Lobster Tail Recipe with Garlic Lemon Butter

This Lobster Tail Recipe with Garlic Lemon Butter is the ultimate restaurant-quality dinner you can make at home in just 30 minutes. Perfectly broiled lobster meat turns juicy, tender, and slightly caramelized on top, while warm garlic lemon butter adds rich, bright flavor to every bite. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night, holiday dinner, or special celebration meal, this easy lobster tail recipe looks impressive but is incredibly simple to prepare.

table of contents

Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 4 lobster tails

Ingredients List

• 4 lobster tails (5–6 oz each)
• 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, very finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt
• ⅛ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 1½ Tbsp olive oil
• 1½ Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• Kitchen scissors
• Small mixing bowl
• 9×13-inch roasting pan
• Instant-read thermometer
• Small saucepan
• Basting brush or spoon

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare & Butterfly the Lobster

Cut the shell:
Use kitchen scissors to cut down the center of the top shell, stopping at the base of the tail. Cut through the top portion of the meat as you go.

Crack the ribs:
Flip the tail over and gently crack the rib section underneath to loosen the shell.

Butterfly the meat:
Carefully pull the shell apart. Loosen the meat from the shell (remove vein if present), keeping it attached at the base. Lift the meat and rest it on top of the shell.

2️⃣ Preheat the Oven

Position rack in the upper third or center so lobster sits at least 6 inches from heat.
Preheat oven to broil (high heat).

3️⃣ Make the Garlic Lemon Marinade

In a small bowl, combine:

• Parsley
• Garlic
• Dijon
• Salt & pepper
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice

Stir until fully combined.

4️⃣ Arrange & Broil

Place lobster tails in roasting pan.

• Spoon marinade evenly over each tail.
• Dot each tail with ½ Tbsp butter (cut into small pieces).

Broil for:

• 3–4 oz tails: 6–8 minutes
• 5–6 oz tails: 10–11 minutes
• 7–9 oz tails: 12–15 minutes

Lobster is done when:

• Meat is opaque white
• Internal temperature reaches 145°F
• Texture is slightly firm but tender

5️⃣ Make Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

Pour pan drippings into a small saucepan.
Add remaining 2 Tbsp butter.
Simmer gently until melted and combined.

Serve over lobster or in small ramekins for dipping.

Pro Tips

• Do not overcook — lobster becomes tough quickly.
• Use an instant thermometer for perfect doneness.
• Fresh lemon juice makes a big difference in flavor.
• Pair with roasted asparagus, mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad.

Nutrition Table

Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber	Sugar
1 lobster tail	200	11g	1g	17g	0g	0g

Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary depending on ingredient brands and portion sizes. Please consult a nutrition professional for precise values.

Conclusion

This Lobster Tail with Garlic Lemon Butter delivers tender, juicy lobster with rich buttery flavor in just 30 minutes. It’s elegant, impressive, and surprisingly simple the perfect special-occasion meal made easy.