Name: Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 40 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 kg lobster tails (3.3 pounds); 1 lemon (sliced into 4cm rings); Salt and pepper to taste; 2 bulbs garlic; 1 cup extra virgin olive oil (250 mL); 250 g salted butter at room temperature (1/2 pound); 30 g chives, roughly chopped (1 oz); 30 g parsley, roughly chopped (1 oz); Salt and pepper to taste

If you’re craving a show-stopping seafood dish for your next summer gathering, look no further than this Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe. Think tender lobster grilled to perfection, drenched in a rich, aromatic garlic butter that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The image shows a close-up of a white plate with pieces of cooked lobster meat in the front. The lobster meat is white with a slightly pink tint and is mixed with small bits of green herbs and some light browning from cooking. Behind the plate, there is a white plate with lobster shells that are bright red with a slightly rough texture and filled with some lobster meat and herbs. To the side of this plate, there is a grilled lemon half with visible char marks. The background surface is a white marble texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails dish more times than I can count because it’s simultaneously elegant and surprisingly simple. It’s the kind of recipe where a few quality ingredients come together to create pure magic — perfect for impressing friends or just treating yourself.

Deep, mellow flavor: Using garlic confit transforms the garlic into sweet, buttery nuggets that elevate the lobster beautifully.
Perfectly grilled: Cooking the lobster tails over high heat gives you that wonderful char while keeping the meat tender and juicy.
Easy prep: The garlic confit butter can be made ahead, so grilling day is stress-free and fun.
Versatile leftovers: Don’t toss that leftover garlic butter! It’s fantastic on veggies, bread, or other seafood dishes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Whether you’re shopping at your favorite fishmonger or farmer’s market, picking fresh, high-quality ingredients is key here. Look for plump lobster tails with firm, translucent flesh and fresh garlic bulbs for roasting.

Flat lay of three fresh lobster tails with bright red shells and white flesh visible, two whole bulbs of plump garlic with pale papery skins, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden extra virgin olive oil, a simple white ceramic plate holding a slab of creamy salted butter at room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl containing roughly chopped vibrant green chives, another small white ceramic bowl with roughly chopped fresh parsley, and a white ceramic plate displaying thin lemon slices with bright yellow rind and juicy, translucent flesh, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Lobster tails: These are the star of the show — fresh and meaty tails yield the best texture and flavor when grilled.
Lemon slices: Adding charred lemon enhances the lobster’s sweetness with a bright, smoky zing.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings ensure the lobster meat shines without overwhelming its natural taste.
Garlic bulbs: Roasting whole garlic cloves in olive oil slowly mellows their sharpness into rich, buttery confit.
Extra virgin olive oil: Used for confiting garlic, it infuses a subtle fruitiness that balances the richness of butter.
Salted butter: At room temperature for ease of blending, this forms the creamy, indulgent base of the garlic butter.
Chives: Fresh, lightly oniony, they bring brightness and color to the butter mixture.
Parsley: Adds a fresh herbal note that lifts the overall flavor profile.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of the Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe lies in its simplicity and flexibility — feel free to make it your own! Whether you want to swap herbs, adjust the garlic intensity, or try different serving accompaniments, small tweaks can create a completely unique experience without losing that rich, buttery essence.

Herb Variations: I love mixing up the herbs sometimes — swapping parsley and chives for tarragon or basil adds a fresh twist that pairs beautifully with the smoky grilled lobster.
Spicy Kick: For a little heat, add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne to the garlic butter. This variation gives the lobster a subtle, enticing warmth that’s especially great for summer evenings.
Garlic-Free Option: If you’re sensitive to garlic or just want a lighter butter, try infusing the olive oil with fresh thyme and lemon zest instead. The lobster still gets that luxurious buttery finish with bright citrus notes.
Seasonal Touch: In cooler months, serve with roasted root vegetables or a herby quinoa salad to balance the richness and bring seasonal flavors into play.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe

A white plate with blue stripes holds two lobster shells split open and filled with white lobster meat mixed with green herb sauce. The left lobster shell is neatly stuffed with a smooth layer of meat covered evenly in the sauce. The right shell shows chunky pieces of lobster meat coated with the green sauce, spilling slightly out of the shell. Around the lobsters are five lemon halves with dark grill marks. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Slow-Roast Your Garlic for the Perfect Confit

Start by preheating your oven to 130°C. While it’s warming, separate every clove from the garlic bulbs and give them a quick blanch — cover the cloves with boiling water for 5 minutes. This simple step loosens their skins, making peeling a breeze. Next, submerge your peeled cloves fully in extra virgin olive oil in an ovenproof dish. The key here is the full coverage so the garlic roasts gently without burning. Roast for 1.5 to 2 hours until the cloves are soft, lightly caramelized, and you notice tiny bubbles in the oil. The aroma will fill your kitchen with a warm, inviting scent—an excellent cue that the confit is ready!

Step 2: Blend the Ultimate Garlic Confit Butter

Once your garlic is luxuriously soft, separate the cloves from the infused olive oil. Keep that aromatic oil for roasting or salad dressings later—it’s a hidden gem. Now, combine the roasted garlic cloves, room temperature salted butter, and freshly chopped chives and parsley in a food processor. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Pulse until smooth and fully incorporated. If you prefer a rustic touch, mash everything together by hand with finely chopped herbs — the flavor bursts a little differently but is just as delightful. This butter is the star of our dish, so don’t be shy with seasoning!

