Description
This Garlic Butter Lobster Tails recipe features succulent lobster tails seasoned with a blend of paprika, Old Bay seasoning, and aromatic spices, then baked and broiled to perfection. The rich garlic butter sauce with fresh parsley and lemon zest elevates the flavors, making it an elegant and delicious seafood dish perfect for a special dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Lobster Tails
- 4 lobster tails
- 1 ¼ teaspoon paprika, divided
- 1 ¼ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, divided
- 1 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, melted
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the lobster tails.
- Prepare lobster tails: Use kitchen scissors to carefully cut down the back of each lobster shell until you reach near the tail base, leaving it intact to keep the tail together. Gently pull back the shell and separate the lobster meat with your fingers, lifting it to rest on top of the shell. Remove the black vein if present and rinse the meat under cold water if needed.
- Season lobster tails: Place the lobster tails on a baking sheet with a rack. In a small bowl, combine ¼ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly over the lobster tails.
- Bake lobster tails: Bake the seasoned lobster tails in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until they start to cook through.
- Make garlic butter sauce: While baking, mix together the melted butter, chopped fresh parsley, grated garlic, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a bowl until well combined.
- Brush lobster with butter: Remove 3 tablespoons of the garlic butter mixture and set it aside for topping later. Brush the remaining butter mixture generously over the lobster tails.
- Broil lobster tails: Switch the oven to the broiler setting on high. Broil the lobster tails for 3 minutes until the tops become golden and slightly crispy.
- Finish and serve: Remove the lobster tails from the oven and spoon the reserved garlic butter sauce over the tops. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the lobster.
Notes
- Scissors are safer and easier than knives for cutting lobster shells.
- Removing the black vein improves the lobster’s texture and flavor.
- Use fresh parsley for the best flavor in the garlic butter sauce.
- If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, a mix of paprika, celery salt, and cayenne pepper works as a substitute.
- Keep an eye while broiling to prevent burning; the lobster meat should turn opaque and slightly browned on top.
- Serve with crusty bread or rice to soak up the garlic butter sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lobster tail
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
