How Much Does Lobster Tail Cost?

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 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour) 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 (≈2.3 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) for two tails at your local grocery store or online.

The price for two lobster tails at Sam’s Club is close to $38 (≈2.5 hours at the office earning $15/hour) weighing close to a pound, while at Costco you can buy lobster tails for around $90 (≈6 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) 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 (≈1.8 hours at the office earning $15/hour). 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 (≈4.8 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) per pound. For example, at Yankee Lobster Company they charge approximately $55 (≈3.7 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) 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 (≈5 hours of labor required at $15/hour) for a pack of 2. Amazon.com offers a pack of 8 large Maine lobster tails, each weighing 8-10 oz, for $158.99 (≈1.3 days working for this purchase at $15/hour). Maine Lobster Now offers a 12-14 oz Maine lobster tail for $90.00 (≈6 hours of your life traded for $15/hour). Browne Trading Company offers frozen Maine lobster tails for $90.00 (≈6 hours of your life traded for $15/hour). 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 (≈1.8 days of desk time at a $15/hour wage) for a pack of 2 to 6.

Lobster tail details

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 (≈3 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job), 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.