My kitchen often transforms into a happy chaos, especially with three little ones darting around. Amidst the daily hustle, I believe in creating magical moments, and sometimes, those moments arrive on a plate. I remember one special anniversary when my husband and I wanted something truly spectacular without hours of effort.
That’s when I first perfected *this* garlic butter lobster tail recipe. The aroma alone, a blend of rich butter and pungent garlic, promised an extraordinary meal. Making this garlic butter lobster tail recipe instantly elevated our evening.
It felt like a gourmet restaurant experience, but right at our dining table. Every bite of that succulent lobster, infused with savory garlic butter, confirmed my belief: food is love. This simple, yet incredibly decadent garlic butter lobster tail recipe quickly became a treasured go-to for celebrations and even just to make an ordinary Tuesday feel special. You absolutely deserve this quick indulgence!
Table of Contents
garlic butter lobster tail recipe
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
My kitchen often transforms into a happy chaos, especially with three little ones darting around. Amidst the daily hustle, I believe in creating magical moments, and sometimes, those moments arrive on a plate. I remember one special anniversary when my husband and I wanted something truly spectacular without hours of effort. That’s when I first perfected this garlic butter lobster tail recipe. The aroma alone, a blend of rich butter and pungent garlic, promised an extraordinary meal. Making this garlic butter lobster tail recipe instantly elevated our evening.
Ingredients
4 (4-6 oz each) Lobster tails
1/2 cup Unsalted butter
4–5 cloves Fresh garlic
2 tbsp Fresh parsley
1 tbsp Lemon juice
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Thaw frozen lobster tails completely in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
- Butterfly the lobster tails: Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the top of the shell, from the wide end almost to the tail fin. Do not cut through the bottom shell
- Gently pry open the shell, lifting the meat upwards. Rest the meat on top of the shell
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, but do not brow
- Stir in fresh parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into the garlic butter mixture
- Place the butterflied lobster tails on a baking sheet. Brush half of the garlic butter mixture generously over the lobster meat
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and firm. Cooking time varies with tail size. Do not overcook your garlic butter lobster tail recipe
- Remove from oven. Drizzle the remaining garlic butter over the cooked lobster tails. Serve immediately. This incredible garlic butter lobster tail recipe is best fresh!
Notes
Always choose fresh-looking tails; avoid any with discoloration.
Do not overcook the lobster; it will become rubbery. A meat thermometer should read 140-145°F (60-63°C) for perfect doneness.
Splitting the shell but leaving the meat attached helps prevent shrinkage.
Use good quality butter; it truly makes a difference.
Feel free to customize: use a dairy-free butter alternative, brown the butter slightly for a nutty flavor, use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if fresh is unavailable, experiment with fresh chives or dill, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for kick, or a splash of white wine to the garlic butter.
Leftover garlic butter lobster tail is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To reheat, gently warm in the oven at 250°F (120°C) for about 5-7 minutes, covered with foil, until just warmed through. Avoid microwaving.
To butterfly: Use kitchen shears to cut down the top of the shell. Gently pull the meat up through the opening, resting it on top of the shell.
For grilling: After butterflying and brushing with garlic butter, place meat-side down on a hot grill for 3-5 minutes, then flip and cook shell-side down for another 5-7 minutes.
The meat will turn opaque white and firm to the touch when cooked. A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part should read 140-145°F (60-63°C).
The garlic butter mixture can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Gently rewarm it before use.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lobster tail
- Calories: 275 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 17.5g
- Saturated Fat: 10.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 27.5g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: garlic butter lobster tail, lobster, seafood, gourmet, quick, easy, celebration, dinner
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
You will absolutely adore this garlic butter lobster tail recipe for so many reasons! First, it is incredibly fast. You can whip up this amazing garlic butter lobster tail recipe in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
Furthermore, the flavor is out of this world. Each bite of this garlic butter lobster tail recipe melts in your mouth, full of rich garlic and sweet lobster. It also looks incredibly impressive.
