Description
Ina Garten’s succulent lobster tail recipe brings coastal elegance to home kitchens with elegant simplicity. Butter-basted and broiled, these luxurious seafood centerpieces deliver restaurant-quality results that will impress dinner guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 live lobsters (1.25 lb/0.57 kg)
- 4 tbsps (56 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 lemons, halved
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tsp grated lemon zest
- 2 tsp minced garlic (2 cloves)
- 2 tbsps (7.6 g) chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1 tbsp (2.4 g) chopped fresh basil leaves
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for even cooking and easy cleanup.
- Lobster Cooking: Boil salted water and submerge whole lobsters, cooking for 8-10 minutes until the meat transitions from translucent to opaque, then carefully extract meat from tail and claw sections, cutting into substantial chunks.
- Flavor Infusion: Whisk together a vibrant seasoning blend combining melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped parsley, basil, salt, and black pepper to create a rich, aromatic coating.
- Seasoning Application: Drizzle the herb-infused butter mixture generously over lobster pieces, ensuring complete coverage and maximum flavor absorption, then squeeze additional lemon halves to brighten the dish.
- Roasting Process: Transfer seasoned lobster to the prepared baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, watching for the butter to sizzle and caramelize while heating the meat thoroughly.
- Serving: Present the lobster immediately while hot, showcasing the delicate seafood’s natural sweetness and the complex, herbaceous butter sauce.
Notes
- Boiling Technique: Cook lobsters precisely 8-10 minutes to prevent overcooking, ensuring tender and succulent meat without rubbery texture.
- Butter Mixture Mastery: Whisk seasoning ingredients thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly, creating a harmonious blend that enhances lobster’s delicate taste.
- Temperature Precision: Maintain 425°F oven temperature for optimal caramelization and quick heating, preventing dry or tough lobster meat.
- Lemon Zest Magic: Fresh lemon zest and juice brighten the rich butter sauce, cutting through heaviness and adding vibrant, citrusy complexity to the dish.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg