Home > Main Course > Broiled Lobster Tails Recipe + How to Butterfly (VIDEO)

February 9, 2021

Broiled Lobster Tails Recipe + How to Butterfly (VIDEO)

Name: Broiled Lobster Tails Recipe + How to Butterfly Lobster (VIDEO)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 lobster tails ((about 4 to 6 oz each)); 1 Tbsp fresh parsley (finely chopped, plus more to garnish); 2 garlic cloves (pressed or minced); 1 tsp dijon mustard; 1/4 tsp sea salt; 1/8 tsp black pepper; 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil; 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice; 4 Tbsp unsalted butter (divided)

LOBSTAAA!! Broiled Lobster Tails are easier than you think and take only 10 minutes in the oven. Broiled lobster meat is crazy tender, juicy and every bite is bursting with fresh lemon butter flavor.

Watch the video tutorial and learn how to butterfly lobster tails and prepare some mouthwatering lobster.

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That lemon butter lobster sauce is tantalizingly good. We used it on our most popular Baked Salmon Recipe that won the heart of the internet, and for good reason. Many of you have shared that it’s the only way you make salmon now (which makes my heart go pitter-pat). If you love lobster, I hope this becomes your new favorite way to make Lobster tails.

Broiled Lobster Tails Video:

Butterflying a lobster tail is a simple process and all you need are some good kitchen shears. You’ll be a pro in no time.

This is the best way to cook lobster tail. These look and taste like restaurant quality lobster tails. It is an elegant and romantic dinner idea (think Valentine’s Day!).

drizzling lobster butter over cooked lobster tail

Ingredients for Lobster Tails

Lobster tails – about 4 to 6 oz each (or larger).
Parsley – adds fresh flavor and color
Lemon juice – brightens up the lobster meat and pairs really well with seafood.
Dijon mustard – adds depth of flavor and makes these taste gourmet
Garlic – infuses into the butter so you’ll savor every bite
Olive oil and butter – form a rich dipping sauce for the lobster meat

Ingredients for broiled lobster tails with lobster, butter, lemon, garlic, parsley

How to Buy Lobster Tails:

Before a holiday, lobster tails tend to go on sale along with Crab Legs and Filet Mignon so keep an eye out for that at your local grocery store.

Cold Water vs. Warm Water Lobster – Look for cold water lobster tails that have whiter meat and have more tender meat because they are grown slowly in cold waters.
Avoid Discoloration – the lobster meat should not have black spots or discoloration. Also, avoid lobster tails that are grayish in color.

How to Thaw Lobster Tails:

If lobster tails are frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or quick thaw by placing lobster tail in a plastic bag then in a bowl of cold water for 30-60 minutes, or until lobster is flexible and no longer frozen then drain well and pat dry with paper towels.

Tools you will need

Kitchen Scissors – to cut through the shell.
Casserole dish – any broiler-safe dish or skillet will work.
Garlic press – makes the job easier, or you can finely mince.
Saucepan – to heat pan drippings for sauce
Thermometer – to ensure perfect doneness

Broiled lobster tails garnished with parsley

Broiling Time Chart for Lobster Tails

Make sure to broil lobster tails at least 6 inches away from the top heating element (the top of the lobster meat should be 6″ away) for the most even cooking and to prevent scorching. If using large lobster tails, it is a good idea to lower them even further away, about 8 inches away from the top heating element.

Small lobster tails (3 to 4 oz), broil 6 to 8 min
Medium lobster tail (5 to 6 oz), broil 10-11 min
Large lobsters tail (7 to 9 oz), broil 12-15 min

How to tell when Lobster Tails are Cooked?

Broil lobster meat until the meat is opaque (white) in the center and an instant-read thermometer reads 145˚F in the deepest part of the lobster meat.

HUBBA HUBBA!! Is your mouth watering for Lobster Tail yet?

What to Serve with Lobster

Be sure to serve lobster tails with lemon wedges to squeeze over the cooked lobster meat and serve with that amazing dipping sauce. If you are rounding out your special occasion menu, serve with:

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes – quick and easy
Roasted Asparagus – with lemon and parmesan
Caesar Salad – with homemade dressing
Brussels Sprouts – roasted with bacon
Red Velvet Cake or Chocolate Lava Cakes for dessert

Broiled Lobster Tails Recipe + How to Butterfly Lobster (VIDEO)

5 from 56 votes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Broiled lobster meat is crazy tender, juicy and every bite is bursting with fresh lemon butter flavor. Don’t skip that garlic lemon butter to serve.

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $25-$35 (Varies by season)

Keyword: how to cook lobster tail, Lobster Tails

Cuisine: American

Course: Dinner, How to, Main Course

Calories: 176

Servings: 4 lobster tails

Ingredients

4 lobster tails, (about 4 to 6 oz each)
1 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped, plus more to garnish
2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

How to Butterfly Lobster Tails:

Place lobster tails shell-side up with the tail end away from you. Cut through the top of the shell Snipping through the shell and top portion of the meat as you go. Stop at the base of the tail.
Flip the tail over to the see-through side and crack the ribs using both thumbs down the center. This helps open the shell. Remove and discard the vein if you see one.
Carefully run your thumbs down the sides of the meat to loosen it from the shell (CAREFUL! Those shells can be sharp!). Lift the meat from the shell, keeping it attached at the base then press the shell together underneath and set the lobster meat back over the top, opening up the meat to butterfly the tails. Butterfly remaining tails and transfer to a casserole dish.

How to Make Broiled Lobster Tails:

Preheat oven to Broil on high heat with rack in the center of the oven. Place the rack so the top meaty portion of the lobster tails is about 6″ away from the top heating element.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the marinade ingredients: 1 Tbsp parsley, 2 pressed garlic cloves, 1 tsp dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, pinch black pepper, 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice and 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil. Stir to combine then spoon it all over the lobster tails. Dot the top of lobster tails with 2 Tbsp of butter.
Arrange lobsters in a rimmed oven-safe casserole and place under the preheated oven broiler to broil 10-11 minutes or according to the lobster tail size chart below. The finished lobster should be white and opaque in the center and register at least 145˚F on an instant read thermometer.

How to Make Lobster Dipping Sauce:

As soon as lobster tails come out of the oven, transfer to a serving platter. Pour drippings from the pan into a small saucepan over medium heat. Melt in 2 Tbsp butter and remove from heat just as soon as the mixture starts simmering. Spoon the lobster butter sauce over the tails and serve. You can also serve the sauce in ramekins on the side for dipping.

Recipe Notes

Broiling Times for Lobster Tails:
Smaller (3 to 4 oz) lobster tail 6 to 8 min
Medium (5 to 6 oz) lobster tail 10-11 min
Larger (7 to 9 oz) lobsters tail 12-15 min (with rack in middle of oven)
Broil lobster meat until opaque and white in center, or 145˚F.

Nutrition Facts

Broiled Lobster Tails Recipe + How to Butterfly Lobster (VIDEO)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 176 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 103mg34%

Sodium 429mg19%

Potassium 126mg4%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Protein 10g20%

Vitamin A 345IU7%

Vitamin C 3.9mg5%

Calcium 58mg6%

Iron 0.2mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclosure

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.