Description
This fast and easy lobster tail recipe features tender, juicy lobster cooked under the broiler with a flavorful buttery garlic sauce, enhanced with lemon juice, smoked paprika, and a hint of cayenne for a subtle kick. Perfect for a special occasion or a luxurious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 10-oz lobster tails
- 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 the lobster tails are frozen, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or submerge the sealed bag in cold water on the counter for about 30 minutes until fully thawed.
- Preheat Broiler: Set your oven to broil at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C) and position the oven rack so that the lobster tails will be 4 to 5 inches from the broiler.
- Butterfly the Tails: Using kitchen shears, cut lengthwise down the center of the lobster shell on top from the end opposite the tail fins to just before the tail, taking care not to cut through the bottom shell. Gently pull the meat upward from the shell, keeping it attached at the tail fin. Push the shell closed underneath and lay the lobster meat on top of the shell on a baking sheet.
- Prepare Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper until well combined.
- Brush Butter Sauce: Generously brush the butter mixture over the exposed lobster meat on each tail.
- Broil Lobster: Place the lobster tails on the prepared baking sheet and broil for about 1 minute per ounce of lobster tail (e.g., 10 minutes for 10-ounce tails) until the meat is opaque and lightly browned.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately while hot and buttery.
Notes
- Ensure not to overcook the lobster tails to keep the meat tender and juicy.
- If fresh lobster tails are unavailable, frozen tails work perfectly when properly thawed.
- Feel free to adjust the cayenne pepper amount to increase or decrease the spiciness.
- Using salted butter gives the lobster a balanced savory flavor, but unsalted butter can be used with added salt to taste.
- Serve with lemon wedges for an extra bright citrus touch.
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
