If you’ve been craving something luxurious but surprisingly simple, then you’re in for a real treat with this Broiled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter Recipe. I absolutely love how effortlessly elegant this dish is—it comes together quickly, bursting with flavor, and always feels like a special occasion. Trust me, you’ll find that mastering this recipe means you have a perfect crowd-pleaser ready anytime you want to impress without the stress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Simple: It only takes about 15 minutes prep and under 10 minutes cooking—perfect for busy nights or last-minute dinner plans.
- Mouthwatering Flavor: The herb and garlic butter infuses the lobster with amazing depth, making every bite unforgettable.
- Impress Without Stress: Whether it’s a date night or a dinner party, this recipe feels fancy but is so easy to pull off.
- Versatile Presentation: You can serve it as a luscious appetizer or the star of your meal—everyone loves it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Broiled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter Recipe, I like to keep it straightforward with quality ingredients that complement the lobster perfectly. The butter enhances the natural sweetness while the herbs and paprika add just the right kick.
- Lobster tails: Fresh or thawed, ideally 12-14 ounces each for a perfect meat-to-shell ratio.
- Herb and garlic butter: Homemade or store-bought, this is where all the rich flavor comes in.
- Sweet paprika: Adds a subtle smoky hint and beautiful color.
- Lemon wedges: Freshly cut for that bright citrus pop that balances the richness.
- Coarse salt and cracked pepper: Essential for seasoning—don’t be shy!
- Melted unsalted butter: Optional, but I love offering extra for dipping or drizzling.
- Fresh parsley or chives (optional): A sprinkle for garnish that adds color and a fresh note.
Variations
Over the years, I’ve played around with different ways to make this Broiled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter Recipe my own, and I encourage you to do the same. Whether you want it spicier, richer, or with a fresh twist, there’s plenty of room to experiment.
- Spicy Kick: Sometimes I add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the butter to bring a subtle heat, and my family absolutely goes crazy for it.
- Citrus Herb Butter: Swapping lemon zest or even a touch of orange zest into your butter mix brightens things up wonderfully.
- Dairy-Free Option: I’ve found that using a high-quality olive oil infused with garlic and herbs works beautifully if you’re avoiding butter.
- Extra Garlic: When I want to really emphasize flavor, I add a few extra minced garlic cloves—be careful not to burn it under the broiler though!
How to Make Broiled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Lobster Like a Pro
The first thing I do in this Broiled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter Recipe is to prep the lobster tails carefully. I like to squeeze the tail’s base gently—this helps loosen the meat for an easier peel. You’ve got two options here: either grab kitchen shears and carefully cut down the top of the shell, or use a sharp knife to slice through from the tail end moving forward. I personally prefer the knife method because it feels a bit more controlled, but whichever way, don’t rush. After that, pull the meat out gently and place it right back on the shell—that presentation step makes all the difference.
Step 2: Butter Up with Herb Garlic Goodness
Next up, dollop about two tablespoons of your herb and garlic butter onto each lobster tail meat. I love how the butter melts into every crevice, adding flavor and keeping the tails tender. Don’t be shy about seasoning here; a little coarse salt and cracked pepper work wonders. If you want, sprinkle a pinch of sweet paprika over the top to boost the color and subtle smoky flavor.
Step 3: Broil to Perfection
Pop those beauties onto a sheet tray spaced a few inches apart, then slide them into the oven on a middle rack under a preheated high broiler. Watch them carefully because they only need 6 to 8 minutes to cook, depending on size. You’re aiming for beautiful browned edges and an internal temperature around 135°F. I like to remove them right when I see slight caramelization—it keeps the meat juicy and tender, avoiding toughness. Let them rest a couple of minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Broiled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter Recipe
- Choosing Lobster Tails: I always opt for 12-14 ounce tails because smaller ones cook too fast and larger ones can dry out if not monitored closely.
- Don’t Overcook: I learned the hard way that broiled lobster can get rubbery if you leave it too long—135°F internal temp is my golden rule.
- Butter Placement: Spreading ribbons of the herb butter over the meat rather than just on top helps keep the whole tail supremely moist.
- Preheat Your Broiler: Skipping this step can mess with cooking times and texture, so be patient and get it nice and hot first.
How to Serve Broiled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter Recipe
Garnishes
I love to garnish these lobster tails with freshly minced parsley or chives—it adds a vibrant green pop that’s as appealing visually as it is flavor-wise. A few lemon wedges on the side are essential, too, because a squeeze of citrus just lifts the buttery richness like magic.
