These broiled lobster tails are to die for. From Valentine’s Day to decadent dinner parties, the plump, buttery meat is all you need.
If you love lobster, you have to try our recipe for grilled lobster tail too!
Oftentimes, we limit ourselves to enjoying lobster when we go to a fancy, overpriced seafood restaurant. What a shame! This crustacean is so darn easy to cook and costs a fraction of the price when you pick it up yourself from the seafood market. This recipe is so killer because it calls for only 4 wholesome ingredients and barely any prep time to churn out restaurant-quality tail.
Tips of Picking the Best Lobster Tails
Tails can be pricey, so it’s important to arm yourself with the right things to look for at the grocery store.
- Look for the right color. The lobster shell should be a brownish color (it will turn red as it cooks) and the flesh should be a grayish color.
- The lobster shouldn’t smell off. if the lobster has a fishy smell, don’t buy it. It should smell slightly sweet and neutral.
- Avoid slime. If the meat looks or feels slimy, it’s not fresh.
A Step-by-Step Guide on Broiling Lobster Tail
The first step is placing all the tails on a baking sheet and slicing through the center of the top shell.
- Pull the Shell Down: Next, pull the shell under the meat carefully (the meat should look like it’s “peeking” through the shell).
- Season the Lobster Meat: Then, season the lobster meat with garlic parsley salt and little pieces of butter.
- Broil the Lobster: Set the broiler to high and cook the tails until the meat turns opaque and white.
- Finish the Lobster with Lemon: Finally, drizzle some fresh lemon juice on top, serve immediately, and enjoy!
5 Helpful Tips for Broiled Lobster Tails
If it’s your first time broiling tails, a couple of tips will help you nail it.
- Slice through the top shell, not the bottom. It’s okay if you slice into the top flesh a bit (it actually looks kind of cool!), but avoid slicing the bottom shell or the tail will come apart.
- Pat the meat dry with a paper towel. To help the tail crisp slightly on top, pat it dry of excess moisture before you season it.
- Broil the lobster on high, not low. To keep the lobster tails from drying out, broil them on high not low. The key is to limit the amount of time the lobster is under heat as much as possible.
- Broil the lobster on the middle rack. Place the oven rack in the middle position so the lobsters aren’t too close to the broiler. You don’t want the tops to burn before the center cooks!
- Play around with different seasonings. Tails are very versatile, so feel free to add minced garlic cloves, black pepper, or fresh parsley to the seasoning.
Are your tails on the bigger side? Adjust the baking time to account for 1 minute per ounce of lobster tail.
Essential Kitchen Tools
- Sharp Kitchen Shears – Sharp shears will make cutting that shell easy as pie
- Instant-Read Thermometer – If you’re unsure of the lobster’s doneness, check that the internal temperature has reached 140°F
- Cast-Iron Baking Dish – A cast iron pan will help protect the delicate lobster from the heat
Ideas for Serving
For a special meal, serve the lobster tails alongside parmesan risotto or creamy mashed potatoes and homemade caesar salad. Or for a classic surf-and-turf, pair them with cast iron ribeye steaks. For a decadent mac and cheese, add lobster! Tails can also be served as a fancy appetizer for your next dinner party. No matter which way you serve the tails, make sure to have a bowl of melted butter (clarified is best) on the table for dipping and some fresh lemon wedges.
Best Practices for Storage
To keep broiled lobster on hand for 3-4 days max, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. That said, it’s best to eat the lobster a day after purchase, as seafood can be a bit unpredictable and is always better eaten fresh.
FAQ
Is tail better boiled or broiled?
There’s no better way to cook lobster. It just comes down to preference. Tail can be eaten boiled, but the broiled method gives it a bit more texture.
What’s the best way to thaw frozen lobster tails?
You should always allow frozen tails to thaw completely before cooking it. To do so, place it in the refrigerator the night before you plan to cook it to air on the safe side. If you need a rapid thaw, submerge the tails in cold water for 20-30 minutes.
How do you keep tails from curling?
Keep the tails from curling by avoiding overcooking the lobster. As the moisture leaves the tail, it curls up.
How do you prevent tail from drying it out?
Placing the oven rack in the middle position will prevent the lobster from getting scorched by the broiler and drying out.
Why do people opt for tails over whole lobster?
Lobster tails have the most meat and are the easiest to eat. They require no crackers!
More Tasty Seafood Recipes
- Perfect Air Fryer Salmon (with Video) – Perfectly crispy and moist salmon
- 10 Minute Pan-Seared Butter Scallops – Butter and herb scallops
- Grilled Tilapia Recipe (15 Minutes) – Grilled, smokey whole fish
- Crispy Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp – Sweet and salty no-guilt shrimp
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lobster tails
- 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 1 tsp garlic parsley salt
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- With sharp kitchen scissors, cut through the center of the top of each lobster tail.
- Carefully pull the shell under the meat so it looks like the meat is sitting on top of the shell.
- Season the meat with garlic parsley salt, followed by little pieces of butter.
- Broil the lobster tail on high until the meat is opaque and white (about 8 minutes). Remove the tails and drizzle with lemon juice. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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