Garlic Herb Butter Lobster Tails
A restaurant-quality seafood dish made at home: tender lobster meat brushed with rich garlic herb butter, then baked or broiled until juicy, buttery, and slightly caramelized.
⏱ Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 10–12 minutes
- Total: ~25 minutes
🍽 Servings
2 (easily scalable)
🧾 Ingredients
🦞 Lobster
- 2 lobster tails (thawed if frozen)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & black pepper
🧄 Garlic herb butter
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3–4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1–2 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp paprika (optional, for color)
- Pinch chili flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare lobster tails
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) or set broiler on high
- Using kitchen scissors, cut the top shell lengthwise down the center
- Gently loosen the meat and lift it slightly on top of the shell (butterfly style)
- Brush with olive oil and season lightly with salt & pepper
2. Make garlic herb butter
- Melt butter in a small pan over low heat
- Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes (do not brown)
- Stir in parsley, lemon juice, zest, paprika, chili flakes, and salt
- Remove from heat
3. Cook lobster
Oven method:
- Place lobster tails on a baking tray
- Spoon or brush garlic butter generously over meat
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until meat is opaque and tender
Broiler method (faster & more golden):
- Broil for 6–8 minutes, basting once halfway through
4. Finish & serve
- Spoon extra garlic herb butter over hot lobster
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges
💡 Tips
- Don’t overcook—lobster becomes rubbery quickly
- Meat is done when it turns opaque white and slightly firm
- Basting keeps it juicy and flavorful
🔄 Variations
- Creamy garlic butter: Add a splash of cream to the sauce
- Spicy version: Increase chili flakes or add cayenne pepper
- Grilled option: Cook on a grill for smoky flavor
- Herb swap: Try dill, thyme, or basil instead of parsley
🍽 Serving Ideas
- Garlic butter pasta or mashed potatoes
- Steamed vegetables or fresh salad
- Crusty bread to soak up extra sauce
