By Emma Carter
These broiled lobster tails are the 20-minute dinner I make when I want something that feels like a celebration but cooks like a weeknight meal. Butterflied tails, garlic butter, tender sweet meat — that is the whole recipe. They are one of my favourite lobster recipes for date night, Christmas Eve, or any dinner that deserves something special, and the oven does all the work.
Broiled Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter (20 Minutes)
Description
Broiled lobster tails in 20 minutes — butterflied tails, garlic butter, tender and sweet. Restaurant-style lobster, easy enough for date night.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Butterfly the tails — with kitchen shears, cut straight down the centre of the top shell from the wide end to the tail fan, stopping just before the fan; pull shell apart and lift meat up onto top of shell, keeping it attached at tail end.
- Season — place tails meat-side up on a rimmed baking sheet; brush with half the melted butter, season with salt, pepper and paprika.
- Make the garlic butter — stir garlic, lemon juice and lemon zest into remaining melted butter.
- Broil — position oven rack about 6 inches from broiler, preheat broiler on high; broil tails 8–10 minutes, until meat is opaque and firm, brushing once halfway with garlic butter.
- Finish — brush tails with remaining garlic butter as soon as they come out of the oven.
- Serve — sprinkle parsley, serve right away with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Thaw first — thaw frozen tails overnight in fridge; broiling from frozen makes meat tough. Do not overcook — pull as soon as meat is opaque and firm, about 8–10 minutes for 5–6 oz tails; bigger tails (8 oz) need 10–12 minutes. Butterflying is worth it — two minutes per tail, keeps tail flat, cooks evenly, looks beautiful. Serve with drawn butter, rice pilaf or mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus or salad.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories
- 230kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 13g
- 20%
- Sodium 480mg
- 20%
- Total Carbohydrate 2g
- 1%
- Protein 24g
- 48%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ready in 20 minutes, start to finish
- Butterflied tails cook evenly and look restaurant-style
- Garlic butter and lemon — simple, classic flavour
- No special equipment, just the broiler
Ingredients — how to choose them
- Lobster tails — 5–6 oz tails are the sweet spot; cold-water tails (Maine, Canada) are sweeter and firmer than warm-water tails; buy frozen and thaw overnight in fridge.
- Butter and garlic — real butter makes the sauce; fresh garlic, not jarred.
- Lemon — juice and zest in the butter, wedges to serve.
How to make broiled lobster tails
- Butterfly the tails — with kitchen shears, cut straight down the centre of the top shell from the wide end to the tail fan, stopping just before the fan; pull shell apart and lift meat up onto top of shell, keeping it attached at tail end.
- Season — place tails meat-side up on a rimmed baking sheet; brush with half the melted butter, season with salt, pepper and paprika.
- Make the garlic butter — stir garlic, lemon juice and lemon zest into remaining melted butter.
- Broil — position oven rack about 6 inches from broiler, preheat broiler on high; broil tails 8–10 minutes, until meat is opaque and firm, brushing once halfway with garlic butter.
- Finish — brush tails with remaining garlic butter as soon as they come out of the oven.
- Serve — sprinkle parsley, serve right away with lemon wedges.
How to tell when lobster tails are done
Lobster tails are done when meat is opaque white and firm to the touch, and an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part reads 145°F.
What to serve with broiled lobster tails
- drawn butter and lemon wedges
- rice pilaf or mashed potatoes
- roasted asparagus, green beans, or a simple salad
- crusty bread, for the garlic butter
For another date-night favourite, try the Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Garlic Butter.
Storage and reheating
Fridge up to 2 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes, just until warm, with a little butter on top; do not microwave on high. Freezer not recommended once cooked.
FAQ
How long do you broil lobster tails? — About 8–10 minutes for a 5–6 oz tail under a high broiler, 6 inches from the heat; bigger tails (8 oz) need 10–12 minutes.
How do you butterfly a lobster tail? — Cut down the centre of the top shell with kitchen shears, pull shell apart, lift meat up onto the shell, keeping it attached at the tail fan.
Can I use frozen lobster tails? — Yes, thaw overnight in the fridge first; do not broil from frozen.
What temperature is lobster done at? — 145°F in the thickest part, when meat is opaque and firm.
Can I grill these instead? — Yes, grill meat-side down first, then flip and brush with garlic butter.
What goes well with broiled lobster tails? — Drawn butter, rice pilaf, mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, or a salad.
