These broiled lobster tails with garlic butter are tender, succulent, and perfectly cooked! Learn how to thaw, prepare, butterfly, and cook lobster tails in the oven until tender and juicy. Great on Valentine's Day, Christmas, or any special occasion!
Broiled lobster tail is one of the best ways to serve lobster. It's fast, easy, and results in perfectly cooked lobster every time. It's great for Christmas, Valentine's day, date night at home, birthdays, and anniversary dinners!
These lobster tails are butterflied, covered in a garlic butter sauce, broiled in the oven, and finished with freshly squeezed lemon juice. This method results in tender, juicy, succulent lobster tails that's sure to impress.
Ingredients
- Lobster tails - Choose ones with firm, uniformly colored flesh. Avoid ones that have a fishy smell or cracked shells. You can find lobster tails at most grocery stores or at Costco.
- Garlic butter sauce - Butter, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes. This garlic butter sauce keeps the lobster moist and juicy while in the oven. Reserve some for dipping later.
How to Thaw Lobster Tails
Refrigerator (overnight method) - Set frozen lobster tails on a plate topped with paper towels and place it inside a resealable bag. The paper towels will absorb excess liquid. Allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge.
Faster method - Place frozen lobster tails inside a resealable bag and let out as much air as possible. Place the bag in a bowl of cold water and refresh the water every 15 to 20 minutes until the lobster is completely thawed.
How to Butterfly Lobster Tails
Taking sharp kitchen shears, cut down the top of the shell until right before you reach the tail fin.
Spread the shell open and remove the lobster meat. Push the shell together and gently place the meat on top. If needed, use a spoon to help detach the meat from the shell.
Brush with garlic butter sauce and prepare to cook in the oven.
How to Cook Lobster Tails (Broil, Bake, Steam)
Broil: Preheat oven to broil (500 degrees F) and place the rack 5 inches from the top heating element. Broil until fully cooked, about 7 to 10 minutes depending on size.
Bake: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and place the rack in the center of the oven. Bake until fully cooked, about 12 to 15 minutes depending on size.
Steam: Place a steamer basket in a pot with 1 to 2 inches of boiling water. Steam until fully cooked, about 6 to 8 minutes for small to medium tails or 8 to 12 minutes for large tails.
You can boil lobster tails as well but I prefer not to as it loses a lot of flavor in the water.
More recipes:
Broiled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter
Equipment
☑ Ingredients
- 2 lobster tails
- lemon wedges - for serving
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 Tablespoon parsley - chopped
- ⅓ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt - only if using unsalted butter
- ⅙ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat oven to broil (500° F) and place the oven rack 5 inches from the top heating element.
- Butterfly lobster tails: Using sharp kitchen shears, cut down the length of the lobster tail just before reaching the tail fin. Pull out the meat and lay it on top of the shell. If needed, use a spoon to help detach the meat from the shell. See photos in post for details.
- Make garlic butter: Combine all ingredients for the garlic butter sauce and brush on top of lobster. Thoroughly cover the meat to keep it moist and prevent it from drying out in the oven. Make extra for serving if desired.3 Tablespoons melted butter, 2 cloves garlic, 1 Tablespoon parsley, ⅓ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes, ⅛ teaspoon sea salt, ⅙ teaspoon black pepper
- Broil: Broil until the lobster is fully cooked. It should take about 7 to 10 minutes depending on size. The meat should be firm, opaque, and white in color with an internal temperature of 140° to 145° F. Serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools.
The lobster tail flesh should be firm to the touch and opaque white in color. The internal temperature should reach 140 to 145 degrees F at the thickest part of the meat.
Broiling or baking lobster tails results in the best flavor as I find it concentrates their flavor. Be sure to cover the lobster in butter before cooking as it prevents the meat from drying out.
If possible, avoid boiling lobster tails it loses a lot of flavor in the water.
Sara
I never knew making lobster tails was so easy! Thank for the detailed instructions. I will be making these again for sure!
Beth Sachs
So succulent and tasty! The garlic butter made it!