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This is the Best Baked Lobster Tails Recipe and it is super easy to make! Tender, juicy meat, rich buttery flavors with an irresistible garlic herb sauce. It’s restaurant-quality lobster in the comfort of your home—simple, elegant, and absolutely delicious!
You’ll also love our lobster rolls, lobster ravioli, lobster bisque, and steamed lobster tails.
Why you’ll love this recipe…
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 degrees 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.
More ideas for Christmas dinner.
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
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.
- 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.
- Fresh Garlic Adds a savory depth to the dish, complementing the sweetness of the lobster (alternatively, you can use garlic powder).
- Lemon zest: Brightens up the flavors with a zesty citrus note that cuts through the richness of the butter. (optional: add a little lemon juice)
- Lemon slices: Baked alongside the lobster, the lemon slices infuse the dish with a subtle tang and make a beautiful garnish.
- 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.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning, bringing out the natural flavors of the lobster and balancing the richness of the butter.
- Extra melted butter: An optional indulgence for serving, allowing you to drizzle more butter over the lobster for added richness.
See the recipe card for quantities.
FAQ’s
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 is doesn’t taste like ammonia).
Yes! Frozen lobster tails work well for this recipe. Just make sure to thaw them properly before cooking. The best method is to place them in the refrigerator overnight or for a quicker option, run them under cold water until fully thawed. Be sure to pat them dry with a paper towel before seasoning.
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.
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.
Broiling: 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.
Grilling: Grilling adds a smoky, charred flavor. Split the tails, brush with butter, and grill meat-side down first, then flip to finish cooking.
Steaming: For a delicate and moist lobster, steam the tails for about 8-10 minutes, then finish with melted butter for serving.
How to Cook 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
The first step is to 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.
Sauce
Add the sauce ingredients to a bowl.
Mix until combined.
How Long to Bake Lobster Tails
Brush the tops of the lobster tails with the butter sauce—place lobster tails on a baking sheet and place in the middle rack of your oven.
The lobster cooks quickly. Make sure not to overbake or the texture will get rubbery.
The garlic herb butter melts into the lobster as it bakes, infusing every bite with savory, zesty goodness. Baking at a high temperature ensures the lobster cooks quickly and stays succulent, while the smoky paprika and fresh lemon zest brighten the flavors for a perfect balance. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy!
How Long to Broil Lobster
Depending on the size of the lobster tails, broil 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.
Cooking 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!
Storage and Making Ahead
Storing: Cooked lobster tails can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven or under a broiler to avoid overcooking.
Make Ahead: 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.
My Pro Tip
Tips for the Best Cooked Lobster Tails
- Use sharp kitchen scissors: When cutting the lobster shell, use sharp scissors to ensure a clean cut, making it easier to pull the meat out without damaging it.
- Room temperature lobster: Let the lobster tails sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps them cook more evenly.
- Pat the lobster dry: Before applying the garlic herb butter, pat the lobster tails dry with a paper towel. This helps the butter adhere better and prevents excess moisture during baking.
- Generously baste with butter: Don’t skimp on the garlic herb butter! It adds flavor and keeps the meat moist while baking.
- Monitor closely: Lobster tails cook quickly, especially at 500°F. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking and resulting in tough, rubbery meat.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this delicious dish with these side dishes:
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Best Baked Lobster Tails
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Best Baked Lobster! The garlic herb butter melts into the lobster as it bakes, infusing every bite with savory, zesty goodness. Baking at a high temperature ensures the lobster cooks quickly and stays succulent, while the smoky paprika and fresh lemon zest brighten the flavors for a perfect balance. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 4 lobster tails
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of one lemon (slice the same lemon into wedges for later use)
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Extra melted butter, for serving (optional)
Equipment:
- Kitchen Shears
- Instant-read Thermometer (meat thermometer)
- Baking sheet
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Prepare 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.
- Brush this mixture generously over the lobster meat.
- Bake the lobster:
- Place the lobster tails on the prepared baking sheet. Add the lemon slices around the lobster tails for extra flavor as they bake.
- Use the middle rack of your oven. 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). If you aren’t sure, use 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! Perfect for a special occasion or an indulgent dinner.
Notes
Top Tips
- Use sharp kitchen scissors: When cutting the lobster shell, use sharp scissors to ensure a clean cut, making it easier to pull the meat out without damaging it.
- Room temperature lobster: Let the lobster tails sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps them cook more evenly.
- Pat the lobster dry: Before applying the garlic herb butter, pat the lobster tails dry with a paper towel. This helps the butter adhere better and prevents excess moisture during baking.
- Generously baste with butter: Don’t skimp on the garlic herb butter! It adds flavor and keeps the meat moist while baking.
- Monitor closely: Lobster tails 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.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: American
- Cuisine: American
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!