Side Dishes
For sides, I often keep it classic: a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, roasted asparagus, or garlic mashed potatoes. These sides complement the lobster’s richness without overpowering it, making for a balanced and satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’ve served this for special occasions, I like to place the lobster tails on a bed of sea salt or crushed ice on a large platter—it keeps them cool and looks stunning. Adding edible flowers or microgreens around the edges takes it to the next level if you want to really wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and find that the lobster holds up well for up to two days. Just be sure to keep it away from strong-smelling foods because lobster can easily absorb odors.
Freezing
If I want to freeze some lobster tails, I wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil to avoid freezer burn. When thawing, I do it in the fridge overnight to keep the texture intact, although I prefer to freeze raw tails rather than cooked for best results.
Reheating
Reheating lobster can be tricky because it easily gets rubbery. I gently warm leftover lobster tails in a 275°F oven, covered with foil, for about 10 minutes to slowly bring back moisture without drying them out. A touch of melted butter on top before serving also helps.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen lobster tails for this Broiled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure you thaw them completely—even overnight in the fridge works best—before broiling. This helps ensure they cook evenly and stay tender. Avoid cooking them straight from frozen, or they might end up tough and unevenly cooked.
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How do I know when the lobster tails are done?
Look for opaque white meat that’s firm to the touch and lightly browned around the edges. Using a meat thermometer to reach 135°F internal temperature is the most reliable way to get perfect results every time.
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Can I prepare the herb butter in advance?
Yes! Preparing herb and garlic butter ahead of time is a great timesaver. Store it in the fridge and let it come to room temperature before spreading it on the lobster tails to maximize flavor and ease of application.
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What can I serve with Broiled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter?
I often pair this dish with light salads, roasted veggies, or buttery mashed potatoes. Steamed green beans or a crisp white wine also make wonderful complements.
Final Thoughts
This Broiled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s the perfect blend of simplicity and luxury without the fuss. Every time I make it, I feel like I’m treating myself and my loved ones to something truly special. You’ll see just how easy it is to create restaurant-worthy flavors right in your own kitchen. So go ahead, give this recipe a try—you won’t regret it, and I promise your family and friends will be asking for it again and again!
Print
Broiled Lobster Tails with Herb Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Broiled Lobster Tail recipe offers a luxurious seafood experience featuring succulent lobster meat bathed in herb and garlic butter, broiled to perfection until tender and lightly browned. Quick and easy to prepare, it’s ideal as an elegant appetizer or a stunning main course for special occasions.
Ingredients
Seafood
- 3 lobster tails (12-14 ounces each, cold or warm-water)
Butter Mixture
- 6 tablespoons herb and garlic butter
- Melted unsalted butter for serving
Seasoning & Garnish
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- Coarse salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges
- Optional: minced fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Broiler: Set your oven’s broiler to high heat and allow it to preheat fully for optimal cooking.
- Prepare the Lobster Tails: Pinch the bottom part of each lobster tail shell to loosen the meat. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, slice down the top of the shell from the tail end forward just until you reach the tail fan, being careful not to cut the lobster meat.
- Lift the Meat: Carefully pull the lobster meat out of the shell, keeping it attached at the base, and lay it on top of the shell for presentation. Arrange lobster tails spaced a few inches apart on a baking sheet.
- Apply Butter and Seasoning: Place about 2 tablespoons of the herb and garlic butter on top of each lobster tail meat. Sprinkle with sweet paprika, coarse salt, and freshly cracked pepper according to taste.
- Broil the Lobster: Position the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven under the preheated broiler. Broil the lobster tails for 6 to 8 minutes, depending on their size, until the edges are lightly browned and the internal temperature reaches 135°F (57°C).
- Rest the Lobster: Remove the lobster tails from the oven and let them rest for 1 to 2 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Transfer the lobster tails to a serving platter. Garnish with lemon wedges, optional minced parsley or chives, and serve with melted unsalted butter for dipping to enhance the flavor.
Notes
- This recipe highlights the rich flavor of lobster enhanced by herby garlic butter and quick broiling for a tender texture and beautiful browning.
- Preparation is simple and fast, making it perfect for a special occasion or an impressive appetizer.
- Adjust broiling time based on lobster tail size to avoid overcooking and maintain juiciness.
- Serving with lemon wedges and melted butter adds brightness and richness to the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lobster tail
- Calories: 146 kcal
- Sugar: 0.04 g
- Sodium: 342 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.1 g
- Fiber: 0.02 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 106 mg
