Description
Succulent broiled lobster tails with garlic-herb butter create an elegant, restaurant-quality meal in just 15 minutes. Perfect for special occasions, date nights, or whenever you want to treat yourself to luxury at home.
Ingredients
4 lobster tails (5–6 ounces each), thawed if frozen
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon lemon zest
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Lemon wedges for serving
Additional melted butter for dipping
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Position oven rack 6-8 inches from broiler element and preheat broiler to HIGH for 5 minutes. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
2. Using kitchen shears, cut through the top shell of each lobster tail lengthwise from the meaty end to the tail fins. Spread shell apart and lift meat up to rest on top of the shell. Pat completely dry.
3. Make shallow diagonal cuts across the lobster meat about ¼ inch deep to prevent curling. Arrange butterflied tails on prepared baking sheet.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley, thyme, lemon zest, and cayenne if using.
5. Season lobster meat lightly with salt, pepper, and paprika. Brush generously with half of the garlic-herb butter mixture.
6. Place baking sheet under preheated broiler. Broil for 5-7 minutes until meat begins to turn opaque and edges start to caramelize.
7. Remove from oven and brush with remaining garlic-herb butter. Return to broiler for 1-2 minutes until meat is completely opaque and butter is bubbling.
8. Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 140-145°F.
9. Serve immediately with lemon wedges, additional melted butter for dipping, and fresh parsley garnish.
Notes
Watch carefully during broiling as broilers vary in intensity. Even 30 seconds can make the difference between perfect and overdone.
For smaller 3-4 ounce tails, reduce broiling time to 4-5 minutes total. For larger 8-10 ounce tails, add 2-3 minutes to cooking time.
Cold-water lobster tails (Maine/Canadian) are sweeter and more tender than warm-water varieties.
Lobster is best served immediately. Leftovers can be refrigerated for 2-3 days but reheating often makes the meat rubbery.
For perfectly straight tails, insert a skewer lengthwise through the meat before broiling, removing before serving.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 8
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lobster tail
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 20
- Cholesterol: 145
Keywords: broiled lobster, lobster tails, garlic butter lobster, easy lobster recipe, special occasion dinner