The best recipe for Lobster Tail will allow you to pamper yourself with a fine dining experience at home. Bursting with flavor, these broiled lobster tails are doused in a rich buttery sauce infused with garlic, lemon and some smoked paprika. The combination of tender, juicy lobster meat with tangy brightening lemon juice complements one another, while the smoked paprika combined with optional cayenne pepper brings a subtle amount of heat to enhance the lobster’s natural sweetness.
This recipe demystifies the process of cooking lobster, walking you through every step, from preparing the lobster tails to brushing them with the flavorful butter mixture just before broiling. Butterflying the lobster makes for a visual treat with the juicy meat nestled atop the shell, just waiting for a gushing river of garlicky butter to brush all over it. As they cook under the boiler, the lobsters’ tails develop a gorgeous golden color, and the butter sauce penetrates every crevice.
Ready in minutes, this refined dish is ideal for special occasions or any time you want to elevate your dinner. Serve the lobster tails with more melted butter for dipping, a scatter of fresh herbs, and maybe a wedge or two of lemon for brightness. Serve with a simple side salad or with creamy mashed potatoes, these broiled lobster tails assure you a luxurious meal that’s restaurant quality and sure to impress.
Why You’ll Love It:
Restaurant Quality at Home: Master a technique for cooking tender, juicy lobster tails with a golden-brown crust, as if you were dining in a high-end seafood joint.
Easy and Quick: Takes about 15 minutes to prepare, and the cook time is about 1 minute per ounce, so you can have this show-stopping dish on your table in under 30 minutes.
Delicious & Decadent: The sauce is a delicious garlic butter sauce with a bit of smoked paprika and lemon to complement the lobster’s sweetness, making each bite melt in your mouth.
Stunning Presentation: The butterflied lobster tails make an impressive presentation, sure to please your guests—great for dinner parties or special occasions.
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Key Ingredients:
Lobster Tails: For this recipe, you will want 10-ounce lobster tails. Fresh is best, and if you’re using frozen tails, make sure they are completely thawed before beginning. Bigger tails mean more meat, and they`re easier to handle when butterflying.
Butter: Salted butter also brings richness to the sauce. If you’re using unsalted butter, you’ll want to add a small pinch of salt to the mix. Ghee is another excellent choice for a more sophisticated flavor.
Garlic: Minced garlic adds a bright flavor to the butter sauce. Skip garlic powder; it doesn’t have the same bold flavor.
Use fresh lemon juice for this recipe to ensure maximum flavor. Encompassing this is the acidity, which cuts through the creaminess of the butter, adding balance to the dish.
Smoked Paprika: This spice brings a tiny smokiness to the butter sauce that complements the sweetness of the lobster nicely. If you do not have smoked paprika, regular paprika can be used.
Cayenne Pepper: Optional but highly recommended for heat-seekers. Just a little sprinkle can lend a spice that’s not at all overwhelming to the food.
Full list of ingredients with amounts and instructions is located in the recipe card at the bottom of the page
How to Make Perfect Broiled Lobster Tails
Step 1: Defrost the Lobster Tails
If you are using frozen lobster tails, be sure that they are completely thawed out before cooking. Defrost them overnight in the refrigerator, or, for a quicker option, put the tails in a sealed bag and submerge them in a bowl of cold water on the counter for about 30 minutes.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the broiler to 500°F (260°C). Position the oven rack so the lobster tails, when placed on a baking sheet, will sit 4 to 5 inches below the broiler.
Step 3: Prepare the lobster tails
Cut the Shell: Use kitchen shears to cut all the way down the middle of the shell, lengthwise, starting from the end opposite the tail fins and stopping just before you get to the tail fin.
Butterfly the Meat: Gently open the shell with your fingers and thumbs. Pull up lobster meat, separate in shell, leaving attached at tail fin. Gently squeeze the empty shell back together beneath and lay the lobster meat on top, for a pretty presentation. Place the butterflied tails on a running sheet, evenly separating them.
Step 4: Make the butter mixture
In a small bowl, combine melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using); whisk until fully combined. It will be smeared all over the lobster meat, giving it flavor and moisture as it cooks.
