Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe
Introduction
Garlic Butter Lobster Tails offer a luxurious and flavorful seafood experience that’s surprisingly simple to make at home. Succulent lobster meat is bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce, creating an elegant dish perfect for special occasions or indulgent dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 lobster tails
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the lobster tails by thawing completely if frozen. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, cut down the top center of each shell, stopping before the tail fin. Spread the shell open, and optionally lift the meat out slightly (butterflying) for better sauce coverage. Remove the dark vein along the top.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the prepared lobster tails on a baking sheet without overcrowding.
- Step 6: Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over the exposed lobster meat. Spoon generous amounts of the garlic butter cream sauce over each tail.
- Step 7: Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the lobster meat is opaque and cooked through. Avoid overcooking to prevent tough texture.
- Step 8: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately with crusty bread or your favorite sides.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor, but garlic powder can substitute if needed—add it later in the melting butter stage to avoid burning.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle heat.
- Incorporate fresh herbs like chives or basil for extra freshness and color.
- For brighter flavors, squeeze additional fresh lemon juice over the lobster just before serving.
Storage
Store leftover cooked lobster tails in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a low oven or microwave on a low setting to avoid drying out the meat. The garlic butter sauce can be reheated separately and poured over the lobster before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen lobster tails for this recipe?
Absolutely! Thaw frozen lobster tails completely in the refrigerator overnight before preparing them as instructed. Proper thawing helps ensure even cooking.
What if I don’t have fresh garlic?
While fresh garlic offers the best flavor, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of garlic powder per clove of garlic. Add the garlic powder towards the end of melting the butter to prevent burning.
PrintGarlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe
Garlic Butter Lobster Tails offer a luxurious dining experience with tender, sweet lobster meat smothered in a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce. This elegant yet approachable recipe combines succulent lobster tails with a velvety sauce made from butter, garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs, baked to perfection for an indulgent meal that’s perfect for special occasions or treating yourself.
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 35 Minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Lobster Tails
- 4 lobster tails
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the lobster tails: Thaw the lobster tails completely if frozen. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, cut down the top center of the shell without cutting through the tail fin. Carefully spread the shell open and loosen the meat by sliding your finger or a spoon underneath, then lift it on top of the shell (butterflying). Remove the dark vein along the top by making a shallow cut and lifting it out.
- Create the garlic butter sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, avoiding burning. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and arrange the prepared lobster tails on a baking sheet without overcrowding.
- Add butter and sauce: Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter evenly over the exposed lobster meat. Spoon a generous amount of the creamy garlic butter sauce on each lobster tail, ensuring they are well coated.
- Bake the lobster tails: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the lobster meat turns opaque and is cooked through. Avoid overcooking to prevent toughness.
- Finish and serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a vibrant, fresh touch, and serve immediately while hot with extra sauce. Enjoy alongside crusty bread, salad, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Thaw lobster tails overnight in the refrigerator or use the cold water method in a sealed bag for faster thawing.
- Do not overcook lobster tails to maintain tender texture; the meat should be opaque and pearly white.
- For presentation, butterflying the lobster tails allows better sauce coverage and easier eating.
- You can substitute fresh garlic with 1 teaspoon garlic powder per garlic clove, adding it late in the butter melting process.
- Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or fresh herbs like chives for extra flavor.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up sauce or pair with light sides like roasted asparagus or green salad.
Keywords: garlic butter lobster tails, easy lobster recipe, baked lobster tails, seafood main course, creamy garlic sauce, special occasion meal
