Name: Garlic 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 to taste; 1 lemon (sliced into 4cm rings); garlic confit olive oil (reserved from garlic confit); 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 to taste

If you’re craving an elegant yet easy seafood dish, this Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe is an absolute game changer. I promise you’ll love the rich garlic confit butter paired with tender, grilled lobster tails—it’s pure summer magic on a plate.

The image shows a white plate with several pieces of cooked lobster meat, seasoned with green herbs and slight golden-brown grilling marks, placed in the front and center. Behind it, on a white plate with a blue rim, there is a lobster shell split in half with more lobster meat inside and some herb sauce on top along with a grilled lemon half on the side. The scene is set on a white marbled surface, highlighting the vibrant red of the lobster shell and the tender white lobster meat. photo 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 Butter Lobster Tails Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made this garlic confit butter lobster tails recipe for a summer gathering, and honestly, it stole the show. The way the garlic oil infuses the lobster while grilling creates such a wonderfully unique flavor you don’t find in everyday seafood dishes.

Deep, rich flavor: Slow-roasted garlic confit butter adds a luscious, mellow garlic taste that’s not overpowering.
Simple grilling technique: No fancy gadgets needed—just your BBQ and some patience for a perfectly cooked tail.
Elegant presentation: Butterflying the lobster tails creates an impressive look and makes serving easy.
Versatile leftover butter: Garlic confit butter can be saved and used to elevate many other dishes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s talk ingredients before you get started. Using fresh lobster tails is key, and I always recommend getting them chilled and sustainably sourced if you can. The garlic confit process transforms raw garlic into something buttery and sweet, which works beautifully with the seafood. Fresh herbs brighten up the butter, and lemon slices add a zesty, charred finish once grilled alongside.

Flat lay of fresh lobster tails with bright red shells and creamy white meat exposed, two whole garlic bulbs with papery skins intact, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden extra virgin olive oil, a mound of smooth salted butter at room temperature on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl holding finely chopped vibrant green chives, another small white bowl with roughly chopped fresh parsley leaves, four thin bright yellow lemon slices arranged neatly on a white ceramic dish, a few small piles of coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper on the side, 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: Fresh, meaty tails provide the star protein—you want tails that have a firm texture and a mild ocean scent.
Garlic bulbs: For making the confit garlic—the slow roasting softens the cloves and mellows their flavor.
Extra virgin olive oil: Used to roast the garlic cloves—choose a good quality one for the best flavor.
Salted butter: Room temperature butter forms the creamy base for the garlic herb butter and adds richness.
Chives & parsley: Fresh herbs to add a pop of green color and fresh flavor notes that cut through the richness.
Lemon: Thin slices for grilling provide a slight caramelized citrus brightness that complements the lobster perfectly.
Salt & pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all the natural flavors.

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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 this Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe is how easy it is to customize! Whether you’re after a lighter touch, something more herb-forward, or a totally different grilling experience, there’s room to play and make these lobster tails truly your own.

Variation: Herb-Infused Twist – Sometimes, I like to swap out the parsley and chives for fresh tarragon and basil. It gives the butter a bright, slightly aniseed flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the lobster. Just blend the fresh herbs with the confit garlic butter as usual and you get an elegant, fresh take that’s perfect for spring dinners.
Variation: Spicy Kick – If you enjoy a little heat, adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne pepper into your garlic butter really wakes up the flavors. It balances the richness with a subtle smoky warmth that’s especially lovely when grilling outdoors on a summer evening.
Variation: Citrus Boost – Beyond the grilled lemon slices, try zesting a little lemon or orange peel into your garlic butter. The citrus oils brighten the depth of the confit garlic and fresh herbs, giving each bite a vibrant pop that’s irresistible.
Diet-Friendly Tip: For those looking to keep it lighter, you can reduce the amount of butter and finish the lobster tails with a drizzle of the reserved garlic confit olive oil instead. This still delivers rich flavor but cuts down on saturated fat.

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

A white plate with blue accents holds two lobster tails split open and topped with green herb butter. One lobster tail shows smooth white meat with green sauce inside the bright red shell, while the other tail has chunks of white lobster meat with the same green herb topping spilling out. Around the tails are several grilled lemon halves with dark char marks. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Roast the Garlic Confit to Perfection

Start by prepping your garlic cloves. After separating them from the bulbs, give them a quick 5-minute soak in boiling water—this softens the skins making peeling a breeze. Then nestle your peeled cloves into an ovenproof dish and cover them completely with extra virgin olive oil. Make sure they are fully submerged to keep the garlic from burning. Roast gently at 130°C for 1.5 to 2 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when tiny bubbles appear in the oil and the garlic turns tender and mellow, ready to blend into buttery goodness.

