Buttery Sautéed Lobster Tail Recipe

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butter lobster tails served with mac and cheese
Photo by Will licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

This buttered sautéed lobster tails recipe is perfect for special parties or whenever you want something elegant tasting. This sophisticated dish showcases the succulent meat of lobster tails cooked in a creamy and warm butter sauce. The combination of tender lobster, herbs, and rich butter creates a masterpiece with everyone returning for seconds. 

How to Cook Lobster Tails

If you’re eager to learn how to cook lobster tails, you’re in for a treat. Lobster tails are one of those delectable seafood options that can be prepared even by beginners using various methods. In this guide, we’ll walk you through cooking sauteed lobster tails to perfection since this is one of the easiest and quickest ways to enjoy your lobster tails.

Should You Use Fresh or Frozen Lobster Tails?

Both fresh lobster and frozen lobster options can yield delicious results. Fresh lobster tails generally have a slightly sweeter flavor and are more tender. Frozen lobster tails, on the other hand, are a convenient alternative that enables anyone to enjoy this delicacy even if they don’t have easy access to freshly caught seafood. As long as you thaw the frozen lobster tails properly before cooking, there should be very little difference in the final product.

How Do You Open a Lobster Tail?

Here’s a simple yet foolproof method for cutting open a lobster tail:

  1. Place the lobster tail on a cutting board with the soft side facing up.
  2. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, cut through the shell lengthwise down the center of the tail.
  3. Gently lift the shell to expose the meat while keeping it attached at the base. Be careful not to detach the shell completely.

How to Clean the Lobster

Before cooking, it’s essential to clean the lobster tails properly. Here’s how:

  1. Rinse the lobster tails under cold water to remove any debris or impurities.
  2. Pat them dry with a paper towel.

Tools You May Need

To cook lobster tails, you’ll need a few kitchen tools:

  • Kitchen shears or a sharp knife for opening the shells.
  • Tongs for handling the lobster tails while cooking.
  • A large pot or skillet for boiling, grilling, or sautéing.

Ingredients

  • Lobster tails: 2 fresh or frozen (depending on availability)
  • Butter, 4 tablespoons (divided)
  • Garlic, 3 cloves, minced or finely chopped
  • Fresh herbs. 2 tablespoons, chopped (such as parsley, thyme, or dill)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Lemon wedges: for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your pan or skillet over medium heat.
  2. Combine half of the melted butter with the minced garlic and chopped fresh herbs in a small bowl. Set aside the remaining melted butter for basting.
  3. Add half the melted butter sauce. Place the lobster tails in the skillet, meat side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the tails and cook for 2-3 minutes more, basting with the remaining butter sauce.
  4. Once cooked, remove the lobster tails from the heat and let them rest for a few minutes before serving with your favorite side dishes.

Final Words

Cooking sauteed lobster tails is easy, so don’t let its classy and elegant reputation discourage you from trying to cook this meal. Its savory flavors will make it worth the cooking effort. So gather your ingredients, follow the instructions above, and get ready to wow your guests with buttered sautéed lobster tails. Enjoy!

butter lobster tails served with mac and cheese

Buttery Sautéed Lobster Tail

Course Main Course

Ingredients
  

  • 2 fresh or frozen lobster tails
  • 4 tbsp butter, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh herbs, chopped (such as parsley, thyme, or dill)
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • lemon wedges: for serving (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your pan or skillet over medium heat.
  • Combine half of the melted butter with the minced garlic and chopped fresh herbs in a small bowl. Set aside the remaining melted butter for basting.
  • Add half the melted butter sauce. Place the lobster tails in the skillet, meat side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the tails and cook for 2-3 minutes more, basting with the remaining butter sauce.
  • Once cooked, remove the lobster tails from the heat and let them rest for a few minutes before serving with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

*Photo by Will licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0