First of all—thank you for being here! Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply treating yourself (and you should!), this recipe for Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter is my go-to for a meal that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple to make. It’s the kind of dish that turns an ordinary evening into something unforgettable. I’m so excited to walk you through it!
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What Are Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter?
This dish features tender, succulent lobster tails, baked to perfection and drenched in a buttery garlic-herb sauce that enhances every bite. Baking lobster tails keeps them moist and juicy, while the broiler at the end gives them that slightly golden, restaurant-worthy finish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Elegant yet easy – It looks fancy, but it comes together in less than 30 minutes!
Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor – Just a handful of pantry staples and fresh lobster.
Perfect for special occasions – Think Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or holiday dinners.
Customizable – Add a spicy kick or a splash of lemon for a twist that’s all yours.
What Do Baked Lobster Tails Taste Like?
Lobster meat is slightly sweet, rich, and buttery by nature. When paired with warm garlic butter, it becomes silky and savory with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you’ve never had lobster before, this is the recipe to start with. The flavor is pure coastal indulgence.
Health Benefits of Lobster
Lobster is not only delicious—it’s packed with lean protein, zinc, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. It’s naturally low in fat and carbs, so it’s a great option for keto, paleo, and gluten-free diets.
Ingredients
You’ll need:
2 lobster tails (about 4–6 oz each)
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Lemon wedges, for serving
Tools You’ll Need
Kitchen shears (to butterfly the lobster tails)
Baking dish or sheet
Basting brush
Oven with broiler setting
Meat thermometer (optional, but helpful!)
Ingredient Substitutions & Add-Ins
I promised versatility—and here it is!
Butter alternatives: Use ghee or vegan butter if you’re dairy-free.
Add heat: Sprinkle in some cayenne or red pepper flakes for a spicy version.
No smoked paprika? Regular paprika or even Old Bay seasoning works great!
Add cheese: For a cheesy twist, sprinkle a touch of parmesan over the lobster before baking.
How to Make Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven
Set your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking dish with foil for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Prepare the lobster tails
Using kitchen shears, cut through the top shell of each tail lengthwise down to the tail fin. Be careful not to cut through the meat. Gently pull apart the shell and lift the lobster meat up and over the shell, letting it rest on top. This is called “butterflying” and it makes for a gorgeous presentation!
Step 3: Make the garlic butter
In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Brush and bake
Brush the garlic butter generously over the exposed lobster meat. Place the tails in the prepared baking dish and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and firm. For extra color, broil them for the last 1–2 minutes.
Step 5: Garnish and serve
Drizzle any remaining garlic butter over the lobster, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
What to Serve with Baked Lobster Tails
Pair your lobster tails with:
Garlic mashed potatoes or buttery rice pilaf
Steamed asparagus or sautéed green beans
Caesar salad with crunchy croutons
Crusty bread to soak up all that delicious garlic butter!
Tips for Perfect Lobster Every Time
Don’t overcook! Lobster becomes rubbery if overbaked. Look for opaque white meat and use a thermometer to ensure it hits 140°F (60°C).
Use fresh lobster tails if possible – But frozen works beautifully, too. Just thaw them fully in the fridge overnight.
Butterfly the tails properly – This ensures even cooking and that stunning presentation.
Broil at the end – A quick broil adds a beautiful golden finish and intensifies flavor.
Storage & Reheating
To store: Place leftover lobster in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
To reheat: Gently warm in a covered skillet over low heat with a little extra butter, or wrap in foil and bake at 300°F for 8–10 minutes. Avoid the microwave—it’ll dry the meat out.
Did You Know?
Lobster wasn’t always a delicacy! In colonial America, it was considered “poor man’s food” and even served in prisons. Fast forward to today—and it’s one of the most luxurious proteins on the menu. Funny how things change!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen lobster tails?
Yes, just thaw them overnight in the fridge before preparing. Never cook them frozen—this leads to uneven cooking.
How do I know when the lobster is done?
The meat should be opaque and white throughout, and the internal temp should reach 140°F. The shell will also turn bright red.
Can I grill lobster tails instead?
Absolutely! Follow the same prep, then grill meat-side down for about 5–6 minutes per side. Baste with garlic butter as you go.
Final Thoughts
These Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter are everything you want in a special meal: impressive, indulgent, and unbelievably easy. Whether it’s a date night, a holiday, or simply a Wednesday you want to remember, this dish delivers every time. I’m kicking myself for not having made it sooner in my own kitchen!
Craving more elegant seafood recipes? Try:
Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi
Creamy Lemon Parmesan Salmon
Seared Scallops with Herb Butter
Join the Fun!
If you try this recipe, leave a review and share a photo on Pinterest—nothing makes my day more than seeing your kitchen creations!
Nutritional Information (Per 1 lobster tail)
Calories: 220
Protein: 25g
Fat: 14g
Carbohydrates: 1g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0g
Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
Elegant yet simple, these Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter are rich, savory, and perfect for a special dinner made right at home.
Ingredients
- 2 lobster tails (about 4–6 oz each)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking dish with foil.
- Using kitchen shears, cut through the top of the shell lengthwise. Gently lift the lobster meat over the shell (butterfly style).
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Brush garlic butter generously over the lobster meat. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until meat is opaque. Broil the last 1–2 minutes for color.
- Drizzle with remaining garlic butter, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
Don’t overcook the lobster—look for opaque white meat and aim for an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C). Use fresh lobster tails if possible, or thaw frozen tails overnight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lobster tail
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: lobster, garlic butter, baked lobster tails, elegant dinner, seafood recipe