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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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
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.
This dish, for me, is the ultimate indulgence. I made it for my birthday dinner last night, and my guests were thrilled. We used the broiling method, and I was thrilled at how quick it was! We served with crusty bread to mop up the garlic butter sauce – which was just so good, I think I will double it next time!
Simple, delicious, impressive – love those combos in a recipe and this does it all. My husband will be overjoyed that I am serving him lobster for a weekend date night 😉
I used your recipe to make broiled lobster tails last night and they were better than our favorite seafood restaurant makes. Thank you!
I have never made lobster tail (or any kind of lobster recipe before). Your tips for how to butterfly the lobster tail were so helpful! Mine turned out so delicious! I’ll be making more lobster tail from now on. Thank you!
That is restaurant quality lobster! I never knew it was that easy to make lobster tail – and I love anything with garlic butter. Made a fantastic Valentine’s day dinner. Yum!
My go-to method of cooking lobster tails! Works great in the toaster oven and air fryer too! I sprinkle a bit of ol’ bay seasoning on top. Amazing!
I have always been too nervous to cook my own lobster, and usually buy it pre-cooked from my local seafood shop. Today, I braved preparing and cooking it and the result was absolute perfection. We loved the garlic butter – yum!
I nearly discarded the shells, but just saw your post on lobster stock, so I know what I will be doing with these now. Great to have discovered your blog – I can easily see many recipes more to try.
First time ever making lobster tails. Recipe was super easy and I appreciated the helpful tips throughout. Definitely adding this recipe to my list!
My first time making lobster tails and I love all your easy to follow steps. I made mine the same way and it was so tasty and was great presentation.
After trying this recipe out, am definitely adding these broiled lobster tails to our Christmas menu. So easy and really delicious!
It’s been so long since I’ve had lobster…what a fabulous meal and beautifully photographed! My whole family loved how tender and juicy these tails were!
Hi Jamie,
I am testing recipes for our festive table, and this one will certainly be a feature.
Lobster is a real treat where I live, and it is perfect for a celebration. I am so pleased to find a recipe that does this wonderful ingredient justice.
I followed your recipe exactly, and it was truly perfection.
I am off to search your website now for other recipes to include in our festive feast.
Many thanks, Angela
I think people feel intimidated making restaurant favorites at home but your guide for cooking lobster tails ensured that they came out perfect.
A sensational lobster tail recipe! It was so decadent. We served it with some lemony steamed asparagus and some white wine. Loved using the broiler. Thanks a million for sharing—it made our dinner incredibly special! ????
I tried this broiled lobster tail with garlic butter and it was a seafood lover’s dream come true. The succulent lobster, perfectly complemented by the zesty garlic butter and a hint of heat from the red pepper flakes, made for a luxurious dining experience that I can’t wait to savor again.
Really appreciate all the helpful information on making the perfect lobster tail. Comes out great every time! Thank you!
My husband bought some tails this week. I tried this recipe and he said it was restaurant worthy – very good! Thanks for the great recipe!
excellent! easy!
I never knew making lobster tails was so easy! Thank for the detailed instructions. I will be making these again for sure!
So succulent and tasty! The garlic butter made it!