• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Savory Tooth

Low Carb Recipes

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Recipes
  • Low Carb Diet
    • How to start
    • The Science
    • Grocery List
    • Pantry Stuffers
    • Substitutions
    • Keto Starbucks Drinks
    • Hidden Carbs
    • My Journey
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • About
    • FAQ
    • Contact

How to Cook Lobster Tails Perfectly Each Time

Published Jun 2, 2017 By Julia 9 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links.

Learn how to cook lobster tails in the oven with lemon garlic butter and a parmesan bread crumb topping.

Photo showing how to cook lobster tails by broiling in a baking dish topped with parmesan bread crumbs
If you love the idea of eating lobster but you don’t want to deal with whole lobsters, I recommend buying lobster tails instead. They’re usually less expensive and are simpler to cook. I think of them as fast gourmet; they take very little time to cook and they’re fancy enough for date nights, anniversaries, and Valentine’s Day.

This is how I make them: I brush the lobster tails with homemade lemon-garlic butter prior to broiling in the oven, and then I top them with a crispy parmesan bread crumb mixture. This au gratin topping is the best part and adds a lot of flavor to the lobster tails — it’s so good that it’ll even convince your exoskeleton-averse friend or family member to try this out.

The best way to cook lobster tails, frozen or fresh, is by brushing with butter and broiling in the oven
If your lobster tails are frozen, the first step is to defrost them. You can either thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, or you can do a quick thawing by submerging them in water for about 30 minutes. If your lobster tails are on the larger side, you may need to submerge them for a longer period of time before thawed and occasionally change out the water if it gets too cold. It’s easy to tell when the lobster tails are completely thawed — they should be fully flexible.

Watch how to butterfly a lobster tail:

After thawing, the next step is to “butterfly” each lobster tail. This is most easily explained visually, so check out this 1-minute video so that you can see how it is done:

To butterfly a lobster tail, you should use kitchen shears to cut through the top of the shell, also cutting through the meat. Pry the shell open and loosen the meat from the shell, but still keeping it attached at the tail end. Lift the meat out of the shell and place it on top of the shell, while still attached at the tail. This makes the lobster tail look great for presentation and also allows it to cook faster. Also check out these step-by-step photos.

Broiled lobster tails are served with parmesan bread crumb topping
The most common methods of cooking lobster tails include broiling in the oven or stovetop cooking:

  • Broiling (preferred): Lobster tails take about 10 minutes when broiled in the oven. I usually slather the lobster tail meat with lemon juice, melted butter, and minced garlic before broiling.
  • Boiling or steaming: This method also cooks lobster tails in about 10 minutes, and is the second best option if you don’t have access to a broiler.

For both methods, the lobster tails are cooked when the meat is no longer translucent and the shells are a bright red. If you use a thermometer, the lobster meat is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. Avoid overcooking, as the lobster meat can become tough.

Lobster tails can be served with a variety of side dishes. I recommend loaded mashed cauliflower with bacon, pressure cooked green beans, low carb biscuits, or a simple sauteed asparagus. For something heavier, you can make stuffed portobello mushrooms with cheddar cheese.

Close up view of butter poached lobster tails broiled in the oven

CLICK HERE TO Pin  THIS RECIPE
Photo showing how to cook lobster tails by broiling in a baking dish topped with parmesan bread crumbs
5 from 5 votes
Print

How to Cook Lobster Tails Perfectly Each Time

Learn how to cook lobster tails with lemon garlic butter and a parmesan bread crumb topping, cooked via broiling in the oven.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 290 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 lobster tails 5-7 ounces each

For lemon garlic butter:

  • 2 tablespoons butter melted
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice about 1 lemon
  • 1 large clove garlic minced

For bread crumb mixture:

  • 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon butter melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

For garnish:

  • fresh dill
  • lemon slices

Instructions

  1. Use scissors to snip through the top of the shell (round hard side), cutting through part of the meat and stopping before the tail. Carefully pry open the shell wide enough so that you can separate the meat from the shell, but keep it attached at the tail. Lift the meat up and over the shell.
  2. Combine all lemon garlic butter ingredients in a bowl, stirring to mix. Brush along lobster tails to coat.
  3. Set the oven rack about 8 inches from the broiler flame. Turn the broiler on at high setting.
  4. Broil the lobster tails until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
  5. While waiting for the lobster tails to cook, combine and stir together the bread crumb mixture.
  6. Remove the lobster tails from the oven and top with bread crumb mixture. Return the lobster tails to the oven to broil for another 1-2 minutes until crispy.
  7. Serve immediately and optionally garnish with fresh dill and lemon slices.

