Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe

Luxurious Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe for Special Nights

Crafting succulent creamy garlic butter lobster tails can elevate your culinary skills to restaurant-quality heights.

Seafood enthusiasts know this dish screams luxury without complicated techniques.

Professional chefs appreciate how simple ingredients create magnificent results.

Maine lobsters bring unparalleled richness when treated with delicate care.

Melted butter infused with fresh garlic transforms ordinary protein into something extraordinary.

Restaurants charge premium prices for what you can now master in your kitchen.

Each tender bite promises an incredible seafood experience that will impress everyone around your dining table.

Why Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Feel Fancy

  • Unleash Gourmet Luxury: Transform your home kitchen into a high-end restaurant with this restaurant-quality lobster tail recipe that feels incredibly sophisticated.
  • Master Impressive Cooking Techniques: Learn professional culinary skills like butterflying seafood and creating compound butter, boosting your cooking confidence with each preparation.
  • Quick Elegant Dinner Solution: Prepare a stunning main course in just a few simple steps, perfect for special occasions or when you want to surprise dinner guests with minimal kitchen time.
  • Adaptable Flavor Customization: Easily adjust the garlic butter sauce by adding herbs, changing spice levels, or incorporating different seasonings to match your personal taste preferences.

What You’ll Need For Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails

Main Protein:
  • Lobster Tails: Fresh seafood that serves as the star of this elegant dish.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic Cloves: Provide a robust and aromatic base for the sauce.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the lobster.
  • Paprika: Adds a subtle warmth and attractive color to the dish.
  • Lemon Juice: Offers a bright, citrusy note that complements the rich seafood.
  • Fresh Parsley: Provides a fresh, green garnish with a light herbal finish.
Creamy Sauce Components:
  • Butter, Cream Cheese: Create a rich and smooth base for the luxurious sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds silky texture and depth to the garlic butter mixture.

How To Cook Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails

Step 1: Butterfly Lobster Shells

Use kitchen shears to carefully cut down the center of the lobster tail shell’s back. Gently separate the meat from the shell while keeping it attached at the base, creating a beautiful presentation.

Step 2: Create Garlic Butter Magic

In a mixing bowl, combine:
  • Softened butter
  • Minced garlic cloves

Whisk together until fully incorporated and fragrant.

Step 3: Craft Creamy Sauce

Blend the garlic butter with:
  • Heavy cream
  • Cream cheese
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Lemon juice

Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and velvety.

Step 4: Prepare for Baking

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for even cooking.

Step 5: Season and Dress Lobster

Carefully spread the butterflied lobster tails open. Generously brush the entire surface with the creamy garlic butter sauce. Sprinkle paprika over the tails for extra flavor and beautiful color.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Arrange lobster tails on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch each other. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the meat turns opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

Step 7: Rest and Finish

Remove lobster tails from the oven. Let them rest for 2-3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.

Step 8: Serve with Flair

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley just before serving. The bright herb adds a final touch of freshness to this elegant dish.

Tips To Nail Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails

  • Butterfly with Care: Gently separate lobster meat from shell to maintain its delicate structure and prevent tearing during preparation.
  • Butter Blend Brilliance: Soften butter at room temperature for easier mixing and more even distribution of garlic and herbs throughout the sauce.
  • Temperature Precision: Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure lobster reaches exact 140-145°F for perfect doneness without overcooking.
  • Cream Sauce Smoothness: Whisk cream and cream cheese thoroughly to eliminate lumps and create a silky, uniform sauce that coats the lobster evenly.
  • Garnish for Freshness: Sprinkle chopped parsley just before serving to add bright color and a light, herbaceous flavor that complements the rich seafood.

Fresh Ideas For Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails

  • Mediterranean Fusion: Swap paprika with za'atar spice blend, add crumbled feta cheese, and drizzle with olive oil before baking for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
  • Cajun Spice Kick: Replace black pepper with Cajun seasoning, mix crushed red pepper flakes into garlic butter, and sprinkle andouille sausage crumbles on top for a New Orleans-style approach.
  • Asian-Inspired Glaze: Create a sauce using soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil instead of cream, top with toasted sesame seeds and green onions for a vibrant East Asian transformation.

Tasty Pairings With Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails

  • Pair Crisp Chardonnay: Buttery white wine complements the creamy garlic sauce, echoing the rich seafood flavors with its smooth oak undertones and balanced acidity.
  • Serve Roasted Asparagus: Elegant green vegetable provides a light, earthy contrast to the decadent lobster, adding nutritional balance and textural variety to the plate.
  • Match Herbed Risotto: Creamy Italian rice dish creates a luxurious base that absorbs the garlic butter sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience with its delicate herb notes.
  • Select Crusty Sourdough Bread: Rustic, tangy bread allows diners to soak up every drop of the luscious garlic butter sauce, transforming the meal into a complete sensory indulgence.

Keep Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Juicy And Safe

  • Transfer leftover lobster tails to an airtight container, ensuring they are completely cooled before sealing. Store in the refrigerator for 1-2 days maximum to maintain optimal freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Wrap individual lobster tails tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
  • Gently reheat refrigerated lobster tails in a preheated oven at 275°F for 10-12 minutes, covering with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Avoid microwave reheating to preserve the delicate texture and prevent rubbery consistency.

FAQs For Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails

  • How do I know if the lobster tails are cooked properly?

Look for opaque white meat and an internal temperature of 140-145°F. The meat should be firm and slightly springy when touched, without any translucent or raw-looking areas.

  • Can I use frozen lobster tails for this recipe?

Yes, but thaw them completely in the refrigerator overnight before preparing. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before butterflying and cooking.

  • What if I don't have cream cheese for the sauce?

You can substitute with mascarpone or skip it entirely. The sauce will still be creamy and delicious with the heavy cream and garlic butter mixture.

  • Is it difficult to butterfly lobster tails?

Not really.

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Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe

Creamy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Recipe


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4.8 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Succulent lobster tails bathed in a silky garlic butter sauce elevate seafood indulgence to new heights. Culinary magic unfolds as delicate flavors mingle, promising a luxurious dining experience you’ll savor with pure delight.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Seafood Ingredients:

  • 4 lobster tails
  • 1/2 lb fresh lobster meat

Butter and Dairy:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese

Seasoning and Herbs:

  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp paprika

Instructions

  1. Butterfly the lobster tails carefully by cutting down the center of the shell’s back using kitchen shears, gently separating the meat from the shell while keeping it attached at the base.
  2. Preheat the oven to 425°F, preparing a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for even cooking.
  3. Mince garlic cloves finely and combine with softened butter, creating a fragrant garlic compound butter mixture.
  4. Whisk heavy cream, cream cheese, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice into the garlic butter, creating a smooth, rich sauce.
  5. Carefully spread the butterflied lobster tails open, brushing the entire surface generously with the creamy garlic butter mixture.
  6. Sprinkle paprika over the prepared lobster tails for added depth of flavor and visual appeal.
  7. Place the prepared lobster tails on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the meat turns opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley just before serving, adding a bright, fresh finish to the luxurious dish.

Notes

  • Precise shell cutting prevents tearing the delicate lobster meat during butterflying process.
  • Use room temperature butter for smoother, more evenly distributed compound butter mixture.
  • Select fresh, high-quality lobster tails for best texture and flavor results.
  • For low-carb version, replace cream cheese with additional heavy cream or Greek yogurt to maintain creamy consistency.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 600
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 50 g
  • Saturated Fat: 30 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 180 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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