Best Baked Lobster Tails Recipe (Super Easy!)
Updated May 12, 2025, Published Dec 03, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This is the best baked lobster tails recipe and it is super easy to make! With tender, juicy meat, rich buttery flavors, and an irresistible garlic herb sauce, it’s restaurant-quality lobster in the comfort of your home—simple, elegant, and absolutely delicious!
Serve with my salami antipasto bites and my crispy Parmesan Brussels sprouts for a beautiful meal!
Quick Look at This Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4 people
- Dietary Info: Gluten Free
- Method: Oven Baked
- Technique: Butterfly the lobster tails using kitchen shears and a knife, then whip up an easy sauce and brush it on top. Bake and enjoy!
- Flavor & Texture: The baked lobster tails are juicy and tender, never tough or rubbery, and are infused with a deep flavor from the garlic and herb butter.
Why You’ll Love this Family Favorite!
These baked lobster tails get rave reviews every time I make them, and people often don’t realize how easy they are! Here’s why you’ll love them:
- Rich, Flavorful Butter: The garlic herb butter infuses the lobster with savory, fresh flavors, enhancing the natural sweetness of the meat.
- Quick Cooking: At 500°F, the lobster tails bake in just 8-10 minutes, so you can enjoy a gourmet meal in no time. High heat is the best way to cook fresh lobster tails in the oven.
- Simple: This recipe elevates lobster tails with minimal effort, making it perfect for a special occasion, dinner party, or a luxurious dinner at home.
Get more ideas for Christmas dinner and check out my other lobster recipes, like lobster rolls, lobster ravioli, lobster bisque, lobster pasta, and steamed lobster tails.
Made With Amore,
“This is a simple, easy and delicious recipe! It really brings out the lobsters sweet and ‘meaty’ flavor. The plump texture and moisture was amazing. Not chewy at all, so timing is everything.”
– Roosje
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Baked Lobster Tails
All you need is a few fresh ingredients to make the best lobster tails in the oven.
- Lobster Tails: The star of the dish! When baked, they become tender and juicy with a mild, sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with rich butter and fresh herbs. Frozen lobster tails work well in this recipe; just make sure to thaw them first and pat them dry with a paper towel before seasoning.
- Butter: Melted and infused with garlic and herbs, the butter adds richness and a luxurious mouthfeel to the lobster meat. Use a high-quality butter for the best flavor. (You can also use the compound butter from my grilled filet mignon for this recipe!)
- Fresh Lemons: Adding some freshly grated lemon zest and lemon slices (and optionally a little juice as well) brightens up the flavors with a zesty citrus note that cuts through the richness of the butter.
- Paprika (Sweet or Smoked): This adds a gentle hint of warmth and a smoky undertone, which pairs well with seafood.
- Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped parsley adds a fresh, herbal note and a pop of color to the finished dish.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Different Cooking Methods: Lobster tails can be broiled under high heat for a quick cook. Brush them with butter and garlic, then broil for about 8-10 minutes, depending on size. To grill them, split the tails, brush with butter, and grill meat-side down first, then flip to finish cooking. If you’d like to steam the lobster tails, check out my recipe for steamed lobster tails with garlic butter.
- Make Ahead Tips: You can prepare the garlic herb butter and cut the lobster tails in advance. Store both in the fridge separately and assemble right before baking. Avoid baking the lobster ahead of time, as it’s best served freshly cooked for optimal texture and flavor.
- Dairy Free Version: Use melted vegan butter instead of dairy butter.
How to Bake Lobster Tails
Cooking lobster tails is easier than it may seem. Follow these photos to help you and see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for more instructions.
How to Butterfly a Lobster Tail
- Butterfly the lobster tails. Using a pair of kitchen shears or kitchen scissors, carefully cut through the top of the lobster shell, stopping just before the tail fin.
- Gently pull the lobster meat out of the shell, leaving the end attached.
- Place the meat on the shell and fan the tail slightly for an elegant presentation.
- Make a shallow cut in the middle top of the lobster tails.
Making the Sauce & Baking
- Add the sauce ingredients to a bowl. Mix until combined.
- Brush the tops of the lobster tails with the butter sauce. Place the lobster tails on a baking sheet and place in the middle rack of your oven.
- Bake at 500°F (260°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the lobster tails have an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). Make sure not to overbake, or the texture will get rubbery. Baking at a high temperature ensures the lobster cooks quickly and stays succulent.
- Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and lemon wedges on the side. Round out the meal with lemony roasted asparagus or roasted portobello caps. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Look for fresh, high-quality lobster tails from a trusted source when buying lobster. You can typically choose between warm-water or cold-water lobster tails. Cold-water lobster tails are often preferred for their sweeter, more tender meat. Ensure the tails are free from any discoloration or strong odors, which could indicate that the lobster is not fresh. Make sure the meat doesn’t feel or look mushy. Avoid tails soaked in sodium tripolyphosphate to ensure that it doesn’t taste like ammonia.
