How Much Does Lobster Tail Cost? (2024)

Last Updated on October 3, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by How Much Does Lobster Tail Cost? (1) CFA Alexander Popinker

One of the most popular and tastiest parts of a lobster is its tail. The tails are considered a delicacy in almost most restaurants, but they’re also available to buy from grocery stores or seafood markets if you prefer cooking them yourself.

How much do lobster tails cost?

On average, a pound of lobster tail will usually be priced anywhere from $30 to $50 per pound. The price, of course, will depend on some factors, like your location, the place you purchase it from, the kind of lobster you’re going for, and the current market conditions.

Coldwater lobster tails can cost about $5 more per pound, according to reluctantgourmet.com. The average size of a tail is six ounces which makes the market price about $35 for two tails at your local grocery store or online.

The price for two lobster tails at Sam’s Club is close to $38 weighing close to a pound, while at Costco you can buy lobster tails for around$90 for a box of eight to nine that would weigh close to seven ounces each.

You might also like our articles about the cost of yellowfin tuna, shrimp, or King crab.

At Kroger, they sell packages of five ounces of lobster tail for close to $9. On the other hand, if you were to buy their eight-ounce wild-caught lobster tail, you would spend around $27. You can buy lobster tails online, from Amazon. You can get your hands on some of their best sellers in packs that are priced at around $2 per ounce.

If you want to have just the lobster meat from the tail, then it might cost about$65-$72 per pound. For example, at Yankee Lobster Company they charge approximately $55 for every single pound of meat you get.

Maine lobster tail prices

They offer colossal lobster tails from hard-shell, cold-water Maine lobsters. Their products can be ordered with free overnight shipping.They also provide a range of other seafood products including live lobsters, chowders, bisques, shrimps, and scallops.

The cost of lobster tails from Maine varies depending on the size, vendor, and quantity. The prices provide examples of the cost of Maine lobster tails according to different customer reviews and available searches.

Maine Lobster Now offers Maine lobster tails in various sizes, ranging from 3-4 oz to 8-10 oz, with prices ranging from $21.99 to $74.99 for a pack of 2.

Amazon.com offers a pack of 8 large Maine lobster tails, each weighing 8-10 oz, for $158.99.

Maine Lobster Now offers a 12-14 oz Maine lobster tail for $90.00.

Browne Trading Company offers frozen Maine lobster tails for $90.00.

Lobster Gram offers Maine lobster tails in various sizes, ranging from 6-7 oz to 10-12 oz, with prices ranging from $110.00 to $215.00 for a pack of 2 to 6.

Lobster tail details

How Much Does Lobster Tail Cost? (2)There are varying sizes of lobster tails, from as small as four ounces to 14 and sometimes even more.

When it comes to a lobster tail, some will be warm water tails while others are cold water lobster tails. Warm-water tails can come from the warmer waters in Florida and Latin America, whereas your colder ones will most likely originate from New Zealand or Australia. You will also notice some definite taste differences between the tail meat.

Coldwater tails have a whiter appearance and are more tender due to slower growth in colder waters. They also can be cleaner tasting than the ones from warmer waters.

Any additional expenses to consider?

Ordering lobster tails online has its drawbacks because shipping fees can be noticeable. Shoppers may have to spend anywhere from$15 to $45, which is a significant amount of money considering the majority of retailers won’t waive these costs if you don’t meet their order requirements.

Most suppliers offer overnight or next-day delivery, especially for perishable items like seafood. This ensures that the product reaches the customer in the best possible condition.

Important things to consider

If you’re looking for a tasty lobster tail, don’t just grab the first one! Remember to ask the retailer whether it’s from cold or warm water. If they are unsure of their origin then walk away and continue your search elsewhere. There could be yellow spots on those tails if you were to examine them closely, which might indicate that they come from warmer waters.

The black spots on them could indicate mishandling and should not be eaten. At the same time, if the tail has a grayish color, it might mean that the lobster was dead when it was processed. Make sure you go for lobsters with smaller tails because they have a better flavor.

Cooking lobster tails is simple. For boiling, use salted water and boil based on weight. Steaming requires a basket and takes 7-8 minutes for small tails. Grilling involves buttering the tails and grilling for about 10 minutes. Broiling needs a preheated broiler and takes 5-10 minutes. Baking at 350°F with seasoning lasts 15-20 minutes, and you can always add a sauce at the end.

Regardless of the cooking method, it’s essential to avoid overcooking lobster tails as they can become tough and rubbery. The best lobster meat should be opaque and firm when done. Always serve with melted butter, lemon wedges, or a garlic dip for the best flavor!

For simple recipes, you can look on websites like Food Network.

Is there any way to spend less?

One way to check if a retailer is reputable and trustworthy is by researching them on the internet. If you see prices that seem too good to be true, then they probably are. A store might sell lobster tail at an unrealistically low price because it’s not as flavorful in comparison with fresh-caught ones.

