Elevate your dining experience with Broiled Lobster Tails with Lemon Butter, a dish that epitomizes sophistication and indulgence. This recipe transforms the exquisite lobster tail into a culinary masterpiece, featuring succulent meat basked in a rich, zesty lemon butter sauce. Perfect for special occasions or when you’re looking to treat yourself, these broiled lobster tails promise a restaurant-quality meal right at home. The simplicity of the preparation belies the decadence of the dish, making it accessible to cooks of all levels who wish to impress their guests or enjoy a luxurious meal.
Why You’ll Love Broiled Lobster Tails with Lemon Butter:
- Sophisticated Flavors: The combination of sweet lobster meat and tangy lemon butter creates a harmonious and refined taste.
- Simple Elegance: Despite its luxurious appeal, this dish is surprisingly easy to prepare, requiring just a few ingredients.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for celebrating milestones, romantic dinners, or whenever you desire a touch of elegance in your meal.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the seasoning to suit your palate, making it a versatile recipe to have in your repertoire.
Ingredients Notes For Broiled Lobster Tails with Lemon Butter:
- Lobster Tails: Fresh or frozen lobster tails work well for this recipe. Thaw completely if using frozen.
- Butter: Unsalted butter allows you to control the seasoning. It’s melted and mixed with lemon juice for the sauce.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice is key to achieving the vibrant flavor that complements the lobster.
- Garlic: Adds depth to the lemon butter sauce. Adjust the amount according to your taste preferences.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley not only adds color but also a subtle freshness to the dish.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and a dash of paprika or cayenne pepper enhance the natural flavors of the lobster.
Recipe Steps:
- Prepare the Lobster Tails: Using kitchen shears, cut a lengthwise slit through the top shell of each lobster tail, stopping at the tail fin. Gently pry the shell open and lift the lobster meat out, resting it on top of the shell.
- Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, and mix in minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped parsley, and seasonings.
- Broil the Lobster: Brush the lobster meat generously with the lemon butter sauce. Broil on high, positioned about 6 inches from the heat source, for about 10-12 minutes or until the lobster meat is opaque and slightly golden.
- Serve: Drizzle remaining lemon butter sauce over the broiled lobster tails and garnish with lemon slices and additional parsley.
Storage Options:
- Best Enjoyed Fresh: Lobster tails are best enjoyed immediately after cooking to savor their natural sweetness and tender texture.
Cooking Broiled Lobster Tails with Lemon Butter
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lobster tails (about 4–6 ounces each)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- Extra lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
Prepare the Lobster Tails:
- Preheat the broiler and adjust the oven rack to the top position, about 6-8 inches from the broiler element.
- Butterfly the lobster tails: Using kitchen shears, cut lengthwise through the top shell of each lobster tail, stopping at the tail fin. Do not cut through the end of the tail. Spread the shell open slightly. Using a knife, make a shallow cut down the center of the meat, then lift the meat slightly so it sits on top of the shell.
Make the Lemon Butter Sauce:
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add lemon juice and zest, and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
Broil the Lobster Tails:
- Season the lobster meat lightly with salt and pepper. Place the lobster tails on a baking sheet or broiler pan.
- Brush generously with the lemon butter sauce, ensuring some of it drips onto the meat.
- Broil the lobster tails for about 1 minute per ounce of individual tail (e.g., a 6-ounce tail would broil for about 6 minutes), or until the meat is opaque and lightly browned. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Serve:
- Garnish the lobster tails with chopped parsley and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges and the remaining lemon butter sauce on the side for dipping.