If you’ve ever wanted to recreate a restaurant-style seafood experience at home, these Garlic Butter Lobster Tails are your golden ticket. Juicy, tender, and dripping with rich garlicky butter, they’re the perfect balance of luxury and simplicity. Whether it’s a date night, holiday dinner, or just a night when you want to treat yourself—this dish delivers flavor, beauty, and indulgence with ease.
Broiled to golden perfection and seasoned with smoked paprika, lemon juice, and fresh garlic, these lobster tails are unforgettable.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Quick Cooking: Ready in under 20 minutes!
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Restaurant-Worthy: Elegant presentation, bold flavor, and tender texture.
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Simple Ingredients: No fancy tools or hard-to-find ingredients needed.
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Customizable: Perfect on their own, with pasta, or alongside steak for surf and turf.
Ingredients
You only need a few fresh ingredients to create something truly special:
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4 lobster tails (6–8 oz each)
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1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
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Lemon wedges, for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Lobster Tails
If you’ve never prepared lobster tails before, don’t worry—it’s easier than it looks!
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Using kitchen scissors, cut down the center of the shell lengthwise, stopping just before the tail fin.
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Carefully spread the shell open and gently lift the meat, pulling it up and over the shell, keeping it attached at the base.
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Rest the meat on top of the shell—it will fan out beautifully when cooked.
Why this matters: This technique not only looks elegant but also allows the meat to cook evenly and soak up all the buttery goodness.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together:
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1/3 cup melted butter
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3 minced garlic cloves
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1 tablespoon lemon juice
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
This sauce is the heart of the dish—rich, aromatic, and slightly smoky with a bright citrus finish.
Step 3: Season the Lobster
Preheat your oven to broil (high). Line a baking sheet with foil and place the lobster tails on it, meat side up.
Generously brush the garlic butter mixture over the lobster meat, reserving a bit for after cooking if you like it extra buttery.
Step 4: Broil to Perfection
Place the baking sheet on the top oven rack, about 6 inches from the heat.
Broil for 8–10 minutes, depending on the size of your lobster tails. The meat should be opaque and lightly browned on the edges, with an internal temperature of 135°F–140°F (57°C–60°C).
Pro Tip: Keep a close eye—they cook fast and can overcook quickly.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Remove the lobster tails from the oven and drizzle with the remaining garlic butter. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Serving Suggestions
These garlic butter lobster tails shine on their own, but here are some ideas to turn your meal into an unforgettable feast:
Serve With:
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Garlic mashed potatoes or creamy risotto
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Steamed asparagus or roasted broccoli
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Buttered corn on the cob or sautéed green beans
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Crusty bread to mop up every drop of sauce
Pair With:
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A glass of chilled white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio
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Or go all-out with surf and turf—add a juicy filet mignon for a luxe duo
Tips for Perfect Lobster Tails
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✅ Always thaw first: If using frozen tails, thaw overnight in the fridge or place in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking.
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✅ Butterfly the shell: This makes for better presentation and even cooking.
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✅ Watch your broiler: Lobster can go from tender to tough in seconds under high heat.
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✅ Don’t skimp on butter: It’s the key to flavor and richness in this dish.
Make It Your Own
Want to elevate or customize your lobster tails? Try these flavor twists:
Spicy Kick:
Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the butter sauce.
Herb Upgrade:
Mix in fresh chopped thyme, rosemary, or dill with the parsley.
Parmesan Finish:
Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the tails in the last minute of broiling for a cheesy crust.
Grilled Version:
Fire up the grill and cook the lobster meat side down for 5–6 minutes, then flip and baste with garlic butter.
Storage & Reheating
While lobster is best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftovers:
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Refrigerate: In an airtight container for up to 2 days
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Reheat: Gently in a covered skillet with a splash of water or butter, or wrap in foil and warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C)
Avoid the microwave—it can dry out the meat.
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Lobster Tails are proof that simple ingredients can create spectacular dishes. In just 20 minutes, you can bring bold, buttery elegance to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Whether you’re planning a romantic evening, celebrating a milestone, or just indulging in some self-care cooking, this recipe is a showstopper. One bite of that tender, buttery lobster and you’ll see why this dish never goes out of style.