Description
This fast and easy broiled lobster tail recipe delivers tender, juicy lobster with a rich buttery garlic sauce accented by lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Perfect for a special dinner, it requires minimal prep and broils quickly for an impressive seafood main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Lobster Tails
- 4 10-oz lobster tails
Butter Mixture
- 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 the lobster tails are frozen, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or submerge the sealed tails in cold water for about 30 minutes to defrost.
- Preheat Oven Broiler: Set your oven to broil at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C) and position the oven rack so the lobster tails will be 4 to 5 inches from the broiler element.
- Butterfly the Lobster Tails: Using kitchen shears, cut lengthwise down the top of the shell starting opposite the tail fins, stopping just before the tail fin without cutting through the bottom shell. Gently pull and spread the meat upward, leaving it attached at the tail fin, then place the meat atop the shell to expose it for broiling.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper until combined.
- Brush Lobster with Butter Mixture: Generously brush the prepared butter sauce over the exposed lobster meat to coat evenly.
- Broil Lobster Tails: Place the baking sheet with lobster tails under the broiler and cook until the lobster meat is opaque and lightly browned. Broil for approximately 1 minute per ounce of lobster tail, so 10-minute broil for 10-ounce tails.
Notes
- Use kitchen shears carefully to avoid cutting through the bottom shell when butterflying.
- Thaw lobster tails fully for even cooking; quick thawing in cold water works well if short on time.
- Monitor closely during broiling to prevent overcooking and drying out the lobster.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle fresh parsley or squeeze additional lemon juice before serving.
- Butter can be substituted with clarified butter or ghee for a richer flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 337 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 92 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: 31 mg
