• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • ALL RECIPES
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Pumpkin Recipes
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
Self Proclaimed Foodie
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT ME
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT ME
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Seafood

    Broiled Lobster Tail

    Published: December 21, 2021 · Updated: December 21, 2021 · By: Krissy · 5 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This recipe will tell you everything you need to know, from preparing the lobster to making compound butter, to make absolutely perfect Broiled Lobster Tail. They might be expensive and reserved for special occasions, but lobster is actually extremely quick and easy to make. The method for how to cook a lobster tail in the oven is pretty standard, however you will find some tips and tricks that really sets this recipe apart from all the others!

    And if you love lobster, you'll also want to make my Lobster Bisque and Lobster Mac and Cheese!

    lobster tails that have been cooked in the oven

    Why this recipe is so great:

    • Best way to cook a lobster tail: Like any shellfish, there are a variety of ways to cook this delectable seafood. You can boil, steam, bake, grill, etc. Baked lobster tail, or more specifically broiled, is the best method because it infuses the flavor of the garlic herb butter into the meat and yields a beautiful presentation.
    • Compound butter: Most broiled lobster recipes just use plain old butter. Why do that when you can infuse so much flavor with fresh garlic and herbs! Plus, when you make compound butter, plan on doubling or tripling the batch and store the extra in the fridge. It tastes fantastic on steaks but can also be used to make amazing garlic bread.
    • Broiled lemons: One thing that really sets this recipe apart from the others is that you will broil the lemons alongside the lobster tails. Not only does that add additional aromatics in the oven, but broiling compound butter coated lemons creates the most wonderful warm lemon juice to squeeze on top of the lobster.

    Ingredients needed:

    Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

    • Lobster tails: Fresh or frozen are fine, however if you buy frozen you will need to fully thaw in the refrigerator before preparing. Each lobster tail can range anywhere from 3-10 ounces in size to be considered a full serving. These tails were roughly 5-6 ounces each with the shells.
    • Butter: If you are going to spend a lot of money on lobster, please use a high quality butter.
    • Lemons: Meyer lemons are best because they have lovely aromatics and are slightly less acidic, but standard lemons will work.
    • Herbs: I prefer to use rosemary and thyme in the compound butter and then parsley and chives in the melted serving butter.
    ingredients to make Broiled Lobster Tail

    How to cook lobster tail:

    Detailed step by step instructions are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

    Step 1: Prepare Lobster Tails

    When preparing to broil lobster tails, you must lift the meat out of the shell. The first try might seem a bit tricky, but it is really an easy process if you follow these step-by-step instructions.

    1. Cut shell: Using sharp clean kitchen shears, face the meaty part of the tail towards you with the tail opposite and slide the shears in between the shell and the meat. Slowly cut each segment of shell in a straight line to the tail.
    2. Separate meat: Turn tail upside down. Place your fingertips in between the cut shell and the meat. Use your thumbs to press down on the bottom of the tail. This will further break the shell. Use your fingers to carefully separate the meat from the shell until it has completely separated, except for the section connected at the tail.
    3. Remove vein: If there is a vein present, remove it.
    4. Rinse: Hold the tail and shell under cold running water to wash away any small fragments of the shell that may be present. Do not submerge underwater and shake off any excess when done.
    5. Place meat on top of shell: Carefully lift the meat away from the shell, close the cut shell beneath it, and place the meat on top. The lobster tail should naturally butterfly, but if any small pieces need to be cut to allow the butterfly shape, do so now.
    6. Coat with butter: Place prepared lobster tails on a parchment-lined baking sheet along with some cut lemon halves and wedges. Coat meat with melted garlic herb butter and use any remaining butter to coat the lemon.
    • cutting the spine of a lobster tail with scissors
      cut the shell to the tail
    • forcing the meat out of a lobster shell
      turn over and push the meat out
    • deveining lobster
      remove vein if present
    • lifting lobster meat away from shell
      gently lift meat out of shell
    • placing butterflied lobster meat on top of shell
      place meat on top of shell
    • brushing melted garlic herb butter on top of lobster shell
      cover with garlic herb butter

    Step 2: Broil Lobster Tails:

    Preheat the oven with the broiler on and place the baking sheet on the center rack. Broil the lobster tails with the lemons until the meat turns an opaque white color and the shells turn a vibrant orange-red. To be sure, verify the internal temperature of the lobster tail meat is 145°F with a good quality instant-read thermometer.

    Broiled Lobster Tails

    Recipe tips for perfect results:

    • Buying lobster tails: Many people will buy Costco lobster tails because, around the holidays, they will have large packs in the meat department or you may find some at one of their Seafood Road Shows. My recommendation is to try and find tails that are the same size so that they cook at the same rate. Plan on one lobster tail per person. Pro tip: Frozen lobster tails at large grocery stores often go on sale after holidays like Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve. I've been able to buy them half off!
    • Serving suggestions: All you need is the warm juicy broiled lemons and additional melted butter.
    • Reheating: I'm not going to recommend reheating lobster tails. When you make broiled lobster tails, plan on making the exact amount that will get eaten fresh. If, however, for some reason you have leftover lobster, instead of reheating, my recommendation would be to slice cold and add to a salad or toss in a pasta recipe.
    perfectly cooked Broiled Lobster Tail

    Serve broiled lobster tails with:

    You can turn this recipe into Surf and Turf simply by making a delicious Filet Mignon or T-Bone steak to serve alongside.

