Name: Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 40 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: Seafood
Ingredients: 1.5 kg lobster tails (3.3 pounds); salt + pepper; 1 lemon (sliced into 4cm rings); reserved garlic confit olive oil; melted garlic confit butter for basting; 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 + pepper (generous amount)

If you’re craving a dish that screams summer BBQ vibes but with a touch of elegance, this Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe is about to become your new favorite. Tender, smoky lobster meets rich, silky garlic butter—a match made in heaven.

The image shows a close-up of a white plate in the front with a small pile of chopped lobster meat. The lobster pieces are white with hints of light red and green herbs sprinkled on top, giving a fresh and slightly charred look. In the background, there is a larger white plate with a whole lobster tail split open, showing its red shell and white meat inside with green herb sauce on top. Next to the lobster tail is a charred lemon half, with some dark grill marks. The whole setup is placed on a white marbled surface with a plain light-colored wall behind it. The photo is 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—and every single time, it’s a total crowd-pleaser that feels luxurious yet approachable enough to enjoy in your backyard.

Luxe Flavor Boost: The garlic confit butter adds depth and sweetness without overpowering the lobster’s delicate sweetness.
Simple, Fresh Ingredients: With just a handful of quality ingredients, you get a sophisticated dish that’s easy to pull off.
Perfect for Grilling: The BBQ imparts that irresistible smoky char, enhancing the lobster’s natural flavor.
Make Ahead Garlic Butter: Prepare the garlic butter in advance to save time and keep the party flowing.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When shopping for this Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails recipe, fresh and high-quality ingredients really shine through. Choose lively, fresh lobster tails and fragrant herbs for the best results.

Flat lay of fresh whole lobster tails with bright red shells and white meat visible, two whole garlic bulbs with some separated peeled cloves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden extra virgin olive oil, a simple white ceramic dish holding a soft block of salted butter at room temperature, a small white bowl with roughly chopped fresh green chives, a small white bowl with roughly chopped fresh parsley, a white ceramic plate displaying thin lemon slices arranged neatly, whole uncracked brown eggs are not present, salt and pepper small piles arranged naturally, 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: Make sure they’re fresh or properly thawed if frozen—this is the star of the dish!
Garlic Bulbs: I love using whole bulbs to make that silky confit garlic, which mellows the harshness and brings addictive sweetness.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Essential for gently roasting the garlic and infusing the oil with flavor.
Salted Butter: Using salted butter adds richness and balances the savory notes perfectly in the confit butter.
Chives and Parsley: Fresh herbs brighten up the butter and add a lovely color contrast.
Lemon: Sliced thick for grilling alongside the lobster, the charred lemon juice adds a bright, smoky acidity that cuts through the richness.
Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that bring all the flavors to life.

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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

One of the best things about the Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe is how versatile it is. Whether you're aiming to add a fresh twist, cater to different dietary needs, or simply experiment with flavors, you can easily customize this dish to suit your taste buds.

Herb Variations: I love swapping parsley and chives for basil and tarragon when summer herbs are in season. It gives the confit butter a bright, refreshing dimension that pairs beautifully with the smoky lobster.
Spicy Kick: For those who like some heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes into the garlic confit butter. It adds a subtle warmth without overpowering the delicate lobster meat.
Dairy-Free Option: If you prefer a dairy-free version, skip the butter and blend the roasted garlic with some extra garlic confit olive oil and fresh herbs. It’s just as flavorful and perfect for those with dietary restrictions.
Serving Suggestions: Try serving the lobster tails with grilled asparagus or a fresh arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette. The citrus will complement the rich garlic butter nicely.

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

The dish shows two lobster tails on a white plate with a blue pattern, placed on a white marbled surface. One lobster tail is filled with a green herb butter, smooth and slightly melted, hugging the white lobster meat inside the red shell. The other tail is opened and reveals chunks of white lobster meat mixed with the same green herb butter, filling the shell. Around the lobster tails, there are four grilled lemon halves with dark char marks, adding a rustic touch and a pop of yellow with brown grill textures. The overall look is colorful with red, green, yellow, and white contrasting vividly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Roast the Garlic to Perfection

Start by preheating your oven to 130°C. While that’s warming up, peel the garlic cloves using a quick soak in boiling water—just five minutes to loosen the skins makes peeling so much easier. Place the peeled cloves into an ovenproof dish and completely cover them with extra virgin olive oil. This step is crucial because it prevents the garlic from burning as it gently roasts. Pop it in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the garlic cloves are soft and the oil shows tiny bubbles—this slow roasting transforms raw garlic into sweet, mellow confit garlic.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Confit Butter

Carefully remove the garlic cloves from the oil, reserving the infused olive oil for later use. Into a food processor, add these soft roasted cloves along with 250 grams of salted butter at room temperature, and your chopped chives and parsley. Don’t forget a generous pinch of salt and pepper to bring it all together. Blend until it's luxuriously smooth and creamy. If you prefer a rustic texture, finely chop the herbs and mash everything by hand with a fork—it’s just as delicious!

