When it comes to seafood, Aldi has a good selection of Regular Buys, like shrimp. They also have Special Buys, or ALDI Finds, that change from time to time and include both simple and unusual items. Since this is Aldi, you can expect prices to be competitive. However, you should also expect to pay more per ounce for crab or lobster because that’s how the market works
Sure enough, Specially Selected Wild Caught Maine Lobster Tails, a Special Buy (ALDI Find), aren’t cheap. Eight total ounces of lobster tail, split between two four-ounce tails, ran $12. 99 at the time of this post. We think that’s pretty fair for our area, but paying about $13 for half a pound of any food isn’t realistic unless you have a lot of cash, so this is definitely a rare treat for us.
According to the packaging, the lobster tails are “certified sustainable” seafood by the Marine Stewardship Council. The product “stems from a fishery that has been independently verified to meet the MSC’s requirements for a sustainable and well-run fishery.” It says on the package that the lobster was caught in a pot in the North Atlantic and that lobster is the only ingredient.
There are different ways to follow the cooking instructions, but all of them say to either put the tails in the fridge to thaw or put them in cold water to thaw quickly before cooking. Once you’ve done that, you can either grill, broil, steam, or boil the tails.
To grill or broil, first heat the grill or broiler to medium heat (about 375 degrees F / 190 degrees C). Then, butterfly the tails by cutting them lengthwise through the top, or curved, of the shell. Then you put butter, olive oil, or another marinade on it and cook it with the meat side up for 4 to 5 minutes. Then you cook it with the meat side down for 3 to 4 minutes.
Steaming is simple. You steam the thawed tails with water or a little white wine for 6-7 minutes.
Boiling involves a quart of water plus a teaspoon of salt, then submerging the tails in boiling water. Put the tails in the water and boil it again. If the tails are frozen, cook them for 8–9 minutes. As we’ve done with lobster tails in the past, we thawed the tails first, then boiled them.
We thought they tasted … okay. Even though we cooked them the same way we have in the past, they weren’t as flavorful as lobster tails we have had before. Some seafood can change its mind, so a different set of tails might have turned out better, but it didn’t work out for us. When you eat something that already has 20% of your daily sodium intake and then dip it in salted butter, you’re looking for more taste.
Specially Selected Wild Caught Maine Lobster Tails are about the same price as other lobster tails we’ve bought, but our batch didn’t taste as good as lobster tails we’ve made before that were cooked in a similar way. They didn’t taste bad, but if you want more flavor, you might want to grill or broil them instead of boiling them.
Use Aldi’s frozen lobster tails to enjoy sweet, tender lobster without spending a lot of money. If you thaw, prepare, season, and cook these cheap tails the right way, they can taste just as good as fresh lobster.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know to cook frozen lobster tails from Aldi (or any store) to perfection. Let’s get cracking!
Selecting High-Quality Aldi Frozen Lobster Tails
The first step is to pick tails that will cook up with great flavor and texture. Here’s what to look for:
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Coldwater lobster – These are sweeter and more tender than warm water varieties Coldwater lobsters include Maine and Nova Scotia lobsters
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Wild caught – Wild caught tails will be more flavorful than farmed options
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Unaltered tails – Avoid lobster tails that have been pumped with broth or additives, opt for all-natural.
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Good size – Around 5-7 oz tails have plenty of meat without being unwieldy.
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Minimal discoloration – Pick tails with bright red shells and no dark spots if possible.
Aldi often has good quality frozen lobster tails fitting this criteria at very reasonable prices.
Thawing Aldi Lobster Tails
Cooking frozen tails straight from the freezer will result in rubbery, unevenly cooked meat. Be sure to thaw them first using one of these methods:
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Refrigerator – Place tails in a bowl and thaw overnight in the fridge. This is the easiest and safest approach.
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Cold water: Put tails in cold water in a plastic bag or other airtight container. Change the water every 30 minutes. Takes about 1 hour for 5 oz tails.
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Cold running water – Place tails in a colander and run cold water over them. More wasteful of water but faster.
Avoid thawing lobster tails on the counter at room temperature to prevent bacteria growth.
Preparing Aldi Lobster Tails for Cooking
Once thawed, prep your tails for flavorful cooking:
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Remove rubber bands – This allows seasonings to penetrate and meat to cook evenly.
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Rinse and pat dry – A quick rinse removes ice crystals, dry thoroughly with paper towels.
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Split the shell – Use kitchen shears to cut shell lengthwise without cutting all the way through.
