Description
Butter Poached Lobster Tails offer a luxurious and tender seafood dish cooked gently in a rich, creamy butter sauce infused with garlic, lemon, and a hint of paprika. This elegant recipe highlights the sweet flavor of lobster, enhanced by fresh herbs and served with lemon wedges for a perfect balance.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 4 lobster tails (4 to 6 ounces each)
Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Butter Poaching Liquid
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives or parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Lobster Tails: Using kitchen shears, carefully cut down the center of the top shell of each lobster tail to expose the meat. Gently lift the meat and rest it on top of the shell while keeping the end attached, allowing it to cook evenly. Season each lobster tail lightly with salt and pepper.
- Make Poaching Liquid: In a wide skillet, combine the unsalted butter, water, lemon juice, smashed garlic cloves, and paprika if using. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat until the butter fully melts and creates a smooth, creamy liquid, ensuring it does not boil to maintain tenderness in the lobster.
- Poach Lobster: Reduce the heat to low and add the prepared lobster tails to the skillet. Spoon the warm butter mixture over the lobster meat to keep it moist. Cook gently for 8 to 10 minutes, turning the tails once halfway through, until the lobster meat is opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the lobster tails from the skillet and let them rest for 2 minutes. Spoon additional warm butter sauce over the lobster, sprinkle with fresh chopped herbs, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Keep the butter below a simmer to ensure the lobster remains tender and does not toughen.
- For an extra rich and silky sauce, whisk in 1 tablespoon of cold butter just before serving.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, risotto, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful butter sauce.