Step 3: Butterfly and Season the Lobster Tails

Now for the star of the show: the lobster tails. Take kitchen scissors and carefully cut through the top of the shell, teasing the meat up without cutting the tail intact—think of it as creating a little pocket for the butter to melt into. Season the exposed lobster meat generously with salt and pepper, then drizzle with the reserved garlic confit olive oil. This step ensures the lobster stays juicy and picks up those subtle garlicky notes even before grilling.

Step 4: Preheat Your BBQ to Sizzle

Fire up your BBQ grill to high and close the lid until it reaches 200°C (about 390°F). A hot grill means those beautiful char marks we all love and that signature smoky flavor that really elevates grilled seafood. While the grill heats, melt half of your garlic confit butter in a small saucepan or microwave. Keep the rest refrigerated for basting and serving—it keeps the flavors fresh for up to four weeks!

Step 5: Grill the Lobster and Lemon Slices

Place the lobster tails flesh-side down directly on the grill and scatter the lemon slices around them. Close the lid and cook for 6 minutes. You'll notice the lobster meat turning pink and getting those lovely charred edges—this is when the magic happens! The heat caramelizes the natural sugars in the lobster, enhancing its sweetness.

Step 6: Flip, Baste, and Finish Cooking

Use metal tongs to carefully flip the lobster tails and lemon slices. Grab a brush and baste the lobster generously with the melted garlic butter. Close the BBQ lid and let it cook for another 4 minutes, basting every minute to keep the meat moist and infused with that buttery garlic goodness. Save a little butter aside for drizzling when serving—it’s the final touch that takes this dish to the next level.

Step 7: Rest, Drizzle, and Serve

Once grilled, remove the lobster tails and lemon slices from the BBQ and let them rest briefly. This helps the juices redistribute for a tender bite. Drizzle the remaining garlic confit butter over the lobster, squeeze the charred lemon for a burst of smoky citrus, and serve immediately. Your guests will be wowed by this stunning, flavorful main course that's perfect for a summer barbecue gathering!

Top Tip

These tips will help you nail the Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe with ease, ensuring every bite bursts with rich, garlicky goodness and perfectly cooked lobster.

Fully Submerge Your Garlic: When roasting the garlic for confit, make sure all cloves are fully covered in olive oil. This keeps them tender and prevents burning, which is key to that smooth, silky butter texture.
Butterfly with Care: Use sharp scissors and a steady hand when butterflying the lobster tails. I learned the hard way that cutting too deep can break the tail and lose precious meat!
Consistent Basting: Basting the lobster tails every minute during the last stage on the grill really seals in the flavors and adds that irresistible gloss and caramelization.
Don’t Skip the Charred Lemon: Adding those lemon rings directly on the grill not only releases amazing smoky citrus aroma but also balances the richness of the garlic butter perfectly. Avoiding this step would be a missed flavor opportunity!

How to Serve Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe

Two bright red lobster tails split open and filled with a green herb sauce, sitting on a black baking tray that also has six halves of grilled lemons with browned edges placed around the lobsters. To the right of the tray is a white marbled surface holding a blue marbled bowl filled with more green herb sauce and a wooden brush resting inside it. A woman's hand is holding the tray above a grill with black grates and a dark wooden deck floor is underneath. The background is a dark gray wall with a rough texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Keep it simple and fresh with a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley or chives for a burst of green color and fresh herbal notes. A few lemon wedges alongside the lobster tails invite guests to add extra zesty brightness as they like. For an elegant touch, a light dusting of smoked paprika or a few edible flowers can elevate presentation beautifully.

Side Dishes

This Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe pairs wonderfully with vibrant summer sides like a crisp garden salad, grilled asparagus, or roasted baby potatoes tossed in fresh herbs. For something indulgent, creamy risotto or a buttery corn on the cob are fantastic companions that complement the richness of the lobster.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover lobster tails in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 2 days. Make sure to drizzle a little reserved garlic confit butter or olive oil over the meat before storing to keep it moist and flavorful.

Freezing

You can freeze cooked lobster tails, but the texture may soften slightly upon thawing. To freeze, wrap each lobster tail tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

Gently reheat your lobster tails by wrapping them in foil with a little of the reserved garlic confit butter inside, then warm in a 150 degrees Celsius oven for about 10-12 minutes. Avoid overheating to keep the lobster tender and juicy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen lobster tails for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just thaw them completely in the refrigerator before preparing to ensure even cooking and the best texture when grilled.

How do I know when the lobster tails are cooked?

Look for the flesh to turn pink and opaque with slight char marks. Typically, grilling flesh side down for 6 minutes then flipping and basting for 4 more minutes works perfectly.

Can I substitute the herbs in the garlic confit butter?

Yes! While chives and parsley add fresh, mild flavors, you can try tarragon, basil, or cilantro for a different twist, just adjust to your taste.

How long can I store the garlic confit butter?

Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is also an option.

Final Thoughts

Making the Garlic Confit Butter Lobster Tails Recipe is truly a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and delivers a feast on your plate. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or simply treating yourself, these lobster tails bring elegance and deliciousness effortlessly. Enjoy the rich flavors, the tender texture, and the joy of sharing this beautiful dish with your favorite people.