Fast Easy Lobster Tail
Perfectly broiled lobster tails with a buttery, garlicky, and slightly spicy flavor. This quick and easy method delivers tender, juicy seafood ready in just 20 minutes.
Equipment
- 1 oven set to broil at 500°F
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 small bowl
- 1 kitchen shears
- 1 Basting brush optional for applying butter mixture
Ingredients
- 4 lobster tails 10 ounces each
- 1/4 cup salted butter melted (1/2 stick)
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions
- If frozen, thaw lobster tails overnight in the fridge or in cold water for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to Broil at 500°F (260°C) and position rack 4 to 5 inches from the broiler.
- Butterfly lobster tails by cutting down the center of the top shell with kitchen shears without cutting through the bottom shell.
- Gently pull the lobster meat upward, separate it from the bottom shell, and lay the meat on top of the shell.
- Place the butterflied lobster tails on a baking sheet.
- Whisk melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne in a small bowl.
- Brush the butter mixture evenly over the lobster meat.
- Broil lobster tails until the meat is opaque and lightly browned, approximately 1 minute per ounce (about 10 minutes for 10-ounce tails).
Notes
- Butterfly tails and prepare butter mixture ahead but brush lobster no more than 20 minutes before broiling.
- Reheat leftovers wrapped in foil with butter at 350°F for 5-8 minutes.
- Freeze raw lobster tails after blanching for up to 12 months.
- Do not freeze cooked lobster to preserve texture.