Step 3: Butterfly and Season Your Lobster Tails

Grab your kitchen scissors and carefully cut along the top shell of each lobster tail—slide the scissors between the shell and the meat and cut lengthwise, making sure not to slice through the tail fin at the wide end. Gently pry the shell open to expose the succulent meat. Season the lobster generously with salt and pepper, then drizzle with some of the reserved garlic confit olive oil for extra depth. This step not only helps the lobster cook evenly but elevates the flavor as all those delicious juices mingle during grilling.

Step 4: Fire Up Your BBQ to a Sizzling 200°C

Preheat your BBQ grill to high heat—aim for around 200°C (390°F) with the lid closed for the best results. While the grill reaches temperature, melt about half of your garlic confit butter gently in a small saucepan or microwave. You won’t need it all right now, so save the rest chilled in the fridge for up to four weeks to enhance future meals. Preparing the butter this way helps infuse the lobster with those unforgettable garlic and herb flavors as it cooks.

Step 5: Grill, Baste, and Char to Perfection

Place the lobster tails flesh side down directly over the grill grates, surrounding them with those lemon slices you sliced earlier. Close the lid and let them cook for 6 minutes on medium-high heat, until the lobster flesh turns a beautiful pink and the edges develop a slight char. Use metal tongs to flip both the lemon slices and lobster tails carefully. Now, generously baste the exposed lobster meat with your melted garlic confit butter. Close the lid again and continue grilling for another 4 minutes, basting every minute to lock in fragrance and moisture. Save a bit of that butter for the final drizzle—it’s the finishing touch that ties this dish together.

Step 6: Rest, Drizzle, and Serve Immediately

When your lobster tails are perfectly cooked, remove them and the lemon slices from the grill and allow them to rest just for a moment—this helps the juices settle beautifully. Drizzle the remaining melted garlic butter over the lobster and squeeze the smoky, charred lemon juice right on top. Serve immediately while warm, allowing every bite to reveal tender lobster meat shining with that rich, garlicky, herb-infused butter. Trust me, your guests will be asking for this Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe again and again!

Top Tip

Making the perfect Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe is easier when you have a few insider tips to guide you—and trust me, these little nuggets of wisdom will take your grilling game up a notch!

Fully Submerge Garlic in Oil: When roasting your garlic confit, make sure all the garlic cloves are completely covered in olive oil to avoid burning and get that mellow, sweet flavor that makes the butter so special.
Butterfly with Care: I learned quickly that cutting through the tail fin ruins the presentation and makes grilling tricky. Use kitchen scissors carefully and only cut the top shell lengthwise above the meat for easier grilling and a beautiful result.
Keep Basting: Basting every minute during the last 4 minutes of grilling is my trick for ultra-moist, buttery lobster meat with layers of garlic-herb goodness.
Metal Tongs Matter: Using metal tongs lets you confidently flip lobster and lemon slices on the grill without losing precious juices or burning your fingers.

How to Serve Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe

Two bright red lobster tails are placed side by side on a black roasting pan. Each lobster tail is split open and filled with a green herb mixture, giving a vibrant contrast. Around the lobsters are six grilled lemon halves, showing dark char marks and a juicy, golden-yellow inside. To the right of the pan, there is a small white bowl with a swirling blue pattern, filled with the same green herb sauce, and a wooden brush resting inside it. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface near a grill, giving a fresh and outdoor cooking vibe. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Charred lemon slices are not just beautiful; they add a bright, smoky citrus burst that perfectly balances the richness of the garlic confit butter. Fresh chopped parsley sprinkled on top adds a pop of color and fresh herbal aroma. If you want an extra touch, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving brings out all the layered flavors beautifully.

Side Dishes

This dish shines with light and fresh sides. I love serving it alongside a crisp summer salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette, or some grilled asparagus and corn on the cob to keep the BBQ spirit alive. Garlic confit butter also pairs wonderfully with buttery mashed potatoes or a simple herbed rice pilaf for a heartier meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftover lobster tails tightly in foil or place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Keep any remaining garlic confit butter stored in the fridge in a sealed container— it stays fresh for up to 4 weeks and can brighten up lots of other dishes.

Freezing

While fresh is best for lobster, you can freeze cooked lobster tails by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen lobster tails maintain quality for up to 1 month. Garlic confit butter freezes beautifully too—just portion it into small containers or ice cube trays for easy use later.

Reheating

To reheat lobster tails, gently warm them in a covered dish at 160 degrees Celsius (325 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid overheating to keep the meat tender. Brush with reserved garlic confit butter before serving to revive that luscious buttery flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen lobster tails for this recipe?

Yes! You can use frozen lobster tails, but thaw them completely in the refrigerator before preparing to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

How long can I keep the garlic confit butter?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, garlic confit butter stays fresh and delicious for up to 4 weeks.

Can I make the garlic confit butter without a food processor?

Absolutely! You can mash the roasted garlic cloves and butter by hand using a fork, then stir in finely chopped herbs for a slightly rustic texture that still tastes incredible.

What if I don’t have a BBQ grill?

If you don't have a BBQ, you can broil the lobster tails in your oven on high heat, watching closely and basting frequently with the garlic butter for a similar delicious result.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe is a wonderful way to elevate your summer barbecue or special occasion with a touch of elegant, savory richness. The combination of tender lobster, aromatic garlic confit, and fresh herbs creates a taste that's simply unforgettable. Give these tips a try, and I promise it’ll become one of your favorite go-to recipes when you want to impress family and friends with flavor and flair. Happy grilling!