This easy garlic butter lobster tail recipe makes you feel like a culinary superstar. Finally, it uses simple ingredients you likely have. This fantastic garlic butter lobster tail recipe delivers gourmet taste with minimal fuss.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Lobster tails | 4 (4-6 oz each) |
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup (1 stick) |
| Fresh garlic | 4-5 cloves, minced |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tbsp, chopped |
| Lemon juice | 1 tbsp, fresh squeezed |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp, or to taste |
| Black pepper | 1/4 tsp, or to taste |
SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS
Feel free to customize your garlic butter lobster tail recipe! For the butter, consider using a dairy-free alternative if needed. You can also brown the butter slightly for a nutty flavor in your garlic butter lobster tail recipe.
If fresh garlic is unavailable, use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Experiment with different herbs; fresh chives or dill complement this garlic butter lobster tail recipe beautifully. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a nice kick to your garlic butter lobster tail recipe. For an extra touch of decadence, add a splash of white wine to the garlic butter.
Expanding your culinary creativity beyond simple additions like red pepper flakes or dill can lead to discovering new favorite meals. For another dish where a rich, creamy garlic sauce takes center stage, be sure to check out these Grilled Chicken & Broccoli Bowls with Creamy Garlic Sauce.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Making this garlic butter lobster tail recipe is simpler than you think. Follow these easy steps to create the perfect garlic butter lobster tail recipe.
Note: This video is for demonstration purposes and may use a slightly different method.
- Thaw frozen lobster tails completely in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Butterfly the lobster tails: Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the top of the shell, from the wide end almost to the tail fin. Do not cut through the bottom shell.
- Gently pry open the shell, lifting the meat upwards. Rest the meat on top of the shell.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, but do not brown.
- Stir in fresh parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into the garlic butter mixture.
- Place the butterflied lobster tails on a baking sheet. Brush half of the garlic butter mixture generously over the lobster meat.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and firm. Cooking time varies with tail size. Do not overcook your garlic butter lobster tail recipe.
- Remove from oven. Drizzle the remaining garlic butter over the cooked lobster tails. Serve immediately. This incredible garlic butter lobster tail recipe is best fresh!
PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Mastering the perfect cook on your lobster tail is crucial for an exquisite meal, and these expert tips ensure succulent results. To complement your main course or explore more delectable garlic-infused vegetable dishes, consider adding Garlic Parmesan Melting Cabbage to your menu.
STORAGE & REHEATING TIPS
Leftover garlic butter lobster tail recipe is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheating can be tricky to maintain tenderness. For best results, gently warm your garlic butter lobster tail recipe in the oven at 250°F (120°C) for about 5-7 minutes, covered with foil, until just warmed through. Avoid microwaving, as it often toughens the lobster.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS RECIPE
Choosing the right accompaniments, from simple steamed vegetables to a luxurious surf and turf, truly completes the dining experience for your lobster. If you’re looking for another fantastic garlic-infused seafood option that pairs wonderfully with many meals or stands alone, try our recipe for Baked Garlic Parmesan Shrimp.
FAQS
How do I butterfly a lobster tail?
Use kitchen shears to cut down the top of the shell. Gently pull the meat up through the opening, resting it on top of the shell. This creates a beautiful presentation for your garlic butter lobster tail recipe.
Can I grill this garlic butter lobster tail recipe?
Absolutely! After butterflying and brushing with garlic butter, place the tails meat-side down on a hot grill for 3-5 minutes, then flip and cook shell-side down for another 5-7 minutes. This method gives a wonderful smoky flavor to your garlic butter lobster tail recipe.
How do I know when my garlic butter lobster tail recipe is cooked?
The meat will turn opaque white and firm to the touch. A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part should read 140-145°F (60-63°C). Overcooking will result in tough lobster.
Can I prepare the garlic butter ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the garlic butter mixture a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Gently rewarm it before brushing it over your garlic butter lobster tail recipe.
Preparing seafood like lobster tails with garlic butter has long been a cherished culinary tradition, turning a simple ingredient into a luxurious dining experience. The rich, sweet flavor of lobster is beautifully enhanced by the aromatic notes of garlic and the richness of butter, making it a popular choice for celebratory meals worldwide.
NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER SERVING)
(Estimates based on one 4-6 oz lobster tail with garlic butter)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250-300 |
| Protein | 25-30g |
| Fat | 15-20g |
| Saturated Fat | 9-12g |
| Carbohydrates | 2-4g |
| Sodium | 300-400mg |