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Loosen meat – Gently loosen meat from bottom shell with fingers or knife. This prevents curling.
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Season generously – Apply your choice of rub, herbs, spices, lemon, etc inside the slit and over meat.
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Chill 30 minutes – Let tails marinate in fridge before cooking.
Seasoning Suggestions for Frozen Lobster
Lobster tails have a mildly sweet taste that pairs well with many seasonings. Consider these tasty options:
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Lemon, garlic, oregano, olive oil – Classic Mediterranean flavors
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Melted butter, paprika, parsley – Simple and aromatic
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Brown butter, rosemary, thyme – Nutty herbal notes
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Chili powder, cumin, lime – Tex-Mex inspired
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Soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger – Asian flair
Get creative with spice blends to complement the natural flavor of lobster. Apply them liberally before cooking.
How to Cook Aldi Frozen Lobster Tails – 5 Methods
The cooking method you choose will impact texture and intensity of flavor. Try any of these easy techniques:
1. Broiling
Broiling reaches high heat for crisping the shell.
- Brush tails with herb butter and place split-side up on a sheet pan.
- Broil 6 inches from heating element on high for 8-12 minutes until opaque.
- Watch closely to avoid burning.
2. Boiling
Boiling gently cooks tails in seasoned liquid.
- Add tails to a pot with salted water, wine, or broth seasoned with aromatics.
- Simmer for 5 minutes per 1 lb of tails until opaque and cooked through.
3. Grilling
Grilling adds delicious smoky notes.
- Skewer tails to prevent curling. Grill split-side down over direct medium heat for 5-6 minutes per side.
- Baste with melted butter or olive oil to keep moist.
4. Air Frying
Air frying creates a crispy exterior with less oil.
- Brush with oil and spices. Air fry at 400°F for 9-11 minutes until opaque.
- Flip halfway through for even cooking.
5. Poaching
Poaching yields tender, delicate meat.
- Heat butter, white wine, and aromatics to a gentle simmer.
- Add tails and poach for 9-11 minutes until opaque.
Monitoring Doneness of Lobster Tails
Timing alone doesn’t guarantee perfectly cooked lobster. Use these visual and temperature cues:
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The meat will turn opaque and white throughout when fully cooked.
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An instant-read thermometer should reach 140°F when inserted in the thickest part.
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The shell will turn bright red.
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Clear lobster juices will run from the shell when done.
Pull the tails from heat immediately once they reach these markers of doneness to prevent overcooking.
Serving Suggestions for Cooked Lobster Tails
Enjoy your tender, flaky lobster meat by:
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Serving as-is with drawn butter, lemon wedges, fresh herbs.
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Placing on toast points for easy surf and turf lobster sliders.
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Adding to fresh garden salads for a lunch or dinner protein boost.
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Placing meat in lettuce wraps along with avocado and veggies.
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Mixing with pasta in a simple lemon cream sauce.
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Adding to risotto, seafood stews, or chowders.
The rich, sweet taste of lobster tails is a luxurious indulgence. With proper thawing and cooking, budget Aldi frozen tails can deliver delicious restaurant-quality results. Just follow these simple tips for lobster perfection every time.
How to Cook Frozen Lobster Tails
FAQ
How to cook frozen lobster from Aldi?
How do you cook lobster tails from Aldi?
How to cook Aldi lobster in the oven?
Can you cook frozen lobster tails at Aldi?
Before cooking your Aldi frozen lobster tails, it’s important to properly prepare them. Start by thawing the tails in the refrigerator overnight or by submerging them in cold water for a quicker thaw. Once thawed, remove the tails from the packaging and rinse them under cold water.
Does Aldi have cold water lobster tails?
Luckily, there’s no shortage at Aldi, where cold water lobster tails have just hit the frozen foods section. That means you’ll be able to satisfy your lobster craving after a quick spin to the store.
How long do you cook frozen lobster tails?
After the water returns to a boil, you cook the tails for 5-6 minutes if thawed or 8-9 minutes if frozen. No matter which method you choose, be sure to season the lobster tails with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with melted butter and lemon wedges for a classic seafood dinner. Why Choose Aldi Frozen Lobster Tails?
Can You Grill frozen lobster tails?
Grilling Aldi frozen lobster tails is a great option if you want to add a smoky flavor to your seafood. To start, preheat your grill to medium heat, or about 375 degrees F / 190 degrees C. Next, butterfly the tails by using scissors to cut lengthwise through the top or curved side of the shell.