Step 5: Brush the Lobster Tails
With a pastry brush or spoon, generously brush the butter mixture over the exposed lobster meat. Why not get your hands dirty and ensure each tail has been coated evenly, so the butter and spices can penatrate the meat for optimal taste?
Step 6: Broil the lobster tails
Put the baking sheet with prepared lobster tails under the pre-heated broiler. Broil until the flesh is opaque and browned — usually about 1 minute per ounce of each lobster tail. As a guide, it takes roughly 10 minutes for a 10-ounce lobster tail. Keep a close eye on them to not overcook; lobster can get tough if left too long under the broiler.
Step 7: Serve and Savor
After broiling the lobster tails until the meat is opaque and glistening with the faintest golden hue, take them from the oven. Give them a moment’s rest before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with extra melted butter for dipping, or eat them plain for their rich, buttery flavor.
Serving Suggestions:
These broiled lobster tails go great with a range of side dishes. Here are a few ideas to round out the meal:
Garlic Mashed Potatoes: The rich creaminess of mashed potatoes works well with the lobster’s richness, absorbing the excess garlic butter.
Roasted Asparagus: A side of asparagus lends earthy balance and complements the lemony garlic butter nicely.
Caesar Salad: A crunchy Caesar salad serves as a refreshing, crispy foil for the tender lobster meat.
Crusty Bread: You will want to soak up all of that gorgeous garlic butter sauce.
Wine Pairing: A glass of chilled Chardonnay or a light Sauvignon Blanc brightens the buttery richness of the lobster.
Storage/Meal Prep Tips:
What to Do with Leftover Lobster Tails: Any leftover lobster tails can be kept for two days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Save any remaining garlic butter for reheating.
Reheat: Keep lobsters from becoming rubbery by reheating gently in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes, basting with reserved garlic butter to keep the meat moist. Refrain from using a microwave, as it can make the lobster tough.
Meal prep: The lobster tails and the butter mixture can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated (separately) up to 4 hours in advance and broiled just before serving. As a result, you can easily prepare them fresh when your guests get there.
Variations:
Grilled Lobster Tails: For a smoky char, follow the instructions for lobsters, then place them on a hot grill over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes each, flipping halfway through. Brush with the garlic butter as they’re cooking.
Spicy Cajun Lobster Tails: Stir 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning into the butter mixture for a spicy twist. The variation is terrific alongside corn on the cob and red potatoes for something like a seafood boil-style meal.
And instead of the compound butter, mix in fresh chopped herbs such as parsley, dill or chives, for an aromatic, herbaceous flavor profile. This variation is great for people who like a gentler, garden-fresh flavor.
Lemon Garlic Parmesan: Top the lobster meat with fresh grated Parmesan cheese prior to broiling to create a crispy, cheesy crust that gives added richness.
This recipe will likely be come to go-to recipe when you want to treat yourself, and/or your loved ones, to something special. With just the right mix of garlic, butter, and a hint of lemon, every bite is a gentle reminder that you don’t need to go out for a truly satisfying seafood meal. Happy cooking!
Broiled Lobster Tails
Ingredients
- 4 10-oz lobster tails fresh or properly thawed if frozen
- 1/4 cup salted butter melted (1/2 stick)
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper optional, for a subtle kick
Instructions
- If using frozen lobster tails, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or place them in a sealed bag and submerge in cold water for about 30 minutes.
- Set your oven to Broil mode at 500°F (260°C). Adjust the oven rack so that when the lobster tails are placed on a baking sheet, they will sit 4 to 5 inches below the broiler.
- Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the shell lengthwise, stopping just before reaching the tail fin. Carefully spread the shell open and pull the lobster meat upward, separating it from the shell while keeping the end attached at the tail fin. Arrange the butterflied tails on a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Using a pastry brush or spoon, generously brush the butter mixture over the exposed lobster meat, ensuring each tail is evenly coated.
- Place the baking sheet with the prepared lobster tails under the preheated broiler. Broil until the meat is opaque and lightly browned, about 1 minute per ounce. For a 10-ounce lobster tail, this will take about 10 minutes. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
- Once the lobster tails are broiled to perfection, remove them from the oven and let rest for a moment before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with extra melted butter, if desired.