🦞 Lobster Tail (Easy Butter-Basted Method)
Lobster tail is tender, sweet, and surprisingly easy to prepare at home. The key is gentle cooking so the meat stays juicy and not rubbery.
🥄 Ingredients (Serves 2–4)
- 2–4 lobster tails (4–6 oz each), thawed if frozen
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Paprika (optional, for color)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
✂️ How to Prep Lobster Tail
1️⃣ Butterfly the tail:
- Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the shell (top side), stopping before the tail fin.
- Gently pull the meat up and rest it on top of the shell, keeping it attached at the base.
2️⃣ Pat dry and season lightly with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of paprika.
🔥 Method 1: Broiled Lobster Tail (Most Popular)
1️⃣ Preheat broiler to high.
2️⃣ Mix melted butter, garlic, and lemon juice.
3️⃣ Brush generously over lobster meat.
4️⃣ Broil 4–6 inches from heat for 8–10 minutes (about 1 minute per ounce), until meat is opaque and internal temp reaches 135–140°F.
5️⃣ Brush with extra butter and sprinkle parsley before serving.
🍳 Method 2: Baked Lobster Tail
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bake 10–12 minutes depending on size.
- Baste once halfway through.
🌟 How to Tell It’s Done
- Meat turns opaque white.
- Shell turns bright red.
- Internal temp: 135–140°F (it continues cooking after removal).
Overcooking makes lobster tough — watch closely!
🧈 Serving Ideas
- Extra lemon wedges
- Garlic butter dipping sauce
- Serve with steak for surf & turf
- Pair with asparagus, mashed potatoes, or rice pilaf
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- 🧄 Garlic herb butter lobster
- 🍝 Lobster tail with Alfredo pasta
- 🔥 Grilled lobster tail
- 🍲 Lobster tail in creamy sauce
Which style would you like?