Nutrition Info

This recipe yields 3 g net carbs per serving (1 lobster tail).

Nutrition Facts Per Serving
Calories 290  
Total Fat 19g 29%
   Saturated Fat 12g 58%
   Trans Fat 0g  
Cholesterol 158mg 53%
Sodium 530mg 22%
Potassium 470mg 13%
Total Carb 3.5g 1%
   Dietary Fiber 0.5g 1%
   Sugars 0.5g  
Protein 22g  
Vitamin A 18% · Vitamin C 1% · Calcium 11% · Iron 3%

MORE SAVORY DINNER IDEAS:

Simple roast chicken baked in casserole pan with vegetables including onions and brussels sprouts
Simple Roast Chicken With Vegetables
Here’s the best way to cook ultra tender pork tenderloin with a creamy mustard sauce.
Roasted Pork Tenderloin
This chicken skillet dinner has garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a creamy buttery sauce.
Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken
This lemon chicken piccata is served with capers in a creamy butter sauce. It’s a healthy, low carb 30-minute skillet dinner.
Lemon Chicken Piccata

Filed Under: Vintage Tagged With: dill, lemon, lobster, oven, panko, paprika, parmesan cheese, summer

About Julia

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julia is a low carb recipe developer and the founder of Savory Tooth. Her recipes attract over 1 million readers every month and have been featured in The Huffington Post, Parade, Yahoo, NBC Today, Country Living, and Reader's Digest. Learn more.

Previous Post: « No-Bake Oreo Peanut Butter Bars with Chocolate Chips
Next Post: Carrot Smoothie with Pineapple, Banana, and Mango »

9
Leave a Reply

4000

Sign up for my newsletter
4000

  Notifications  
Email me when there are
Rick

I made the lobster and wow did they come out great. Thanks and I can’t wait to make them again

Reply
5 months ago
Julia

You’re welcome Rick, I’m so glad you enjoyed this dish 🙂

Reply
5 months ago
Joan

Made this tonight for the hubby and I and it was DEEELISH!!! Thank you so much! I made it to the T too.

Reply
1 year ago
Sandra

This really helps thanks

Reply
1 year ago
Georgina

It really looks delicious and reading its ingredients and procedure, its quote easy to make. I am so happy I stumbled onto this recipe. I will definitely try this next week for my birthday dinner. Thank you so much Julia for sharing this recipe.

Reply
1 year ago
Julia

You’re welcome Georgina!

Reply
1 year ago
Garry

Thank you- makes one really look good especially served with a small filet and a good bottle of Chardonnay.

Reply
1 year ago
Maureen

Made this for my Granddaughter ‘a Birthday
It was delicious

Reply
1 year ago
Julia

Wonderful, glad to hear that! 🙂

Reply
1 year ago

Primary Sidebar

Photo of JuliaHi, I'm Julia! I create recipes for delicious low carb meals. I also share resources for starting a keto diet.

Popular This Month
Keto Fried Chicken
Fried Chicken
Instant Pot Cabbage Soup
Instant Pot Cabbage Soup
Keto Fudge
Keto Fudge

Footer

Site Usage

Use of this website constitutes acceptance of its terms and conditions and privacy policy.

About

savory tooth is a food blog featuring delicious recipes for low carb meals. These recipes are easy to make, healthy, and nutritious -- perfect for a keto diet and lifestyle. Follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook.

Recent Posts

  • Garlic Mashed Turnips Feb 18, 2019
  • Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup Feb 18, 2019
  • Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Feb 4, 2019

Copyright © 2015–2019 · Savory Tooth

MENU & SEARCH
  • Recipes
  • Low Carb Diet
    • How to start
    • The Science
    • Grocery List
    • Pantry Stuffers
    • Substitutions
    • Keto Starbucks Drinks
    • Hidden Carbs
    • My Journey
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • About
    • FAQ
    • Contact