Easy Baked Lobster Tail Recipe - The Anthony Kitchen (2024)

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If the thought of cooking lobster intimidates you, this is far and away the recipe to start with. Meet our simple, no-fuss route to perfectly Baked Lobster Tails in just 25 minutes. The meat comes out perfectly cooked, juicy, sweet, and delicate thanks to our butter garlic sauce that practically makes itself in the oven. No extra work here!

Easy Baked Lobster Tail Recipe - The Anthony Kitchen (1)

You won't have to worry about all that shell-intact fuss, and you're welcome. Lobster meat is fancy enough all on its own, even without the bright red shell presentation. So, unless you've come equipped with some serious lobster tail removal skills and you're dying to use them, this recipe will be a breath of fresh air for you!

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Like our Salmon with Dill Sauce or Cast Iron Filet Mignon, this is definitely a dish to impress! Whether it's date night, a gourmet treat for your family (sans the fuss!), or something special for your next dinner party, you've got everything you need right here and we have full faith in you!

WHICH LOBSTER TO BUY?

Cold-water lobster is preferred over warm-water lobster, as it has an extra tender and more buttery texture. Cold water lobster might be identified at your grocery store as Maine, Atlantic, Canadian, or North American lobster.

Easy Baked Lobster Tail Recipe - The Anthony Kitchen (3)

For this Baked Lobster Tail recipe, you can use previously frozen or fresh lobster. However, if you are using frozen lobster, you will want to be sure it is fully thawed before cooking.

You can thaw frozen lobster tails by placing them in the refrigerator about 24 hours before it is time to cook, or allowing cold water to run over the lobster tails until thawed.

Try this recipe with our easy Bearnaise Sauce for some extra decadence.

HOW TO REMOVE LOBSTER TAILS FROM THE SHELL

The trickiest part about making Baked Lobster Tails is getting to the lobster tail! But don't let that stop you. After your first tail is conquered, you'll pretty much be a pro.

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For this task, you will most definitely want to have a pair of kitchen shears on hand. Use the kitchen shears to cut lengthwise through the top of the shell.

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Once you have cut all the way down to the tip of the tail, grasp each side of the tail with your hands and gently pull outward to crack the outer shell.

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From there, you will gently wiggle to loosen the lobster meat from the shell and remove it completely.

HOW TO MAKE BAKED LOBSTER TAIL

To kick off your Baked Lobster Tail recipe, preheat your oven to 425°F and place the lobster tails in a small buttered au gratin dish or an 8 x 8" baking dish.

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Next, we're going to whip up our garlic lemon butter mixture! For this mix, you will need room temperature, unsalted butter, fresh garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and lemon zest. You will combine all of these ingredients in a small bowl, using a fork to mix until everything looks evenly distributed.

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Drop scant tablespoon-sized mounds of the butter all across the tops of the lobster tails.

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Transfer the lobster tails to bake in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the lobster is fully cooked, the meat is opaque and the internal temperature registers at 140°F.

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Baste the lobster tails with the melted butter from the bottom of the dish and sprinkle with a garnish of either fresh parsley or tarragon.

Tarragon is a traditional flavor that pairs very well with lobster, but if you are not keen on the flavor of licorice, you might find parsley is better suited for your pallet.

It is officially time to make that butter concoction from earlier go to work for you! Remove your lobster from the baking dish, transfer it to either a serving platter or plates, and add a squeeze of lemon juice over the top, if desired. Then, place the fine mesh sieve over a small bowl and strain the melted butter and garlic from the baking dish over the sieve.

Next time you're in the mood for seafood, try our Baked Fish.

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Place the butter alongside your lobster tails and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

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3.91 from 11 votes

Easy Baked Lobster Tail Recipe - The Anthony Kitchen (19)

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Baked Lobster Tails

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

25 mins

Baked Lobster Tail can sound like an intimidating dish, but with this easy step-by-step guide you'll be serving it up in no time!

Course:Dinner

Cuisine:American

Keyword:Baked Lobster, Baked Lobster Tail

Servings: 4

Calories: 210 kcal

Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • ½cuproom temperature unsalted butter
  • 4(4-5 ounce)lobster tails (thawed if previously frozen)
  • 2cloves minced garlic
  • 1teaspoonKosher salt
  • ¼teaspoonblack pepper
  • Zest of a lemon, plus lemon wedges for serving
  • 2teaspoonsfresh chopped tarragon or parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and have ready a buttered, small au gratin dish or an 8x8" baking dish.

  2. Using kitchen shears, cut lengthwise through the top of the shell. Delicately pull the shell away from the meat and remove the tail. Transfer the lobster tails to the prepared baking dish and set aside.

  3. Add the butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon zest to a small bowl and use a fork to mix well until combined.

  4. Drop scant tablespoon-sized mounds of the butter across the lobster tails and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the lobster registers 140°F.

  5. Remove the lobster from the oven and baste the tails with the melted butter. Sprinkle with chopped tarragon or parsley over the tops of the tails.

