Garlic Butter Lobster Tails (Printable View)
Tender lobster tails baked in rich garlic butter with fresh herbs and citrus. An elegant, impressive main dish ready in just 30 minutes.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Lobster
01 - 4 lobster tails (5-6 oz each), thawed if frozen
→ Garlic Butter
02 - 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
07 - ½ teaspoon paprika
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish
10 - Lemon wedges
11 - Extra chopped parsley (optional)
# Cooking Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
02 - Using kitchen scissors, cut down the center of the top shell of each lobster tail, stopping at the base. Gently pull apart the shell and lift the meat over the shell, leaving it attached at the base. Lay the meat on top of the shell.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
04 - Place prepared lobster tails on the baking sheet. Generously brush the lobster meat with the garlic butter mixture, reserving a small amount for serving.
05 - Bake for 12-15 minutes until lobster meat is opaque and slightly firm to the touch. Internal temperature should reach 140°F.
06 - Remove from oven and immediately brush with reserved garlic butter. Garnish with lemon wedges and extra parsley if desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get that white-tablecloth experience in your sweatpants without the intimidating price tag of a nice restaurant
- The garlic butter sauce works on everything from the lobster meat to whatever vegetables you serve alongside
02 -
- Overcooked lobster becomes rubbery and tragic, so pull them out when they are just opaque and let residual heat finish the job
- The butter creates a lot of smoke at high heat, so turn on your exhaust fan before you start or open a window
03 -
- A small pinch of cayenne in the butter adds this incredible subtle warmth that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is
- Letting the butter mixture sit for 10 minutes before brushing allows the garlic flavor to develop and mellow perfectly