Description
This Garlic Butter Baked Lobster Tails recipe features succulent lobster tails brushed with a flavorful garlic butter mixture and baked to perfection. It’s a quick and elegant seafood dish perfect for special occasions or a luxurious dinner at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 2 lobster tails (5–6 oz each)
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish & Serving
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking dish with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare lobster tails: Using kitchen scissors, cut down the top shell of each lobster tail lengthwise. Gently pull the shell apart to expose the meat, then lift the meat slightly and rest it on top of the shell while keeping it attached at the base, creating a “butterflied” presentation.
- Make garlic butter sauce: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend all the flavors.
- Brush lobster tails: Generously brush the garlic butter mixture over the exposed lobster meat, ensuring it is well-coated.
- Bake lobster tails: Place the lobster tails in the prepared baking dish and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the lobster meat becomes opaque and slightly firm, reaching an internal temperature of 140–145°F (60–63°C).
- Finish and serve: Remove the lobster tails from the oven and spoon additional garlic butter from the pan over the lobster meat. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Lobster cooks quickly, so avoid overbaking to keep the meat tender and juicy.
- For a golden top, you can broil the lobster tails for the last 1–2 minutes of cooking.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright, citrus flavor.
- This dish pairs beautifully with a light salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