  6. If you'd like to serve dipping butter alongside your lobster, plate the lobster tails, and place a small sieve over a bowl. Pour the butter from the baking dish over the sieve and discard the sieve contents. Serve the strained butter alongside your lobster tails and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts

Baked Lobster Tails

Amount Per Serving

Calories 210Calories from Fat 207

% Daily Value*

Fat 23g35%

Saturated Fat 15g94%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Cholesterol 62mg21%

Sodium 590mg26%

Potassium 47mg1%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Fiber 0.1g0%

Sugar 0.03g0%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 752IU15%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 23mg2%

Iron 0.4mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Easy Baked Lobster Tail Recipe - The Anthony Kitchen (20)

Source | Americas Test Kitchen, LobsterAnywhere.com

Easy Baked Lobster Tail Recipe - The Anthony Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What temperature should lobster tails be baked at? ›

How Long To Bake Lobster Tails. Lobster tails typically bake in 8 to 30 minutes depending on the size. They should be baked at 350 degrees F until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.

Is it better to boil or bake lobster tails? ›

Cooking lobster tails is a fairly simple process. When you buy lobster tails, you can steam them, boil them, grill them, bake them, broil them or even smoke them. If you aren't sure which method to use, we strongly recommend boiling your lobster tails because it's your best bet to avoid the tails sticking to the shell.

How long do you keep lobster tails in the oven? ›

You'll know the lobster tails are perfectly baked when they're bright red and the meat is opaque, which should take about 12 to 15 minutes in an oven preheated to 400 degrees F. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat should read at least 140 to 145 degrees F (60 to 63 degrees C).

Do you bake lobster tails shell up or down? ›

Place the tails flesh-side up in a single layer in the baking dish. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake until the flesh is firm when pressed, cooked through, and the internal temperature registers 135 to 140ºF, 20 to 27 minutes.

What is the most flavorful way to cook lobster tails? ›

Place the lobster tails on a preheated grill over medium-high heat and cook for 5 minutes per side or until they turn opaque and start to brown. Finally, serve with fresh lemon or your favorite sauce. Grilling lobster tails is a fantastic and summer-friendly way to enjoy a classic seafood dish in your backyard.

What is the most tender way to cook lobster tail? ›

Simply place lobster tails into simmering water and poach for about 5-7 minutes until the meat is opaque and firm. This cooking method rewards a very tender and savory lobster tail. We bet you're craving some sweet, succulent lobster right about now.

How do you cook lobster tails without drying them out? ›

**Steaming**: Steaming lobster meat is one of the best methods to keep it moist and tender. Simply place the lobster tails or whole lobsters in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 8-10 minutes per pound until the meat is opaque and firm but still juicy.

How long do you cook a 4 oz lobster tail? ›

How Long to Cook Lobster Tail. The cooking time for lobster tails varies depending on the method and the size of the tails. As a general guideline, for boiling, baking, and broiling, allow 1-2 minutes of cooking time per ounce of tail meat. Steaming may require slightly longer, typically 3-4 minutes per ounce.

What is the best way to cook 4 oz lobster tails? ›

Cooking Method #1: Boiling

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the lobster tails and boil uncovered until opaque all the way through and the internal temperature registers 135 to 140ºF, 6 to 8 minutes. Using tongs, remove the tails from the water.

How long does it take to cook lobster tail at 350 degrees? ›

Place prepared lobster tails on a baking sheet, brush each lobster tail with melted butter, and bake approximately 15 minutes or until an instant-read meat thermometer register and internal temperature of 140 to 145 degrees F. (do not overcook, as the lobster will become tough and rubbery).

How do you cook frozen lobster tails without thawing them? ›

Boil the tails for 5 minutes per 1 lb (16 oz). Variation: If you have no time to defrost the tails, simply drop the frozen tails into a pot of boiling water. Simmer the tails for 15 minutes or until they turn bright red.

How long to bake frozen lobster tails at 400? ›

Bake the lobster for about 15 minutes per four ounces of lobster tail. As the lobster is baking, check it frequently to assess its color. Once the lobster meat turns white and opaque, remove from heat right away so it doesn't overcook. If the meat is still translucent, it isn't fully cooked.

How long to cook lobster tails at 250 degrees? ›

Once your smoker is preheated, the smoking process is simple. Just place your lobster tails with the meat side facing up directly on the grates of your smoker. They will take about 45 minutes to cook at 250°F.

How to cook 4 oz lobster tails? ›

Place lobsters in prepared pan. Brush with butter brush-on sauce. Bake until meat is opaque and lightly browned (145 degrees), allowing 4 to 6 minutes for 4-oz. lobsters and 8 to 10 minutes for 8-oz.

How do you not overcook lobster tails? ›

Cover the pot with the lobster tails in boiling water with a lid. Keeping the pot covered is essential, as this will help steam the lobster tails evenly and thoroughly. Let the lobster tails steam for 8-10 minutes or until they turn bright red. Be careful not to overcook them, making them tough and rubbery.

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