    You can't go wrong by serving with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Bite Sized Smashed Potatoes on the side. If you're looking for a vibrant green vegetable, I would recommend Wilted Garlic Spinach or Garlic Parmesan Oven Roasted Asparagus. Are you sensing the garlic theme?

    If you’ve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!

    You can also follow along on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes to satisfy any foodie craving!

    lobster tails with melted butter and lemons

    Broiled Lobster Tail

    The easiest and most delicious way to make Broiled Lobster Tail for your next special occasion dinner!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Scale: 4 servings
    Recipe Created By: Krissy Allori

    Ingredients

    Lobsters:

    • 4 lobster tails (mine were 5-6 ounces each)
    • salt and pepper
    • 2 lemons (halved or wedged; Meyer lemons recommended)

    Compound butter:

    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened, high quality)
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (stems removed)
    • 4 sprigs fresh thyme (woody stems removed)

    For serving:

    • 4 tablespoons butter (melted, high quality)
    • 1 teaspoon fresh parsley (minced)
    • 1 teaspoon fresh chives (minced)

    Instructions

    • Prepare lobster tails: Using a sharp pair of kitchen shears, cut down the middle of the shell all the way to the tail. Turn the tail over, grab the cut shell with the finger tips on both hands, and bend inside out while releasing the meat from the shell. Turn back over, lift the meat away from the shell while keeping the tail connected, and set the meat on top of the shell. Remove vein, if present, and separate any connective tissue preventing it from taking it's natural butterfly shape. Rinse tails to remove any small fragments of shell and shake off any excess water (do not submerge in water). Sprinkle a thin layer of salt and pepper on top of the lobster meat.
      prepared lobster tails prior to oven
    • Make compound butter: Combine the softened butter with the garlic and herbs in the food processor and process until smooth. When you are ready to broil the lobster, gently melt the compound butter.
      compound butter in food processor
    • Broil the lobster: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set the prepared lobsters on top. Arrange the lemon wedges or halves on the paper. Brush melted herb butter on top of lobster meat and spread any excess on top of lemons. Preheat broiler to 500°F and ensure top rack is in the center of the oven, about 6-8 inches below the heating element. Place baking sheet in broiler and cook roughly ten minutes until meat is opaque, shells are vibrant orangish-red, and internal temperature of the meat is about 145°F.
      Broiled Lobster Tails
    • Serve: Place parsley and chives in melted butter. Squeeze broiled lemons over lobster meat and dip each bite into the melted butter.

    Notes

    Cooking time is roughly 2 minutes per ounce, so 5-oz tails take about 10 minutes to cook.
    Anywhere from 3 to 10-ounce lobster tails are considered a good size for an individual portion. 

    NUTRITION INFORMATION

    Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 271mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 775IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 1mg
    SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTERSign up to have my recipes emailed to you. Free!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tara

      December 22, 2021 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      Such a wonderful and special meal to make at home! I love all that flavor, especially from the compound butter and so easy too.

      Reply
    2. Andrea

      December 22, 2021 at 7:57 am

      5 stars
      Such an easy recipe and love the compound butter that's on it. The lobster tails look fantastic.

      Reply
    3. Beth

      December 22, 2021 at 7:51 am

      5 stars
      This post is so pretty & delicious! What a great idea to broil the lemons to give the tails an added lemony flavor! Delish!

      Reply
    4. Maria San Juan

      December 22, 2021 at 7:48 am

      5 stars
      Yum! Would love to try this soon!

      Reply
    5. Lucy

      December 22, 2021 at 7:18 am

      5 stars
      This is such a delicious fancy meal that is perfect for special occasions. I love how easy the lobster is to make in under 30 minutes.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Krissy

    A close up of a woman

    I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make. more about me...

    SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter

    Valentine's Favorites

    • Absolutely Perfect Filet Mignon
    • Chocolate Covered Strawberries
    • Broiled Lobster Tail
    • Heart Beet Pancakes
    online publications that have featured self proclaimed foodie

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Salmon Patties (Salmon Cakes)
    • Granny's Monkey Bread Recipe
    • Perfect Prime Rib Roast
    • Cajun Shrimp Pasta
    • Country Sausage Gravy
    • Absolutely Perfect Filet Mignon
    • Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce {Easy 4 Ingredient Recipe + Video}
    • Granny's Classic Meatloaf Recipe

    Footer

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    Contact

    Privacy Policy

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Check Out Ten Acre Baker

    Meet Krissy

    Social

    Pinterest

    Facebook

    Instagram

    You Tube

    Sign Up for free emails

    Recipes

    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast
    • Drinks
    • Appetizers

    Self Proclaimed Foodie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 SELF PROCLAIMED FOODIE®