Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter | YumAndJoy

Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter

Succulent and tender, these baked lobster tails are perfectly flavored with a garlic lemon butter sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes, this elegant dish is perfect for a special dinner or when you want to treat yourself to a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: Prep and cook in just 20 minutes!
  • Restaurant Quality: Perfectly tender lobster with a rich garlic butter sauce.
  • Impressive Presentation: Elegant enough for special occasions.
  • Simple Ingredients: Requires only a handful of kitchen staples.
  • Versatile: Great as a main dish or paired with pasta, salad, or vegetables.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

  • 24 ounces lobster tails (4 tails, 6 ounces each, thawed if frozen)
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced (plus more for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Prepare the Oven: Preheat the broiler and position the oven rack 6-8 inches below the heating element.
  2. Make the Garlic Butter: Melt the butter in a small bowl. Remove from heat and stir in the minced garlic, lemon juice, and parsley. Reserve half of the mixture for dipping.
  3. Prep the Lobster Tails:
    • Place the lobster tails on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish.
    • Using kitchen shears, cut down the top of each shell lengthwise to the fin.
    • Gently use your fingers to separate the meat from the shell, keeping it attached at the base.
    • Lift the meat and rest it on top of the split shell.
  4. Season and Butter: Season the lobster meat with salt and pepper. Brush generously with the garlic butter sauce.
  5. Broil the Lobster: Broil the lobster tails for about 10 minutes, brushing with more garlic butter halfway through. The lobster is done when the meat is white and opaque, and the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  6. Serve: Garnish with additional parsley if desired. Serve with the reserved garlic butter for dipping.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 4
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes

Variations

  • Spicy Lobster: Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a bit of heat.
  • Herb Butter: Use a mix of fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chives for a different flavor.
  • Parmesan Topping: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the lobster tails before broiling for a cheesy crust.
  • Citrus Twist: Add orange or lime zest to the butter sauce for a citrusy punch.
  • Grilled Lobster Tails: Instead of broiling, grill the lobster tails over medium-high heat for a smoky flavor.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • Reheating: Reheat gently in the oven at 300°F or in the microwave at low power to avoid overcooking.
  • Freezing: It’s best to freeze raw lobster tails, but cooked tails can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

1. How do I know when the lobster tails are done?

The meat should be white and opaque, with an internal temperature of 145°F.

2. Can I use frozen lobster tails?

Yes, just make sure to thaw them completely in the refrigerator before cooking.

3. What should I serve with lobster tails?

Pair them with garlic mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad for a complete meal.

4. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the amount of added salt to balance the flavors.

5. How do I prevent the lobster from drying out?

Basting the lobster with garlic butter during cooking helps keep it moist. Avoid overcooking, as lobster can become rubbery.

6. Can I grill lobster tails instead of broiling?

Absolutely! Grill the prepared lobster tails meat-side down for 3-4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes, brushing with garlic butter.

7. Can I make the garlic butter sauce ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the sauce in advance and reheat gently before using.

8. How do I remove the vein from the lobster tail?

Use kitchen shears to split the shell, then pull out the vein (it looks like a thin black thread) with your fingers or a knife.

9. What type of lobster tails should I buy?

Look for cold-water lobster tails for the best flavor and texture.

10. Can I substitute the parsley with other herbs?

Yes, fresh thyme, chives, or dill work well as alternatives.

Conclusion

These baked lobster tails with garlic butter are an elegant and easy dish that’s perfect for any special occasion or a fancy dinner at home. With their tender meat, rich butter sauce, and zesty lemon flavor, they’re sure to impress. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe is simple, delicious, and absolutely irresistible!

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Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter

Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter


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  • Author: asma
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Make these elegant and succulent Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter in just 20 minutes! Perfectly cooked lobster topped with garlic lemon butter creates a luxurious yet easy dish that’s ideal for any special occasion.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Lobster Tails:
    • 4 lobster tails (6 ounces each), thawed
  • Garlic Butter Sauce:
    • 1 stick butter (1/2 cup), melted
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced (plus more for garnish)
  • Seasoning:
    • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the broiler:
    • Set your oven to broil and move the oven rack to 6–8 inches below the broiler.
  2. Prepare the garlic butter sauce:
    • Melt the butter in a small bowl. Remove from heat and stir in minced garlic, lemon juice, and parsley. Reserve half the mixture for dipping.
  3. Prep the lobster tails:
    • Place the lobster tails on a baking sheet or oven-safe dish.
    • Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the shell to the tail fin. Gently pry the meat from the shell, keeping it attached at the base, and lift the meat to rest on top of the shell.
  4. Season and brush with sauce:
    • Season the lobster meat with salt and pepper. Brush generously with the garlic butter sauce.
  5. Broil the lobster tails:
    • Broil for 10 minutes, brushing with more garlic butter halfway through. The lobster is done when the meat is white, opaque, and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
  6. Garnish and serve:
    • Garnish the lobster tails with additional fresh parsley. Serve immediately with the reserved garlic butter for dipping.

Notes

  • For even cooking, ensure lobster tails are fully thawed before preparing.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  • Serve alongside lemon wedges, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Broiling
  • Cuisine: American
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