Depending on the size of the lobster tails, broil them in the oven for 8-10 minutes, placing them about 4-6 inches from the heat. The lobster meat should turn opaque, and the shell should be bright red. For a crisp, golden finish, broil for 1-2 minutes, but watch closely to prevent burning.
Baking lobster tails at high heat, like 500°F, ensures they cook quickly and evenly without drying out. The high-temperature seals in the juices, keeping the meat tender and succulent. It also helps the garlic herb butter melt and infuse the lobster with rich flavors while achieving a slightly crisp, golden finish on top. This method gives you a perfectly cooked lobster in just a few minutes!
Other broiled recipes you will love are our broiled New York steak and salmon piccata!
For this recipe, bake the lobster tails with the shells down and the meat exposed on top. This method allows the meat to cook evenly and helps it absorb the garlic herb butter, resulting in a juicy, flavorful finish.
The key to perfectly cooked lobster is in the color and texture. Cooked lobster meat will turn opaque white with a slightly firm texture. The shell should turn bright red. An internal temperature of (use an instant-read thermometer or meat thermometer) 140°F (60°C) is ideal. Avoid overcooking, as lobster can become tough and rubbery if left in the oven too long.
Serving Suggestions
Baked lobster tails are a beautiful gourmet main course that pair perfectly with a wide variety of side dishes. Some of my favorite things to serve with this include steakhouse creamed spinach, fall harvest salad with apple, and creamy cheesy cauliflower casserole. Round out your meal with a slice of authentic Italian tiramisu or this elegant Italian almond cake for dessert.
My Pro Tips
Expert Tips
- When cutting the lobster shell, use sharp scissors to ensure a clean cut, making it easier to pull the meat out without damaging it.
- Let the lobster tails sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps them cook more evenly.
- Pat the lobster tails dry with a paper towel before applying the garlic herb butter. This helps the butter adhere better and prevents excess moisture during baking.
- Generously baste with butter to add flavor and keep the meat moist while baking.
- Watch the lobster tails closely, as they cook quickly, especially at 500°F. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking and resulting in tough, rubbery meat.
Other Lobster Recipes You’ll Love
💙 MADE THIS RECIPE AND LOVED IT? 💙 Please leave a ⭐️STAR rating and COMMENT below- I love connecting with you! Tag me with your creations on Instagram and find me on Pinterest.
Baked Lobster Tails
Ingredients
- 4 lobster tails
- ½ cup good-quality butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- zest of 1 lemon, slice the same lemon into wedges for later use
- ½ teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
- extra melted butter, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Butterfly the lobster tails. Using a pair of kitchen shears or kitchen scissors, carefully cut through the top of the lobster shell, stopping just before the tail fin. Gently pull the lobster meat out of the shell, leaving the end attached. Place the meat on top of the shell, fanning it slightly for an elegant presentation.
- Make the garlic herb butter. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, paprika, parsley, salt, and pepper until blended.
- Assemble. Brush the garlic herb butter generously over the lobster meat, then place the lobster tails on the prepared baking sheet. Add the lemon slices around the lobster tails for extra flavor as they bake.
- Bake. Place the lobster tails on the middle rack of your oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on the size of the lobster tails. The lobster meat should be opaque and white, with an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
- Serve. Remove the lobster tails from the oven and serve with extra melted butter and the baked lemon slices on the side for added citrusy flavor. Enjoy your buttery, succulent lobster tails with garlic herb goodness! They're perfect for a special occasion or an indulgent dinner.
Notes
- When cutting the lobster shell, use sharp scissors to ensure a clean cut, making it easier to pull the meat out without damaging it.
- Let the lobster tails sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps them cook more evenly.
- Pat the lobster tails dry with a paper towel before applying the garlic herb butter. This helps the butter adhere better and prevents excess moisture during baking.
- Watch the lobster tails closely, as they cook quickly, especially at 500°F. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking and resulting in tough, rubbery meat.
- Broil for extra color: If you want a slightly browned, crispy top, broil the lobster tails for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Just be careful not to burn the garlic butter.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Delicious and easy recipe! Thank you – was super tasty and will use it often!
I’m always happy to hear this! It is our favorite way to make in the oven! I also have a steamed lobster for a different variation if you ever want to switch it up! Enjoy.
I will try this recipe this weekend. Just from the presentation and the savory of this recipe makes me have no doubts. Thank you.
I hope you love it!
This is a simple, easy and delicious recipe! It really brings out the lobsters sweet and “meaty” flavor. The plump texture and moisture was amazing. Not chewy at all, so timing is everything.
Yes! This method really gets in just right!
Perfectly seasoned and tender this is the best baked lobster recipe!