Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails
If you’ve ever wanted to indulge in a restaurant-quality seafood dish at home, Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails are the perfect option. With a delicate, tender lobster tail smothered in a rich, garlicky butter sauce and baked to perfection, this dish is a true showstopper.
The flavor is light yet decadent, with the sweet lobster meat complemented by the savory garlic butter. Whether it’s a special occasion or a fancy dinner at home, these baked lobster tails will have everyone asking for more!
Why You’ll Love Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails
Simple Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: You don’t need many ingredients to make this dish. Just lobster tails, butter, garlic, and a few seasonings, and you’ve got a mouthwatering meal.
Impressive Yet Easy: While lobster may seem intimidating, this recipe is super simple. You can make it at home and impress your guests without the fuss.
Perfectly Cooked Lobster: The garlic butter ensures the lobster stays tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Plus, baking the lobster helps maintain its natural sweetness while adding a savory finish.
Perfect for Special Occasions: Whether it’s a holiday, a romantic dinner, or a celebration, these lobster tails are the ideal dish to make your meal feel extra special.
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails:
- Lobster Tails – Fresh or frozen, just make sure they are properly thawed if using frozen tails.
- Butter – Unsalted butter is best for this recipe, as it lets you control the salt level.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic, minced, adds the signature flavor to the butter.
- Lemon – Adds a bright, zesty note that complements the richness of the lobster and garlic butter.
- Parsley – Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
- Paprika – Gives a subtle smoky flavor and a nice color to the lobster.
- Salt and Pepper – To taste, enhancing the flavors of the garlic butter and lobster.
(Note: Full ingredient measurements are in the recipe card below.)
Instructions
Making Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails is easier than you might think. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time:
Step 1: Prepare the Lobster Tails
If your lobster tails are frozen, make sure they are completely thawed before cooking. To prepare the tails, use kitchen scissors to cut through the top shell of the lobster (starting at the base of the tail). Carefully pull apart the shell, but leave the meat attached at the end. Gently lift the lobster meat out of the shell and lay it on top, creating a “butterflied” appearance.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes, just until fragrant—be careful not to burn the garlic. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice, chopped parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Step 3: Season the Lobster Tails
Place the prepared lobster tails on a baking sheet, flesh side up. Pour the garlic butter mixture generously over the lobster meat, making sure it’s well-coated. Reserve a little bit of the butter to spoon over the lobster after baking.
Step 4: Bake the Lobster Tails
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the lobster tails for about 12-15 minutes, depending on their size. The lobster meat should be opaque and firm to the touch. You can also check for doneness by inserting a thermometer into the thickest part of the meat—if it reads 140°F (60°C), it’s ready.
Step 5: Serve
Once baked, remove the lobster tails from the oven. Spoon any remaining garlic butter over the meat, garnish with additional chopped parsley, and serve with lemon wedges for an extra zesty kick.
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: ~280
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 2g
(Note: approximate values, depending on ingredients used)
How to Serve Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails
These garlic butter lobster tails are a standout main dish, but you can pair them with a variety of sides to make your meal even more special:
- Roasted Vegetables – Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or carrots would complement the richness of the lobster perfectly.
- Garlic Bread – Serve with crispy garlic bread to soak up any leftover butter from the lobster.
- Risotto – A creamy lemon risotto would be a luxurious side dish that pairs beautifully with the lobster.
- Salad – A fresh, light salad with a lemon vinaigrette would balance out the richness of the lobster.
Additional Tips
- Don’t overcook the lobster: Lobster can quickly turn tough if overcooked, so keep a close eye on it while baking.
- Use a broiler: For a crispy finish, you can broil the lobster tails for the last 2 minutes of baking to get a golden, slightly crispy top.
- Add spice: If you like a little heat, add some red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture for a kick of spice.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the lobster tails and garlic butter ahead of time. Simply store the butter in the fridge and bake the lobster tails when you’re ready to serve.
FAQ’s
1 Can I use frozen lobster tails?
Yes! Just make sure to fully thaw them before cooking. You can thaw them in the fridge overnight or place them in a bowl of cold water for faster thawing.
2 Can I use store-bought garlic butter?
While homemade garlic butter gives the best flavor, store-bought can be used in a pinch. Just be sure to add extra garlic, lemon, and parsley for that fresh flavor.
3 Can I grill the lobster tails instead of baking?
Absolutely! Preheat your grill to medium heat and grill the lobster tails for about 5-7 minutes, brushing with garlic butter, until the meat is opaque and cooked through.
4 Can I make this dish ahead of time?
It’s best to bake the lobster tails fresh, but you can prepare the garlic butter in advance and store it in the fridge. Then, just bake the lobster tails when you’re ready.
5 How do I know when lobster is done?
The lobster meat should be opaque, firm to the touch, and slightly springy. A thermometer should read 140°F (60°C) at the thickest part of the tail.
6 Can I use this recipe for other shellfish?
Yes! This garlic butter sauce is also fantastic on shrimp, crab legs, or scallops. Adjust cooking times depending on the type of seafood.
7 Can I freeze leftover lobster tails?
If you have leftover lobster, you can freeze it, but the texture may change upon thawing. If freezing cooked lobster, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store in an airtight container.
Conclusion
Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails are a luxurious yet simple dish that will elevate any meal. With rich garlic butter, tender lobster, and a touch of lemony freshness, this recipe is perfect for any special occasion or just a treat-yourself dinner. Serve it with your favorite sides, and you’ll have a memorable meal in no time!
PrintGarlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails
Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails are succulent lobster meat coated in a flavorful garlic butter sauce, then baked to perfection. This easy yet elegant dish is perfect for special occasions or a luxurious dinner at home.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 4 lobster tails
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using kitchen shears, carefully cut down the center of the lobster shells, stopping just before the tail fins. Gently pull the lobster meat up, leaving it attached at the base, and lay the meat on top of the shell.
- In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Brush the lobster meat generously with the garlic butter mixture, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Place the lobster tails on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the lobster meat is opaque and cooked through. The internal temperature of the lobster should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese (optional).
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges for an extra burst of freshness.
Notes
- For a more intense garlic flavor, you can add a little garlic powder to the butter mixture.
- Serve with a side of buttered vegetables, rice, or a simple salad for a complete meal.
- If you prefer, you can broil the lobster tails for 2–3 minutes at the end of baking to get a golden, slightly crisped top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lobster tail
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
