Lobster Tail Recipe

This lobster tail recipe is incredibly flavorful! This quick and easy recipe takes only 20 minutes total. Great for busy weeknights, weekend dinner parties, and everything in between. The meat comes out juicy, tender and buttery. This baked lobster tail recipe is great for so many occasions. Make it for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, holidays and more!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This lobster tail recipe is quick and easy.
• It is the best way to cook lobster tails.
• Only a few ingredients needed.
• The total time is only 20 minutes from start to finish.
• The lobster meat comes out so flavorful.
• This lobster meat is great as is or on top of salads. Try this Halibut recipe too.
• The butter and garlic add a great flavor. The garlic butter is quick and easy.
• This quick lobster recipe is Whole30 friendly, Paleo, Keto, gluten free, nut free, low carb and sugar free.
• It is suitable for many diets and lifestyles.
• This fancy presentation feels like the Food Network!
• Check out this Cod Fish Recipe or this Lobster Mac and Cheese for another seafood favorite.

Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients and substitutions for this delicious lobster tail recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.

Use thawed lobster tails. If you only have frozen, completely thaw first. Do not attempt to broil from frozen. If possible, the more fresh, the better.

Melted butter adds the perfect flavor to lobster. For dairy free, use dairy free butter. In addition, melted ghee can be used.

Minced garlic pairs well with butter. If needed, use garlic powder.

Paprika adds a subtle hint of spice. For a more mild flavor, omit. Only a little seasoning is need for lobster tails.

Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. This is optional but adds flavor, color and freshness.

Buying Lobster

The two types of lobster shells are soft shell lobsters and hard shell lobsters. This depends on whether the shell has been recently shed. Soft shell lobster is slightly more sweet and usually preferred. On the other hand, they can be more difficult to transport. Hard shell meat is more savory, yet tougher.

This lobster tail recipe works with either type of shell.

If possible, buy lobster closest to the ocean. Lobster is much fresher in Maine and Florida than the middle of the country. This is not always possible obviously.

When choosing a lobster, look for a feisty one. Lobster is graded by how firm and lively they are. Softer shells and lifeless lobsters are graded lower. After pulling lobster from water, it should be lively.

Tips for Choosing Lobster

These are tips and tricks for choosing the best lobster and lobster tails.

Pick up the lobster. If the claws droop, then lobster is weak and not the highest quality.

Push on the lobster tail. If it does not curl, the lobster is not good.

If the lobster has two antennae, chances are it is more fresh. When stored for long periods of time, antennae are often missing.

If the claw bands are missing or stained, the lobsters are not as fresh.

Choose a lobster with a fully intact shell. In addition, look for claws that are not cracked.

Ways to Cook Lobster

There are several different ways to cook lobster tails and whole lobsters.

Broiling lobster is easiest. This involves an oven, a pan, and the lobster. This process usually takes under 30 minutes total. Use this method for a lobster tail dinner idea. This is the best way to prepare lobster tails at home.

In addition, lobster can be baked at a lower temperature for a longer time. This is also easy and straightforward.

A common method involves boiling the lobster. While this method is easy, the lobster will not be as flavorful as broiled lobster or baked lobster.

Feel free to grill lobster too! This adds a more hearty flavor.

Taste & Texture

This gourmet lobster tail recipe tastes like lobster meat, butter and garlic. No surprises. The paprika adds just a slight hint of spice. This recipe is not spicy though.

The meat is juicy, tender and buttery. It is fresh and flavorful. This recipe tastes fancy and gourmet.

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2

Prepare the lobster tails. Use sharp kitchen shears to slice down the center of each lobster tail shell.

Step 3

Then, use your hands to loosen up the lobster meat. Pull the lobster meat upward and settle it on top of the lobster tail shell.

Step 4

Place butterflied lobster tails on a baking sheet.

Step 5

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic and paprika.

Step 6

Pour this melted butter mixture all over lobster meat.

Step 7

Cook for 9 to 10 minutes or until meat is opaque and no longer translucent.

Step 8

Finally, carefully remove from oven. Top with fresh parsley and more butter if desired.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Use thawed lobster tails. Do not use completely frozen lobster tails.

Follow photos above for how to butterfly lobster tails. Or, read directions below. This is the best way to prepare lobster tails at home.

Be very careful when handling the lobster meat. Do not rip it away from the shell. Very carefully pull it away from the shell, leaving it semi attached.

Do not skimp on the butter. This helps the meat retain its moisture. In addition, lobster is traditionally served buttery.

Do not over bake this lobster tail recipe! Lobster is done when meat is opaque but not rubbery.

How to Butterfly Lobster

This is how to perfectly butterfly a lobster tail. Thaw beforehand.

First, use sharp kitchen shears to cut down the middle of the tail. Do not cut through the bulk of the meat. Cut only the shell.

Very gently pry open the two sides with your hands. Be careful. Shells are very sharp. If needed, wear kitchen gloves. Do not rip shells away from meat. They should remain somewhat attached.

Use hands to gently pull lobster meat upward. Again, do not separate meat and shell. They should remain attached partly.

Then, settle meat on top of lobster shells. Be sure the majority of the meat is resting on top of the lobster shells.

Then, proceed with recipe below.

How to Serve & Store

Serve this lobster tail recipe with more butter and fresh herbs. Often, lobster is served with fresh lemon juice or lemon wedges.

These tails can be enjoyed alone, with a side salad or veggies. For a fish and chips combination, serve with French fries or even mashed potatoes.

Alternatively, add meat to the top of salads. Or, use lobster meat for lobster tacos or lobster mac and cheese.

Bake into a seafood casserole or Lobster Newburg. Additionally, add to lobster bisque or seafood chowder.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days.

I do not recommend freezing cooked lobster meat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Equipment Needed

Baking Pan: This set of baking pans is great for cooking, baking and roasting.

Kitchen Shears: These sharp kitchen scissors are great for slicing into the lobster tails.

You May Also Like

• Fried Lobster Tails
• Blackened Mahi Mahi
• Baked Tilapia Recipe
• Royal Red Shrimp Recipe
• Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass

If you make this lobster tail recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along!  For more ideas, check out these Dinner Recipes.

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