Description
This fast and easy broiled lobster tail recipe delivers tender, juicy lobster with a buttery garlic flavor in just 20 minutes. Perfect for a special dinner or quick indulgence, these lobster tails are seasoned with smoked paprika and cayenne for a subtle kick and cooked to perfection under the broiler.
Ingredients
Scale
Lobster Tails
- 4 10-oz lobster tails
Butter Sauce
- 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 place them in a sealed bag submerged in cold water on the counter for about 30 minutes until fully thawed.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to the Broil setting at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C) and position the oven rack so the lobster tails will be 4 to 5 inches from the broiler element.
- Butterfly Lobster Tails: Using kitchen shears, carefully cut down the center top shell lengthwise from the wide end to just before the tail fins without cutting the bottom shell. Gently spread open the shell and pull the lobster meat upward, keeping the tail end attached. Place the meat on top of the shell for broiling.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Brush this mixture generously over the exposed lobster meat.
- Broil Lobster Tails: Place the prepared lobster tails on a baking sheet and broil until the meat is opaque and lightly browned, cooking about 1 minute per ounce of lobster tail weight (approximately 10 minutes for 10-ounce tails).
Notes
- For frozen lobster tails, ensure they are completely thawed for even cooking.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control the spice level to your preference.
- Use kitchen shears carefully when butterflying to avoid cutting the bottom shell.
- Basting with the butter mixture throughout cooking can add extra flavor.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges and additional melted butter if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 337 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 91.7 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: 30.5 mg
