Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter, Parsley, and Lemon Recipe
Tender, juicy baked lobster tails flavored with garlic butter, parsley, and lemon juice, perfect served with pan sauce or extra melted butter for dipping. A simple yet elegant seafood dish that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 8 lobster tails
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Lobster Tails
- 8 small lobster tails
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 pinch seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay), or to taste
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Gather all ingredients and preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the lobster tails.
- Prepare Lobster Tails: Using kitchen shears, cut each lobster tail straight down the middle to split the shell open. Carefully pull the lobster meat through the opening and lay it on top of the shell to ‘butterfly’ the meat, then place the prepared lobsters in an oven-safe baking dish.
- Make Garlic Butter Mixture: In a bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley, stirring well to blend the flavors evenly.
- Season Lobster Tails: Sprinkle a pinch of seafood seasoning, like Old Bay, over each lobster tail. Pour the garlic butter mixture generously over each tail to ensure they are well coated. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top for brightness.
- Bake Lobster Tails: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the shells turn bright red and the lobster meat becomes opaque, about 12 to 15 minutes. For perfect doneness, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the center temperature reaches 140°F to 145°F (60°C to 63°C).
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the lobster tails hot with the pan juices or additional melted butter for dipping. Enjoy immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can use frozen lobster tails that have been thawed before baking if fresh are unavailable.
- Do not overcook lobster tails as it can make the meat tough and rubbery; the ideal internal temperature is 140°F to 145°F.
- Leftover garlic butter can be saved and used as a delicious dipping sauce for bread or other seafood dishes.
