangerous to eat and should be tossed into the garbage.

How long does lobster last in the fridge?

Fresh raw lobster, alive and kicking, should be cooked after two days.

Cooked lobster, if stored correctly, can last for four days in the fridge. It should be stored in a fridge that is 40℉ or below.

Cooked lobster must be kept in an airtight container with a sealable lid or a Ziploc bag. Expel as much air from the Ziploc before sealing.

For lobster lovers who enjoy the tomalley, the light green substance in the carapace, it is not advisable to eat or store it.

Does frozen lobster go bad?

Yes and no. Don’t freeze a fresh lobster. The crustacean will release an enzyme, destroying the meat.

According to the USDA, lobster tails have an indefinite shelf life in the freezer if kept below 0℉ constantly.

When freezing lobsters, it’s best to break down the edible parts. You may want to remove the head and the meat from the claws and keep the shell for lobster bisque.

But here is the problem with extended freezing in a domestic freezer, the lobster can become subject to freezer burn, dries the lobster destroying the flesh.

To prevent a lobster burn, you will need to take the precautions of wrapping the lobster in foil and placing it inside an airtight container before freezing.

You should be pragmatic about the long-term storage of lobster. The meat is tender and succulent, long-term freezing will alter the texture, and the flavor will diminish, but it can be covered with a Thermador to make the lobster edible.

Consider eating the frozen lobster within a six-month period.

Can lobster leftovers be frozen?

Yes. But there is a caveat. The lobster leftovers should not have been sitting out for more than two hours.

It is best to freeze cooked lobster with the shell still in place if possible. Again you will need to use the obligatory airtight container or Ziploc to protect the lobster meat from freezer burn.

Can you cook lobster from frozen?

You can, but it will be a potential disaster. Lobster meat is cooked relatively quickly, 6 minutes per pound roughly, but frozen lobsters take a lot longer, resulting in rubbery lobster tails that are not appetizing and pretty awful, if the truth is told.

How do you thaw lobsters?

For optimal meat, you should thaw lobster overnight in the fridge. This slow approach is more gentle on the meat and can be more critical than the way you store the lobster for freezing.

You can thaw lobster quicker. You can place it in a bowl and let cold water from the faucet run on it for thirty minutes. Or there is the good old ubiquitous microwave.

Rushing the thawing process with a lobster will degrade the quality of the meat, so if you can plan ahead for your next indulgence, it will pay dividends when the lobster is thawed slowly.

Can you put the frozen lobster in boiling water?

If you do, you can expect a great meal to be less than medicare and out and out disappointing.

Thaw your lobster tails thoroughly. If you don’t, your lobster tails will be rubbery and as tough as the rubber on your running shoes.

What’s the best way to cook lobster?

Everyone heads for the pot of boiling water, but the truth is a lot of the lobster flavor seeps into the water, making eating the delicate lobster flesh a little less flavorsome.

Baking or roasting lobster has to be one of the best ways, and if you haven’t tried it, you are missing a treat. The meat will be succulent, and the flavor will be enhanced as it is cooked in its juices. It is a perfect way to cook lobster Thermidor.

Final thoughts

Don’t be intimidated by dispatching your own lobsters. It’s easy and can be done humanely. Always buy fresh lobsters that are moving around, and cook them within two days of keeping them in the fridge.

Once cooked, you can store lobster in the fridge in an airtight container for four days.

Freezing lobster is easy. The obligatory airtight containers should be stored with the shell on if possible and consumed within six months despite the USDA saying they last indefinitely.