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Home » Dinner » Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter

Published: February 13, 2020 Last Modified: February 13, 2020 By Sara 37 Comments

Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter

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Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe | Broiled Lobster Tails | Lobster Recipe #lobster #seafood #butter #keto #lowcarb #glutenfree #dinner #dinneratthezoo

These lobster tails are coated in garlic butter then broiled to tender perfection. A super simple, yet elegant way to enjoy lobster in the comfort of your own home!

Lobster is the ultimate indulgence, and while it may seem intimidating, it’s actually quite easy to prepare. Serve your lobster tail with mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli for a fabulous meal that will earn you tons of rave reviews.

Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe | Broiled Lobster Tails | Lobster Recipe #lobster #seafood #butter #keto #lowcarb #glutenfree #dinner #dinneratthezoo Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe | Broiled Lobster Tails | Lobster Recipe #lobster #seafood #butter #keto #lowcarb #glutenfree #dinner #dinneratthezoo

Broiled lobster tails topped with garlic butter.

Lobster is the perfect main course for a special occasion, but many people think it can be difficult to prepare. These broiled lobster tails contain minimal ingredients and can be expertly prepared by any home cook.

How to butterfly a lobster tail

You don’t have to butterfly a lobster tail to cook it, but it makes for a much more elegant presentation and is easier to eat that way, so I highly recommend it! The first step is to cut down the back of each lobster tail. I find this works best with a pair of sharp kitchen shears. Carefully pull apart the shell and place your fingers underneath the meat to gently pull it up in one piece. You want to keep the meat still attached at the bottom. Place the lobster tail meat on top of each shell, then close the shell around the bottom of the meat. When the the lobster cooks, it will expand into that pretty fan shape that you often see when you order lobster at a restaurant.

Lobster tails with a cut down the back of each one.

How to cook lobster tail

This recipe starts with a seasoned garlic butter mixture, which is brushed all over the lobster meat. The lobster tails go into the oven to broil until the meat is opaque and just cooked through. Be careful not to overcook your lobster or it can get tough! I brush more of the garlic butter mixture over the lobster after it’s cooked, then it’s time to serve and enjoy.

Lobster meat butterflied on top of lobster shells.

How long do you bake a lobster tail?

Typically lobster tails cook through in about 10 minutes under the broiler. If you have larger than average tails, it may take up to 15 minutes. For small tails, it could take as little as 6-8 minutes. I start checking my lobster tails around the 8 minute mark, and if it looks like the meat is still translucent, I add a few minutes more to the kitchen timer.

A spoon pouring garlic butter over a lobster tail.

Tips for broiled lobster tails

  • You can use any type of lobster for this recipe. I’ve used Maine lobster, but you can use a warm water spiny lobster if you prefer.
  • I recommend serving lobster immediately after it comes out of the oven. Lobster can get tough when reheated.
  • Serve your lobster with lemon wedges and fresh parsley for garnish, you can also add more melted butter on the side for dipping.
  • If you have leftover lobster, chop it up and make some lobster mac and cheese!
  • If you’re making this dish for company, you can butterfly your lobster tails earlier on in the day. That way, all you have to do before dinner is brush on the butter and cook your tails.

A lobster tail served with mashed potatoes and broccoli.

What to serve with lobster tails

I like to serve a starch and a vegetable alongside my lobster for a complete meal.

  • Roasted Green Beans
  • Sauteed Garlic Mushrooms
  • Garlic & Herb Asparagus
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Homemade Rice-A-Roni

You can NEVER go wrong with lobster, and this simple preparation really lets the fresh flavors shine through. It’s a practically fool proof way to enjoy this fabulous seafood!

Lobster Tail Video

Broiled lobster tails topped with garlic butter.
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5 from 24 votes

Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter

These lobster tails are coated in garlic butter then broiled to tender perfection. A super simple, yet elegant way to enjoy lobster in the comfort of your own home!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 132kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 6 lobster tails butterflied (see text for instructions)
  • 5 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon minced parsley plus more for garnish
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • cooking spray
  • lemon wedges

Instructions

  • Preheat the broiler. Coat a sheet pan with cooking spray and arrange the lobster tails on the pan.
  • Place the butter, garlic, parsley, paprika and salt in a small bowl. Microwave in 20 second increments until butter is melted. Stir to combine.
  • Drizzle half of the butter mixture over the lobster tails.
  • Broil for 10 minutes or until lobster meat is opaque.
  • Microwave the reserved butter mixture for 10-20 seconds to warm it back up. Brush the butter over the cooked lobster.
  • Sprinkle with additional parsley for garnish and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 447mg | Potassium: 126mg | Vitamin A: 335IU | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DinnerAtTheZoo or tag #dinneratthezoo!

This post was originally published on July 16, 2019 and was updated on February 13, 2020 with new content.

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Filed Under: Dinner

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    Comments

    1. Barbara B says

      November 8, 2021 at 4:56 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious recipe that we all enjoyed.

      Reply
    2. JackieMc says

      July 4, 2021 at 7:44 pm

      5 stars
      These were delicious, the garlic butter was fantastic!!!

      Reply
    3. Ansi says

      December 31, 2020 at 12:39 pm

      My question is: Is it best for the tails to be roughly room temperature when you put them in the oven? I’m preparing mine in advance, but could of course pull them out to come to room temp. Would warm butter on cold tails be a problem?
      Maybe there’s a formula for Xminutes/per ounce of lobster? Thank you. I looked at a lot of recipes & thinks yours looks best.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 31, 2020 at 5:04 pm

        It’s fine to use chilled tails I just wouldn’t use frozen tails! How large are your tails?

        Reply
    4. Susan Campbell says

      December 18, 2020 at 7:24 pm

      I don’t have a broiler it’s broken, can I use the Airfryer

      Reply
      • Sara says

        December 18, 2020 at 7:41 pm

        That should be fine, do 6-7 minutes at 400 degrees F.

        Reply
    5. Leilanie Mariur says

      November 26, 2020 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      I use this recipe all the time absolutely love it !
      Just one maybe odd or obvious question forgive me lol…
      It seems as one time I had the lobster in as directed and it was not all the way cooked now when you say heat the broiler you mean hit the broiler and put it in the broiler part correct?
      Or do you mean heat the broiler and put it in the oven part?
      This question might be so simple but just bear with me teehee.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        November 26, 2020 at 8:45 pm

        My oven has a broiler built in. So I set the oven to broil, then place the pan in the top 1/3 of the oven. Hope that makes sense!

        Reply
    6. Jackie says

      November 21, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! I loved how easy it was to make. Thank you so much I felt so much more confident making this with your recipe.

      Reply
    7. Jojohelzer says

      October 1, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      I had two little lobsters tails! This recipe was so easy to follow and cook! Delicious!
      Thanks for making it so easy!

      Reply
    8. Zoraida Aleman says

      July 18, 2020 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      I will post the results. Awesome

      Reply
    9. Leoking says

      June 17, 2020 at 5:00 pm

      Preheat oven to.. wht exactly.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        June 18, 2020 at 11:10 am

        Preheat the broiler part of the oven which is typically 500 degrees F.

        Reply
    10. Sue huff says

      April 26, 2020 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      Awsome step by step instructions thank you for the amazing instructions

      Reply
    11. Hannah says

      March 25, 2020 at 8:40 am

      This looks delicious! I’ve never cooked lobster before, but I’ve been avoiding the grocery store recently, so I just ordered some online. I can’t wait to try these!

      Reply
    12. Tiffany La Forge-Grau says

      February 19, 2020 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      This is the only way I know how to eat lobster. It pairs so well with the right spices. Looks amazing!

      Reply
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