Lobster Tail

You don’t have to swim the Atlantic Ocean or spend a fortune at the local seafood restaurant to enjoy succulent lobster tails. Prepare this top restaurant-quality lobster tail recipe at home tonight! Whether you're a seafood connoisseur or just want

Prep:
10
minutes
Cook:
10
minutes
TOtal:
20
minutes

Ingredients

For Lobster Tails

  • Lobster Tails
  • Salt and pepper (to season lobster tails)

For herb butter

  • Butter
  • Garlic Cloves (minced)
  • Paprika
  • Thyme
  • Rosemary
  • Parsley 

Smoky Chipotle Butter

  • 1 stick butter, softened at room temperature
  • 2 chipotle peppers, diced
  • 2 tbsp sauce from peppers
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped

Instructions

How to cut lobster tail (2 ways)

If you've never prepared lobster before, it can seem like a daunting task. The good news is that it's actually very easy! All you need to do is follow these steps:

Method 1: Butterflying Method 

  1. Place the lobster tails on your cutting board or countertop, shell-side up, with the tail pointed away from you. Take kitchen shears and cut down the center of the shell all the way to the tail, but do not cut the tail.
  2. Using your thumbs and fingers, open the shell. The first step should be to gently split it apart and then open it up until the shell separates from the meat on both sides. Remove any dark line on the tail (this is the intestinal tract) with your hands. Even though it is safe to consume, it does not look very appealing.
  3. Pull the lobster tail meat upwards to separate it from the bottom shell. Once the lobster meat is on top of the shell, gently press the shell together underneath the meat. 
  4. Bake the butterflied lobster tail flesh side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Method 2: My favorite method-Splitting Lobster Tails

Begin by cutting the top of the lobster's shell with scissors. Cut straight through the middle of the tail, then flip it over and repeat the process on the other side. The next step is to cut the lobster in half using a sharp knife. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper, and then spread garlic-herbed butter.

Different Ways of Cooking Lobster Tails:

Lobster tails are a great way to add some flair to your cooking. They can be prepared in many different ways, and each method will give you a slightly different taste and texture. Here are some of the most popular ways that people cook lobster tail:

  • Broiled: 

It is a very simple and quick method for preparing lobster tails. It is simply a matter of seasoning with salt and pepper, brushing on some herb butter, and broiling at high temperatures for 8-10 minutes. It will result in deliciously tender lobster tails every time!

  • Baked: 

Unlike broiling, baked lobster tails are prepared under medium heat (350 degrees Fahrenheit) and take a little longer (12-15 minutes) to prepare, depending on their size.

  • Boiling

Boiling is an easy way to prepare lobster tails if you don't have much experience cooking them or if you need something fast and simple. Place the lobster tails in a large pot of boiling water and let them soak and boil for a few minutes. However, be careful not to overcook them. In spite of this, lobster may not taste quite as good as when it is cooked in another way (broiling/grilling). Due to the lack of buttery herb taste, it lacks the flavor associated with other cooking methods.

  • Grilling

Grilling lobster tails is a great way to enjoy this popular seafood without paying a fortune. When grilling lobster tails, it's essential to ensure the grill is hot so the meat will cook quickly and evenly. Once your grill is hot, let the tails grill for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until cooked through.

Smoky Chipotle Butter

It combines the bold flavors of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with butter, smoked paprika, and fresh cilantro for a truly indulgent dish. This is a quick and easy way to add smokiness and flavor to your broiled, grilled, or baked lobster tail. 

Buttery, smoky, and just a little spicy, this chipotle butter perfectly complements your favorite lobster tail recipe. It's easy to make and only requires five ingredients, so that you can enjoy it with any of your favorite seafood dishes.

Ingredients

  • 1 stick butter, softened at room temperature
  • 2 chipotle peppers, diced
  • 2 tbsp sauce from peppers
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped

Step 1: Place butter in a small bowl at room temperature.

Step 2: Combine the remaining ingredients with softened butter.

Step 3: Pour the chipotle butter mixture onto the parchment paper and roll it into a log.

Step 4: Twist the paper at each end to seal it and place it in the refrigerator.