Description
This fast and easy broiled lobster tail recipe delivers tender, juicy lobster meat with a rich buttery garlic sauce enhanced by lemon juice, smoked paprika, and a hint of cayenne pepper. Perfect for a special dinner or celebratory meal, it ensures perfectly cooked lobster tails every time with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Lobster Tails
- 4 10-oz lobster tails
Butter Sauce
- 1/4 cup salted butter (melted; 1/2 stick)
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Thaw Lobster Tails: If lobster tails are frozen, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or submerge them in a sealed bag in cold water for about 30 minutes to fully thaw.
- Preheat Broiler: Set your oven to Broil at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C) and position the oven rack so lobster tails will be about 4 to 5 inches away from the broiler element.
- Butterfly Lobster Tails: Using kitchen shears, carefully cut down the center of the lobster shell lengthwise, starting opposite the tail fins down the top shell but not through the bottom shell or the tail fin. Gently pry open the shell, pull the lobster meat upward out of the shell while keeping it attached at the tail fin end, then place the meat on top of the slightly pushed-together shell on a baking sheet.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper until combined.
- Brush Lobster Tails: Generously brush the butter mixture over the exposed lobster meat, ensuring full coverage.
- Broil Lobster Tails: Broil the lobster tails until the meat turns opaque and lightly browned, approximately 1 minute per ounce of lobster tail. For 10-ounce tails, broil about 10 minutes; for smaller tails, adjust accordingly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately for a tender, flavorful lobster experience.
Notes
- Use kitchen shears carefully to avoid cutting the bottom shell or tail fin when butterflying lobster tails.
- Adjust broiling time based on tail size to avoid overcooking and drying out the lobster meat.
- For additional flavor, sprinkle extra smoked paprika or a squeeze of fresh lemon before serving.
- Frozen lobster tails should be fully thawed for even cooking and best texture.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a light salad to complement the richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 337 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 91.7 mg
- Fat: 13.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.9 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 50.3 g
- Cholesterol: 30.5 mg