Winter is the prime time to buy and enjoy lobster. If you are looking for a great deal on these delicious crustaceans, check out your local Costco and see if they’re selling any of those cases in bulk.

How Much Does Lobster Tail Cost? (2024)

FAQs

How much lobster is in a tail? ›

When planning menus many of our customers ask how fresh frozen lobster tails equate to the size of a live lobster tail – the following is our rule of thumb: 4/5 oz is approximately equal to a 1 – 1 1/8 pound live lobster tail.

Why are lobster tails so expensive right now? ›

After decades of harvesting, the population has decreased, but the demand continues to grow. Lobsters aren't fast-growing creatures, either. In fact, they can take about seven years to grow to the minimum size needed for harvesting, which is about a pound.

How many lobsters does it take to get 1 lb of lobster meat? ›

How many lobsters yield a pound lobster lobster meat? It would require about five 1 lb. live lobsters to make a pound of cooked meat.

What month is lobster cheapest? ›

October, November, and December. Next to late spring, fall is one of the best times of year to buy good, hard-shell lobsters. After Labor Day, all the tourists have gone home, and the lobster landings are at their highest. Lobster prices stay reasonable, rising a bit at Christmas time.

Is a 2 lb lobster a good size? ›

The 2 lb. lobster is an excellent size lobster to impress any dinner guest. This weight is the most in-demand for upscale steakhouses and restaurants.

Is an 8 oz lobster tail big? ›

Our 8 to 10 oz. Fresh Maine Large Lobster Tails are pulled fresh out of the water and shipped overnight at no extra cost. Each tail is about as large as a 2-pound live lobster tail and will allow you to taste what lobster from Maine is all about.

Should you buy fresh or frozen lobster tails? ›

Certainly, few would argue that fresh lobster is considered of higher quality than frozen lobster. Fresh lobster is also highly accessible. In today's marketplace,, anyone can experience the taste of fresh, wild-caught Maine lobster hauled out of the Gulf the day before.

What months should you not eat lobster? ›

An old rule of thumb warns that shellfish should be avoided during months with no R's—May, June, July, and August—exactly the season that many of us are heading for the shore and eager to sample the fruits of the sea.

Is lobster tail worth it? ›

Lobster tails are just the tail portion of the lobster, which is often considered the most flavorful part of the lobster. They are typically easier to handle and cook, making them a favorite for many.

What size lobster tastes best? ›

Which Size Lobsters Taste Best? Giant, large, and smaller, legal-size lobsters all taste fine. They just need to be cooked in specific ways. That said, it's best to stick to smaller-size lobsters because that's the most sustainable option.

What is the lifespan of a lobster? ›

Most lobsters that you see in a grocery store or at a restaurant are at least 5-7 years old and weigh about 1-2 pounds. But lobsters can be much bigger and much older. They could live to be over 100 years old! How big can a lobster get?

How old is a 2lb lobster? ›

To reach the legal size of about 3.25 inches and weigh 1 pound, lobsters usually take an average of 5-7 years and will grow more slowly as they get older. Therefore, a 2 lb lobster is estimated to be 10 - 15 years old and a 25 lb lobster will be about 75 - 100 years old.

When not to buy lobster? ›

Lobsters with missing or chewed antennae have spent time in storage. Inspect the claw bands. Another sign you've bought a fresh caught lobster is if the claw bands are free from stains and sea grime. Avoid a lobster with a cracked shell or claw.

Are lobsters in Maine cheaper? ›

Lobsters shipped from Maine are more expensive than local lobsters elsewhere because of the shipping. If you go to Maine you can get cheap local lobsters there too.

What is the cheap version of lobster? ›

Monkfish is a cook's delight because it's so adaptable; its firm texture suits it to dishes like bouillabaisse, and its mild flavor can be stepped up with marinades and sauce." Noted occasionally as being the “poor man's lobster”. It's a firm fish, usually cut as loins or medallions and is easy to prepare.

How old is a 10 pound lobster? ›

Considering that it takes a legal-size lobster measuring 3.25” in carapace length and weighing around 1 pound 7 to 11 years to reach sexual maturity, a 10-pound lobster could be 50 or more years old.

Is it better to buy whole lobster or tails? ›

The choice between lobster tails and whole lobster boils down to your personal preference. If you enjoy the adventure and variety of flavors and textures, whole lobster may be your pick. However, if you prefer a simpler, more streamlined lobster experience focused on the tail meat, lobster tails might be your best bet.

How much meat from a 1.5 lb lobster? ›

Know in the trade as “halves,” a 1.5-pound live lobster is a medium to large-sized lobster yielding approximately 6 to 8 ounces of meat. If lobster is the main event, then we recommend ordering one 1.5 lb. lobster per person.

Is a 5 oz lobster tail small? ›

These tails come from smaller “sweet” lobsters, and the 4-5 oz. portion is a perfect size for so many recipes - we recommend two tails per person!

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