Description
This fast and easy broiled lobster tail recipe yields tender, juicy, and buttery lobster tails with a flavorful garlic and smoked paprika butter. Perfect for a delicious and elegant seafood dish that can be prepared in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Lobster Tails
- 4 10-oz lobster tails
Butter Mixture
- 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 fridge or place them in a sealed bag and submerge in cold water on the counter for about 30 minutes until fully thawed.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to Broil at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Position the oven rack 4 to 5 inches from the broiler element to ensure perfect cooking.
- Butterfly Lobster Tails: Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the shell lengthwise from the end opposite the tail fins, cutting through the top shell but not the bottom. Pry the shell open and gently pull the lobster meat upward, keeping the end attached to the tail fin intact. Push the empty shell underneath and lay the lobster meat on top, then place the tail on a baking sheet.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper until well combined.
- Brush Lobster with Butter: Generously brush the butter mixture over the exposed lobster meat ensuring it is well coated.
- Broil Lobster Tails: Broil the lobster tails for approximately 1 minute per ounce of tail weight until the meat is opaque and lightly browned. For example, broil 10-ounce tails for 10 minutes.
Notes
- Use kitchen shears for safely butterflying the lobster tails without damaging the meat.
- You can thaw frozen lobster tails faster by placing them in cold water rather than the refrigerator overnight.
- Adjust the cooking time precisely based on the size of the lobster tail (1 minute per ounce) for perfectly cooked meat.
- Brush the lobster meat multiple times with the butter mixture during broiling for enhanced flavor and moisture.
- If you prefer a milder spice profile, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
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
