Description
A quick and easy seafood dinner featuring lobster tails broiled with a rich garlic butter sauce that is tender, flavorful, and impressive for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lobster tails (6–8 ounces / 170-225g each), fresh or frozen
- 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted European-style butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt to taste (kosher salt recommended)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the lobster tails (10 minutes): Using kitchen scissors, cut down the top of each lobster shell lengthwise, stopping just before the tail fin. Gently spread the shell apart and loosen the lobster meat from the shell, keeping it attached at the tail end. Lift the meat and lay it over the shell for presentation.
- Make the garlic butter sauce (5 minutes): In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until fragrant without browning the garlic. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley.
- Preheat the broiler and arrange lobster tails (5 minutes): Set oven broiler to high. Place lobster tails on a baking sheet or broiler pan lined with foil. Brush each tail generously with garlic butter sauce, coating the meat and shell edges.
- Broil the lobster tails (8-10 minutes): Place baking sheet about 6 inches from broiler. Broil for 4-5 minutes, brush with more garlic butter, then broil another 4-5 minutes until lobster meat is opaque and firm with a slight golden crust. Watch carefully to avoid overcooking.
- Finish and serve: Remove from oven and brush with remaining garlic butter. Let rest for 1-2 minutes to keep meat juicy. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and extra parsley garnish.
Notes
Use fresh garlic for best flavor; watch lobster closely under the broiler to avoid rubbery meat. Let lobster rest after cooking to lock in moisture. European-style butter enhances richness. Frozen lobster tails should be thawed properly before cooking. Vegan butter can be used for a dairy-free version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lobster tail
- Calories: 280
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 24
Keywords: garlic butter lobster tails, seafood dinner, easy lobster recipe, broiled lobster tails, garlic butter sauce, quick seafood meal