Frozen Lobster Tails for Sale: Picking the Right Size

If you’re shopping for frozen lobster tails for sale, the first decision is size, and it’s the one most people get wrong. A 4-ounce tail next to a 12-ounce steak looks lonely on the plate. A jumbo 20-ounce tail at a casual Tuesday dinner is overkill. The right size depends on what you’re cooking, who you’re feeding, and what role the lobster is playing in the meal.

This guide breaks down the three Maine lobster tail sizes we sell, when to buy each one, and how to cook them once they arrive. By the end, you’ll know exactly which size to order, how many to plan per person, and what to do with the box when it shows up at your door.

TL;DR

• Frozen lobster tails for sale come in three sizes: 4-5 oz., 8-10 oz., and jumbo 20-24 oz.
• 4-5 oz. tails are best for surf and turf or weeknight dinners. Plan two per person if lobster is the main, or one per person alongside a steak.
• 8-10 oz. tails are the main-course choice: one tail per person, plated as the centerpiece.
• Jumbo 20-24 oz. tails are for milestone occasions and holiday centerpieces.
• All tails are wild-caught Maine lobster, flash-frozen, raw and in-shell, with free expedited shipping to the continental US.

How do you choose the right lobster tail size?

Before scrolling to a specific product, three quick questions help narrow it down when you’re looking at frozen lobster tails for sale:

• Is the lobster the main event, or a sidekick? If it’s plated next to a steak in a surf and turf, smaller is better. If it’s the entrée, you want a tail that fills the plate.
• How many people are you feeding? Small tails work well in pairs. Larger tails are usually one per person. Bulk cases are for hosting, freezing, or both.
• What’s the occasion? A Tuesday dinner doesn’t need a jumbo tail. A milestone anniversary probably does.

The other thing worth knowing: Maine lobster tails are graded by weight from cold-water Homarus americanus, the species the state of Maine is best known for. Bigger doesn’t mean better-tasting. Smaller tails from younger lobsters are often the sweetest. Bigger tails win on portion size and presentation.

4-5 oz. Maine lobster tails

The classic sweet-spot size. Sweet, tender meat from smaller “sweet” lobsters. We recommend two tails per person for a main course, or one tail per person if you’re doing surf and turf next to a steak.

Buy these for:

• Surf and turf where the lobster isn’t supposed to outweigh the steak
• A quick weeknight lobster dinner for two
• Mother’s Day or Valentine’s dinner

Available in a pack of 4, a pack of 8, or a 10 lb. bulk case (~36 tails) for stocking up.

8-10 oz. Maine lobster tails

Nearly double the meat of a 4-5 oz. tail. This is the size you reach for when you want a real main course: one tail per person, plated as the centerpiece.

Buy these for:

• A serious surf and turf dinner
• A holiday meal where the lobster tail is the entrée
• Family dinners where everyone gets their own tail

Available in a 2-pack or a 10 lb. bulk case (~18 tails).

Jumbo 20-24 oz. Maine lobster tails

These come from lobsters that can weigh close to 10 pounds each. A 10 lb. bulk case has 7 to 8 tails. They’re rare, they’re impressive, and they’re the kind of thing that makes the meal.

Buy these for:

• A milestone birthday or anniversary
• A holiday centerpiece: Easter, Christmas Eve, the works
• Showing off. It’s okay, we get it.

Available in a 10 lb. bulk case.

What every Maine Shelled Lobster tail has in common

No matter which size you pick, every one of our frozen lobster tails for sale is:

• Wild-caught from the cold waters of the North Atlantic
• Flash-frozen at peak freshness to lock in flavor and texture without artificial preservatives
• Raw and in-shell, so you cook them yourself. Part of the fun.
• Shipped with free expedited shipping to the continental US

How do you cook frozen lobster tails?

All frozen lobster tails for sale on this page cook the same way; only the timing changes. Thaw overnight in the fridge, or in cold water for 30 to 60 minutes, changing the water every 15 minutes. Then pick your method:

• Steamed: boil an inch of water, set the tails cut-side up in a steamer basket, cover, and cook 5 to 6 minutes for 4-5 oz. tails or 7 to 9 minutes for jumbo.
• Grilled: use kitchen shears to cut the top of the shell, skewer to keep them from curling, brush with oil, grill flesh-side down for 6 minutes, flip, brush with butter, lemon, and garlic, then another 5 minutes.
• Oven-baked: place in a baking dish, brush with butter and herbs, and bake until the meat is white, firm, and lightly browned.

Tails are done when the meat is opaque white and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F per USDA seafood guidelines. Pull them a touch early; carryover heat finishes the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these raw or pre-cooked?

The frozen lobster tails for sale on our site are all raw, so you cook them. If you want pre-cooked, pre-shelled tail meat, that’s our lobster tail meat product instead.

Why are bulk cases cheaper per tail?

Volume. A bulk case of 4-5 oz. tails works out to about $10.55 per tail. The 8-10 oz. bulk case is about $24.90 per tail. That’s a fraction of restaurant pricing for the same product.

How do I store the tails once they arrive?

Take them out of the shipping box right away. Put them in the freezer if you’re not cooking within 2 days, or in the fridge to thaw if you’re cooking sooner. Don’t leave them sitting at room temperature.

How many frozen lobster tails should I buy per person?

When you buy frozen lobster tails as a main course, plan on one 8-10 oz. tail per person, or two 4-5 oz. tails per person. For surf and turf, one 4-5 oz. tail per person alongside the steak is plenty. For jumbo tails, one per person is more than enough.

Can I refreeze frozen lobster tails after thawing?

Yes, as long as the tails thawed in the refrigerator and never warmed above fridge temperature. Don’t refreeze tails that have been thawed in cold water and left out, or that have already been partially cooked.

Where do the lobsters come from?

Every tail is wild-caught from the cold waters of the North Atlantic off the coast of Maine, harvested by small fishing operations using traditional trap methods. The tails are then flash-frozen soon after harvest to lock in freshness.

Shop Frozen Lobster Tails for Sale, Shipped to Your Door

When you’re shopping for frozen lobster tails for sale, Maine Shelled Lobster keeps it simple: three sizes, raw and in-shell, wild-caught from the cold North Atlantic, and flash-frozen at peak freshness. Free expedited shipping to the continental United States on every order. No surprise fees. No live-lobster handling. No guessing whether your tail came from warm water or cold.

Pick your size, place your order, and we’ll ship Monday through Wednesday so it arrives still frozen and ready for the freezer or the thaw. Whether you’re plating a surf and turf, hosting a holiday dinner, or stocking up with a bulk case, there’s no easier way to buy frozen lobster tails for the table.