Step 2: Blend the Garlic Butter

Once your garlic confit cloves are cool enough to handle, combine them in a food processor with room-temperature salted butter, chopped chives, parsley, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Pulse or blend until fully smooth and creamy. No food processor? No problem! Just mash everything by hand with a fork, making sure the herbs are finely chopped to spread flavor evenly throughout the butter. This garlic butter is the star of the show, so taste as you go and adjust seasoning to your liking.

Step 3: Butterfly and Prep the Lobster Tails

Carefully butterfly your lobster tails by slicing through the top shell but not cutting the tail tip. Use scissors between the meat and shell, then slice down the shell’s center. This technique exposes the tender meat and makes a stunning presentation once cooked. Season the lobster meat lightly with salt and pepper, then drizzle the reserved garlic confit olive oil for an extra hint of rich, garlicky flavor before grilling.

Step 4: Fire Up the BBQ Grill

Preheat your grill to high, closing the lid until the temperature reaches 200°C (390°F). This ensures the lobster meat will sear quickly on direct heat for that perfect pink color and slight char. While the grill heats, melt about half your garlic confit butter—either on the stove or microwave—for basting. The remaining butter can chill in the fridge for up to 4 weeks to enjoy later.

Step 5: Grill with Love and Attention

Lay the lobster tails flesh-side down on the hot grill and scatter your lemon slices alongside. Close the lid and cook for 6 minutes until the meat turns pink and charred spots appear—this is where the magic happens! Flip both lobster and lemon with tongs, then baste the lobster with the melted garlic butter. Close the lid and keep grilling for 4 more minutes, basting every minute to lock in moisture and flavor. Save a bit of butter for drizzling on at serving time.

Step 6: Rest, Dress, and Serve

Remove lobster tails and lemons from the grill and let them rest briefly—it helps the juices settle and flavors deepen. Then drizzle the remaining garlic butter over the lobster tails and squeeze those charred lemon slices generously over the top for a tangy finish. Serve immediately for an impressive, mouthwatering seafood feast that’s sure to wow!

Top Tip

These tips are here to make your Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe turn out absolutely stunning every time — helping you avoid common pitfalls and get the best flavor and texture.

Perfect Garlic Confit: I’ve found that fully submerging the garlic cloves in olive oil during roasting is key—it keeps them soft, mellow, and prevents any burning that would overpower the lobster.
Butterfly With Care: Take your time cutting the lobster tails so you don’t slice through the tail end; this helps the tails open nicely for grilling and makes them easier to eat.
Consistent Basting: Basting every minute after flipping keeps the lobster meat juicy and infused with that rich garlic butter flavor—it’s a game changer!
Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the lobster tails rest briefly after grilling lets the juices redistribute, making each bite perfectly tender.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe

Two bright red lobster tails sit side by side on a black tray, each filled with a light green herb sauce that looks creamy and fresh, filling the open shell part. Around the lobster are six grilled lemon halves with charred dark brown marks on their yellow skin, adding contrast. To the side, a colorful blue bowl with swirls of lighter blue and green holds more of the green sauce, with a wooden brush resting inside it, the tip covered in sauce. The tray is held over a white marbled surface near a grill. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Freshly chopped parsley or chives sprinkled on top not only adds a pop of vibrant color but also enhances that herbaceous note from the garlic butter. A wedge of charred lemon squeezed over just before serving brings a bright, zesty contrast to the rich flavors.

Side Dishes

This elegant main pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette or grilled vegetables like asparagus or zucchini. For something heartier, buttery garlic mashed potatoes or a creamy risotto are wonderful companions that soak up the luscious garlic butter perfectly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover lobster tails in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 2 days without losing much of their flavor or texture.

Freezing

You can freeze leftover lobster tails by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. For best quality, use within 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a low oven (around 120 degrees Celsius) for 10-15 minutes to warm through without drying out. Alternatively, a quick steam or gentle microwave at low power with a cover will help maintain moistness. Finish with a drizzle of reserved garlic butter for that fresh flavor hit.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen lobster tails for this Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe?

Yes! Just make sure to fully thaw them in the fridge overnight before preparing. This ensures even cooking and the best texture when grilled.

Is there a substitute for garlic confit olive oil if I don’t want to make it?

If you’re short on time, you can use good quality extra virgin olive oil infused with minced garlic, but the slow roasting for garlic confit is what truly mellows the garlic flavor for this recipe.

Can I cook the lobster tails indoors instead of a BBQ?

Absolutely. After preparing the lobster tails, you can finish them under a hot broiler for similar direct heat and slight charring. Just watch closely so they don’t overcook.

How do I store the leftover garlic confit butter?

Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 4 weeks. It’s fantastic spread on bread, melted over veggies, or for future seafood dishes!

Final Thoughts

Making the Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe is such a rewarding experience—it’s rich, indulgent, and surprisingly simple once you get the hang of it. Whether it’s a special date night or a summer barbecue with friends, these lobster tails bring a touch of elegance and incredible flavor to the table. So go ahead, treat yourself and enjoy every buttery, garlicky bite!