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Broiled Lobster Tails

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Fine dining doesn’t have to happen at a restaurant- our broiled lobster tails are an exquisite, special occasion treat that only takes 20 minutes to make at home! Juicy lobster meat sitting right on top of the shell is an impressive dinner. And when drizzled with a rich garlic lemon butter sauce? It’s simply perfection.

Trust us- you need this broiled lobster tails recipe in your life! And we are here to walk you through it. 😉

Broiled lobster tail on a serving plate.

How to cook lobster tail

So, what’s the best way to cook lobster tails? Well, there are a few different ways, and let’s just say we’re not too picky when it comes to lobster. 😉 In the past we’ve shared this recipe for Grilled Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter Sauce and our Better Than Outback Grilled Steak and Lobster Dinner.

But if you’re preparing lobster tails in the middle of winter and you’d like to skip firing up the grill, this broiled lobster tails recipe is the way to go!

It’s an easy, indoor method to making tender, juicy and perfectly-cooked lobster tails so you can stay warm and cozy in the kitchen with these scrumptious lobster tails under the broiler. YES PLEASE.

Two raw lobster tails still in their shells.

Our broiled lobster tails recipe

For the perfect broiled lobster tails, you only need about 10 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cook time. Plus, this fine-dining kind of meal is much more affordable than eating out and you can enjoy it from the comfort of your home.

Ingredients for broiled lobster tails

Here is the (short!) ingredient list:

  • Lobster tails. If you purchased them frozen, make sure they are completely thawed before broiling.
  • Butter. Because butter and seafood is a match made in heaven.
  • Fresh garlic. Fresh is best! Grate the garlic before using.
  • Lemon juice. The lightly tart lemon flavor pairs beautifully with butter and seafood.
  • Salt and white or black pepper. Simple seasonings are all you need for delicious, buttery lobster tails.
  • Lemon wedges for garnish. We serve these with lemon wedges in case you want an extra squeeze of goodness on each bite.

How to butterfly a lobster tail

First, you will need to prepare the lobster tails. The easiest way to prep them for broiling is to butterfly the lobster tail. If this sounds intimidating, don’t worry- it’s a two-step process that’s really quite easy once you know how.

Here’s how to butterfly lobster tails:

  1. Cut down the center of the lobster shell. Place the lobster tail on a cutting board. Use sharp kitchen shears to make a cut on the top of the shell, straight down the center of the lobster shell, lengthwise. Cut all the way down to the tail but be careful not to cut the tail.
  2. Carefully pull out the meat. Spread the shell open and use your fingers to separate the meat from the shell. Gently pull the meat up and out of the slit in the shell, but make sure it’s still attached at the tail. The lobster meat should sit right on top of the shell. Place an oven rack on a baking sheet and set each lobster tail on the rack.
Two raw lobster tails ready to be broiled.

How to broil lobster lobster tails

Now that the lobster tails are butterflied, they’re ready for the oven! But first, we make the garlic lemon butter sauce since a small amount goes on top of the lobster meat while it’s broiling.

  1. Make the garlic lemon butter sauce. Preheat the oven to broil. Combine the butter, lemon juice, garlic, salt and and pepper in a small saucepan and heat just until the butter melts. Drizzle a small amount on top of the lobster tail meat.
  2. Broil the lobster tails. Place the baking sheet with the lobster tails into the oven and broil for about 6-10 minutes (we use a general rule of thumb of about 1 minute per ounce). The lobsters will look opaque when they are done cooking.
  3. Serve! Remove the tails from the oven and serve with remaining garlic lemon sauce and lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Broiled lobster tail on a plate with potatoes and asparagus.

Now that you know how to broil lobster tails, the bigger question is what to serve this scrumptious, meaty lobster with?

We love it with simple steamed vegetables, potatoes or rice. And if you’re in search of some multi-course meal inspiration, check out this Asparagus-Pea Soup with Parmesan Cheese or this Fried Goat Cheese Discs and Roasted Beet Salad.

Enjoy, friends! This one is delightful.

Frequently asked questions:

How long does it take to broil lobster tails?

It takes about 1 minutes per ounce under the broiler. If you don’t know how much your lobster weighs then broil them until the meat looks opaque.

I don’t have a broiler setting, what temperature should I set the oven?

Set the oven to 500°F if you you don’t have a broiler setting.

two lobster tails on a plate with lemon wedges.

SOME OTHER RECIPES WE ARE SURE YOU WILL LOVE:

  • Red Wine Poached Pears with Chocolate Ganache: Red wine and chocolate are a winning combination and these wine-soaked pears make the perfect, elegant dessert.
  • Steak and Lobster : Make this steakhouse classic at home without the hefty price tag! This meal is a special occasion all on its own and can actually be budget-friendly when made yourself.
  • Lobster Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce: This decadent dish has a rich and creamy garlic-infused sauce and crisp panko bread crumb for a seriously good lobster dinner.

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Broiled lobster tail on a serving plate.

Broiled Lobster Tails

Lobster tails are easy to broil and they make an impressive dinner with the lobster meat sitting on top of the shell. Serve them with a garlic lemon butter sauce and slices of lemon wedges.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 261kcal
Author: Dahn Boquist

Ingredients

  • 4 lobster tails thawed if frozen
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 tablespoons garlic grated fresh, more to taste
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper or black pepper
  • Lemon wedges for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to the broil setting. 

Prepare the lobsters

  • Use kitchen shears to cut down the center of the lobster shell, lengthwise. Only cut through the shell and not the meat. Cut all the way down to the tail but do not cut the tail. 
  • Spread the shell open and use your fingers to separate the meat from the shell. Pull the meat up and out of the slit in the shell, leaving it attached at the tail. Let the lobster meat rest on top of the shell. 
  • Place an oven rack on a baking tray and set the lobster tails on top of the rack. 

Make the garlic lemon butter sauce:

  • Combine the butter, garlic lemon juice, salt and pepper in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until the butter completely melts. 
  • Drizzle a small amount of butter sauce over the lobster meat. 

Broil the lobster tails:

  • Place the lobsters in the preheated oven and broil for 6 to 10 minutes or about 1 minute per ounce. The lobsters will look opaque when they are finished cooking. 
  • Remove from oven and serve with the remaining garlic lemon sauce and wedges of lemon. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 742mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 713IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Dahn Boquist

Dahn is a retired nurse, recipe creator, home cook, baker, and self-proclaimed foodie. She loves creating in the kitchen and cooking for family and friends. She lives in Washington State with her husband and dog. When she isn't cooking or baking, you can usually find her spending time with her grandchildren or exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

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Recipe Rating




angiesrecipes

Monday 8th of February 2021

I have never had a broiled lobster..usually stirfried or steamed. This is something I need to try SOON. Love that garlic butter sauce. Angie http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com

Dahn Boquist

Monday 8th of February 2021

Oh, I do hope you try it soon Angie ;)

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