Looking for a captivating explosion of flavors that whisks you away to a tropical paradise? Search no more and indulge in the sublime pleasure of savoring tropical lobster tacos! These mouthwatering creations blend the succulent essence of fresh lobster with a medley of vibrant ingredients, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will captivate your taste buds.
Below, I will share my favorite lobster taco recipe using lobster tails.
Tropical Lobster Tacos Recipe
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Rest Time
0 minutes
Total Time
40 minutes
Ingredients
The Creamy Sauce
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Lobster
There are several ways you can prepare and cook lobster (boil, broil, bake, grill), and ultimately, which method to go with is based on your personal preference.
1. Fill a spacious pot with water and heat it until it reaches a boiling point. Ensure that the water is sufficiently deep to completely immerse the lobsters.
2. Gently submerge the live lobsters into the boiling water and let them cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes on medium heat or until they transform into a vibrant shade of red.
3. After cooking, extract the lobsters from the pot using kitchen tongs and allow them to cool for a few minutes.
4. Carefully crack open the lobsters' shells and extract the meat. Chop the lobster meat into bite-sized pieces and set them aside.
5. Season the chopped lobster meat with a dash of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Feel free to add your favorite spices.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce
1. Combine the fresh basil, parsley, tarragon, chives, and garlic in a food processor or blender. Pulse the mixture a few times to chop and blend the ingredients together.
2. Add the avocado, lemon juice, lime juice, and white wine vinegar to the food processor.
3. Blend or process the mixture until it reaches a smooth and creamy texture. Add a tablespoon or two of water to achieve your desired consistency if the dressing appears too thick.
4. Sample the dressing and season it with salt and pepper to suit your taste. Fine-tune the flavors by incorporating additional lemon juice or vinegar, if desired.
5. Transfer the sauce to a jar or airtight container, then place it in the refrigerator until ready to be used. I recommend using the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour. This will enable the flavors to blend harmoniously.
Step 3: Heat the tortilla and Chop Your Toppings
1. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a flame until they become pliable and slightly charred around the rim.
2. Chop the pineapple and lettuce, and thinly slice the radish.
Step 4: Assemble the Tropical Lobster Tacos
1. Place a generous portion of the grilled lobster meat on top of the tortilla.
2. Shredded lettuce, thinly sliced radish, and chopped pineapple.
3. Finish it off with a spoonful of the creamy sauce onto each tortilla.
4. Repeat the process for the remaining tortillas.
5. Serve the tropical lobster tacos on a platter, garnishing with additional lime wedges and fresh cilantro if desired.
Tips & Notes
Properly cook the lobster: Whether you're boiling, grilling, or pan-searing the lobster, be mindful not to overcook it. Lobster meat becomes tough and rubbery when overcooked. Follow the recommended cooking times and methods to ensure perfectly cooked lobster meat.
Warm the tortillas properly: To enhance the texture and flavor, warm the tortillas before assembling the tacos. You can heat them in a dry skillet, place them directly over a flame for a few seconds, or wrap them in foil and warm them in the oven.
Nutritional Facts
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Calories
403
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10.3g
13%
Saturated Fat 1.3g
7%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 45mg
2%
Total Carbohydrate 41.7g
15%
Dietary Fiber 8.4g
30%
Total Sugars 3.7g
Protein 36.7g
Vitamin D 0mcg
0%
Calcium 97mg
7%
Iron 2mg
10%
Potassium 521mg
11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.
What You Will Need To Make Lobster Tacos
Lobster Tails Or Cooked Lobster Meat
Look for either lobster tail or cooked fresh lobster meat at your local grocery store or seafood market. If it's possible, get a live lobster, as it is fresh and more cost-effective than purchasing just lobster tails or cooked lobster meat. If you have leftover cooked lobster meat, you can also use that.
Note: Each large lobster tail can make about three lobster tacos.
Tortillas
Opt for soft corn tortillas for an authentic and gluten-free experience. Alternatively, you can use flour tortillas if you prefer.
Tropical Fruit
To prepare tropical lobster tacos, you will need tropical fruit. I used pineapple in this taco recipe, but feel free to use mango, papaya, or your favorite tropical fruit.
Creamy Sauce
Mix avocado, fresh lemon juice, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, basil, chive, and green onion to create a delectable sauce to complement the lobster's flavors.
I like making this creamy sauce for various dishes because it is healthy and offers a vibrant flavor profile. Unlike other sauces packed with mayonnaise, this creamy sauce uses avocado, and it offers a refreshing and herbaceous taste with hints of tanginess and creaminess.
However, feel free to use your favorite creamy sauce, whether a creamy lemon butter sauce or a cajun cream.
Fresh Vegetables
Fresh vegetables, such as shredded lettuce and thinly sliced radish, enhance the taco's texture and taste. However, feel free to use your favorite vegetables.
Cooking Oil
Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable or canola oil, for sautéing or grilling the lobster.
How To Elevate Tropical Lobster Tacos
Experiment With Marinades
Instead of simply seasoning the lobster meat, marinate it in a tropical-inspired blend of flavors. Combine ingredients like lime juice, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of honey. Let the lobster marinate for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking to infuse it with vibrant and complex flavors.
Toasted Coconut
Add a delightful tropical twist by incorporating toasted coconut into your taco assembly. Toast shredded coconut in a dry pan until golden brown and sprinkle it over the tacos for a subtle nutty flavor and a delightful crunchy texture.
Pickled Onions
Make quick-pickled red onions by thinly slicing them and soaking them in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and salt for about 30 minutes. The tangy and slightly sweet pickled onions add a punch of flavor and a vibrant pop of color to the tacos.
Spicy Mango Salsa
Elevate the tropical fruit salsa by adding a spicy kick. Combine diced mango with finely chopped jalapeños or serrano peppers, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. The spicy mango salsa adds a delightful contrast of heat and sweetness to the lobster tacos.
Avocado Crema
Prepare a luscious avocado crema by whisking the ingredients together until creamy, ideal for drizzling over the tacos. Blend ripe avocados with sour cream, lime juice, garlic, and a touch of salt until smooth and creamy. The avocado crema adds a creamy and luxurious element that pairs wonderfully with the lobster and other toppings.
Buttery Lobster
If you are seeking buttery lobster tacos, cook the lobster in melted butter. You will want to use enough butter to fully coat the lobster tails or meat and provide a rich and indulgent flavor.
Add Homemade pico de gallo
Integrating homemade pico de gallo into lobster tacos brings a vibrant burst of flavor and texture. The fresh, zesty blend of tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime in pico de gallo contrasts beautifully with the sweet, succulent lobster, adding a lively, refreshing element.
Cilantro lime crema
Adding cilantro lime crema to lobster tacos infuses them with a creamy, tangy twist that perfectly complements the rich, tender lobster meat. The zesty lime and aromatic cilantro in the crema offer a bright freshness. At the same time, the smooth texture provides a cooling contrast, enriching the taco with layers of flavor and a luxurious mouthfeel.
