This Broiled Lobster Tail recipe is rich, tender, and juicy, and comes out perfect every time. This easy, foolproof way to cook lobster in less than 10 minutes is sure to impress your family or guests. This special occasion dinner gives you the best restaurant-quality meal at home.
Love lobster recipes? Also, try my Steamed Lobster Tail recipe.
Broiled Lobster Tail recipe
This Broiled Lobster Tail recipe makes cooking this fancy meal at home so simple. You'll be surprised at how easy this all comes together and how following these step-by-step instructions to cook lobster can give you the perfect tender, rich, and buttery tail every time. Broiling is the simplest and fastest way to make them, because you just pop them in the oven or broiler with no fuss or mess on the stove-top.
Broiled Lobster Tails are my family's favorite special occasion meal, and these gorgeous tails make an appearance at our table a few times a year, including Christmas Eve and Valentine's Day. The recipe is made with just the lobster, melted butter, and a touch of smoked paprika.
If you need a meal that's sure to WOW someone, this is it. Whether this is part of a surf and turf with steaks, or by itself, serve it with Air Fryer Crispy Potatoes and Garlic Parmesan Asparagus. It can be our little secret how simple it actually is. No one needs to know that the entire meal takes less than 20 minutes, with one dish, and requires a handful of ingredients to make.
Broiled Lobster Tails from Running in a Skirt Share on XWhy You'll Love this Broiled Lobster Tail recipe...
- This Broiled Lobster Tail recipe is the fastest way to get tasty lobster on your table.
- The butterflied lobster gives you fancy meal vibes, perfect for a special occasion.
- This entire recipe is only ingredients and comes together in just minutes. Cooking lobster tails could not be easier.
- The smoked paprika gives it a delightful smoky taste.
- This recipe is surprisingly healthy, with lobster being low in calories and high in protein.
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Broiled Lobster Tail recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Lobster Tails: Lobster tails are so easy to prepare and available in many local grocery stores. Look for Maine lobster tails, cold water lobster, in the seafood counter at the store or even in the frozen seafood section. You can also use warm water lobster tails. Most lobster tails come frozen. If you have frozen tails, you will need to thaw them completely before cooking them. The best way to thaw them is overnight in the fridge. If you are short on time, you can place frozen lobster tails in a resealable bag and submerge them in cold water until thawed.
- Melted Butter: Melted or drawn butter is perfect for seasoning the lobster tails before broiling them. You'll need some to brush on top AND to serve on the side.
- Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika is that gorgeous red seasoning on top of the broiled lobster tail. It gives the lobster a subtle smoky flavor and a nice red color. If you don't like that, you can substitute your favorite seafood seasoning, like Old Bay, or use Blackening Seasoning.
- Lemon: Lemon juice and plenty of lemon wedges is also a great addition.
- Salt and Black Pepper to Taste
- Garnish: Fresh Parsley and lemons
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make this Broiled Lobster Tail recipe, but the full, detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
Step One: Butterfly the Lobster
- To start, you'll need sharp kitchen shears. Cut a straight line down the lobster's tail until just before the tail fin. Make sure to leave the end part of the tail intact. You can also use a sharp knife.
- Carefully pull open the shell.
- Lift the lobster tail meat out of the shell, leaving the tail attached, and place it on top of the shell.
- Pro Tip: You might need a spoon to detach the meat from the shell. It takes a bit of muscle to get this, but it's not as hard as it looks! This is how you butterfly lobster tails before cooking them.
Step Two: Broil the Lobster
- Preheat your oven to broil.
- Place the butterflied lobster tails on a baking sheet.
- Brush the lobster tails with the butter.
- Sprinkle with the paprika or seafood seasoning and salt.
- Put the lobster tails on the top oven rack. Broil the lobster tails for 5-10 minutes until opaque. The lobster tails need about 6 minutes for 4-ounce tails, and up to 8 for 6-ounce tails, but oven temperatures can vary. The lobster is done when the tail is firm and the shell turns bright red. If it's still grey, it's not done. You can quickly burn when the oven is on broil, so watch it carefully. Do not overcook it or it will become chewy, gummy, and gross. If you have a meat thermometer, they are technically done at an internal temperature of 140 degrees.
- Serve hot with fresh lemon wedges and melted butter.
Broiled Lobster Tail Variations
I love this Broiled Lobster Tail recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Garlic Butter: Add Garlic to your butter to make a garlic butter sauce and brush it on top after cooking.
- Add Spices: You can add spices on top like Old Bay Seasoning, Cajun Seasoning, or Blackening Seasoning.
- Leave in Shell: You can also skip the butterflying step and steam the tails in the shell. It's not as pretty, but it still works and takes that step out.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Leftovers would be great in a lobster roll!
Freezing
You can freeze cooked lobster by putting it in a freezer-safe bag and storing it for up to three months.
What is broiled lobster tail?
A broiled lobster tail is good at super high heat, or the broil setting on the oven. The high heat is the quickest way to cook the lobster. It's also the least messy way because you don't have to use the stove top.
Are lobster tails better baked or boiled?
I think lobster tails are good both ways! This is my favorite way to cook them because it's fast and doesn't make a mess on the stove. If you want to boil or steam them, though, follow my recipe for Steamed Lobster Tails.
Broiled Lobster Tail
I just love this recipe for Broiled Lobster Tail! This is the perfect special occasion meal for everything from Valentine's Day, Christmas, New Year's, or more. If you are trying to impress a date, make this too for your date nights. This is the best broiled lobster tail recipe that will turn out great every time.
I hope you will see how simple it is and give it a try at home.
Serve it With:
- Air Fryer Broccolini
- Lemon Caper Pasta
- Oven Roasted Green Beans with Garlic
- Cottage Cheese Alfredo
- Roasted Broccoli and Carrots
- Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Mediterranean Roast Vegetables
- Asparagus and Tomato Salad with Feta
- Garlic Parmesan Asparagus
- Roasted Herb and Garlic Baby Red Potatoes
More Easy Seafood Recipes to Try:
- Steamed Lobster Tail
- Healthy Crab Cakes
- Healthy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
- Crab-Stuffed Shrimp
- Cajun Shrimp and Rice
- Blackened Shrimp
- Crab Pasta Salad
- Seared Scallops with Mango Salsa
- Broiled Bay Scallops
If you make this Broiled Lobster Tail, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!

Broiled Lobster Tail
Ingredients
- 4 6-lobster tails
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika or seafood seasoning
- salt
- For serving: fresh lemon & melted butter
Instructions
Butterfly the Lobster Tail:
- To prepare the lobster tails, Butterfly or cut the tail with kitchen shears in a straight line down the tail fin as show in the first lobster tail.
- Second, pull the lobster meat out of the shell, leaving it attached at the tail, and set the tail on top of the shell.
Broil the Lobster Tail:
- Preheat your oven to broil.
- Place the butterflied lobster tails on the a baking sheet.
- Brush the lobster tails with the butter.
- Sprinkle with the paprika or seafood seasoning and salt.
- Broil the lobster tails for 5-10 minutes until opaque. The lobster is done when the tail is firm and the shell turns bright red.
- Serve hot with fresh lemon wedges and melted butter.
Notes
Storage & Leftovers
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Leftovers would be great in a lobster roll!Freezing
You can freeze cooked lobster by putting it in a freezer-safe bag and storing it for up to three months.Nutrition
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