Description
Boiled lobster tails with garlic lemon butter offer a simple yet sophisticated seafood dish perfect for an elegant dinner. The lobster meat is gently boiled to tender perfection, then complemented by a rich, flavorful garlic and lemon-infused butter sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and served with bright lemon wedges.
Ingredients
For the Lobster Tails
- 4 lobster tails, 5–6 ounces each
- 8 cups water
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon whole 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, 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 fully cover the lobster tails. Add salt, lemon slices, bay leaves, and whole black peppercorns to infuse flavor.
- Bring to a boil: Heat the pot over high heat until the water reaches a rolling boil.
- Cook the lobster tails: Carefully place the lobster tails into the boiling water. Lower the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil without splashing.
- Boil to perfection: Boil the lobster tails for approximately 1 minute per ounce, about 5–7 minutes for 5–6 ounce tails. Check for doneness by ensuring shells are bright red and meat is opaque and firm, ideally reaching an internal temperature of 140–145°F (60–63°C).
- Drain the lobster tails: Remove the lobster tails carefully from the pot and drain off any excess water.
- Prepare garlic lemon butter: While lobster cooks, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add minced garlic and cook gently for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Flavor the butter: Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper, heating just enough to combine flavors.
- Serve: Using kitchen shears, optionally cut the lobster shells lengthwise for easy eating. Serve the lobster tails immediately with warm garlic lemon butter and fresh lemon wedges for squeezing.
Notes
- Cooking time varies by lobster tail size; use internal temperature as the best indicator of doneness.
- Avoid overcooking to prevent tough, rubbery lobster meat.
- Cutting shells open prior to serving makes eating easier and enhances presentation.
- For a more pronounced lemon flavor, add an extra teaspoon of lemon zest to the butter.
- This dish pairs well with roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, rice, fresh salad, or crusty bread.
- Store leftover cooked lobster in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Seafood, Special Occasion
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American, Seafood
