Description
Boiled lobster tails with garlic lemon butter offer a simple yet elegant way to enjoy tender, juicy lobster at home. The lobster tails are gently boiled to perfection and paired with a rich, flavorful butter sauce infused with garlic, fresh lemon juice and zest, and parsley, making for a classic seafood dish that’s perfect for special occasions or a luxurious dinner.
Ingredients
For the Lobster
- 4 lobster tails, about 5–6 ounces each
- 8 cups water
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
For the Garlic Lemon Butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Boiling Water: Fill a large pot with enough water to completely cover the lobster tails. Add salt, lemon slices, bay leaves, and black peppercorns to the water for flavor.
- Boil the Water: Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat to ensure it’s hot enough to cook the lobster tails evenly.
- Add the Lobster Tails: Carefully place the lobster tails into the boiling water. Reduce the heat slightly to maintain a steady boil without splashing.
- Cook the Lobster: Boil the lobster tails for about 1 minute per ounce — approximately 5 to 7 minutes for 5-6 ounce tails. The shells should turn bright red, and the meat should be opaque and firm. Check that the internal temperature reaches 140–145°F (60–63°C).
- Drain the Lobster Tails: Use tongs to remove the lobster tails from the pot and let them drain for a minute to remove excess water.
- Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook gently for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to brown the garlic to keep the flavor delicate.
- Add Flavorings to Butter: Stir in the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, salt, and black pepper into the garlic butter to create a bright, zesty sauce.
- Prepare Lobster for Serving: Optionally, use kitchen shears to carefully cut the lobster shells lengthwise for easier eating and a nicer presentation.
- Serve: Place the lobster tails on serving plates, spoon the garlic lemon butter generously over them, and serve with fresh lemon wedges on the side for an added citrus kick.
Notes
- Cooking time varies with lobster tail size; always check internal temperature for doneness.
- Avoid overcooking to prevent tough, rubbery lobster meat.
- Cutting the shell lengthwise before serving makes eating easier and enhances presentation.
- Garlic lemon butter sauce can be made ahead of time and gently reheated before serving.
- Complement the dish with sides like roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, rice, or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Seafood, Special Occasion
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American, Seafood