Garlic Butter Lobster Tails
Garlic Butter Lobster Tails are a restaurant-quality seafood dish featuring tender, juicy lobster brushed with a rich garlic butter sauce and baked or broiled to perfection. This elegant yet easy recipe is perfect for date nights, holidays, or any special occasion.
Equipment
- Kitchen shears
- Baking sheet
- Small mixing bowl
- Pastry brush or spoon
- Measuring spoons
- Knife
- Oven mitts
- Meat thermometer, optional but helpful
Ingredients
For the Lobster Tails
- 4 lobster tails about 5 to 6 ounces each
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 3 garlic cloves finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper optional
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Step 2: Cut the lobster shells
- Place each lobster tail shell-side up. Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the top shell, stopping before the tail fin.
Step 3: Lift the lobster meat
- Gently pull the shell apart. Loosen the lobster meat from the shell, then lift it slightly so it rests on top of the shell. Keep the end attached near the tail.
Step 4: Make the garlic butter
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne if using.
Step 5: Brush the lobster
- Place the lobster tails on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the garlic butter generously over the lobster meat. Save a little for serving if you like.
Step 6: Bake the lobster tails
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the lobster meat is opaque and firm. The internal temperature should reach 140°F to 145°F.
Step 7: Garnish and serve
- Spoon any extra garlic butter over the top. Add fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.