Description
This fast and easy broiled lobster tail recipe delivers buttery, tender, and juicy lobster tails in just 20 minutes. Perfect for a special occasion or a luxurious weeknight dinner, it features lobster tails brushed with a flavorful mixture of garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, cayenne, and melted butter, then broiled to perfection.
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 tails are frozen, thaw them overnight in the fridge or place them in a sealed bag submerged in cold water for about 30 minutes until fully thawed.
- Preheat Oven Broiler: Set your oven to broil at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C) and place the oven rack 4 to 5 inches below the broiler element to ensure proper cooking distance.
- Butterfly Lobster Tails: Use kitchen shears to cut down the center of the lobster shell lengthwise from the opposite end of the tail fins, cutting through the top shell only. Gently open the shell and pull the lobster meat upward, leaving the tail fin attached. Position the meat on top of the shell and place the tails on a baking sheet.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper until well combined.
- Brush Lobster Tails: Generously brush the butter mixture over the exposed lobster meat on each tail to evenly coat.
- Broil Lobster Tails: Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook lobster tails for 1 minute per ounce (e.g., 10 minutes for 10-ounce tails) until the meat is opaque and lightly browned on top.
Notes
- For perfectly cooked lobster tails, do not overcook; monitor closely during broiling.
- Butterfly cutting can be done with kitchen shears or a sharp knife, but shears are safer and easier.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
- Serve with lemon wedges or additional melted butter for dipping.
- The recipe works with smaller or larger lobster tails; adjust broiling time accordingly.
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
