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4.90 from 29 votes

How to Cook Lobster Tails (3 Ways)

No need to make reservations at your local steakhouse! Follow this easy recipe to learn how to cook lobster tails three different ways.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2 lobster tails
Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

  • Kitchen Shears
  • Baking Sheet if baking
  • Air Fryer (click for my favorite) if air frying
  • Instant Pot (click for my favorite) if making in the instant pot

Ingredients

  • 2 lobster tails (about 3-4 ounces each)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted (⅛ stick)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated garlic
  • Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish

Instructions

Preparation

  • Use sharp kitchen shears to cut down the middle of the lobster shell. Make sure to only cut the shell, not the meat!
    a cut lobster tail on a white cutting board with kitchen shears.
  • Carefully crack the shell open, lift out the meat, and place it on top of the shell. The meat should lift easily from out of the shell but will still be connected at the end so it doesn’t fall off!
    lobster meat removed from the tail on a white cutting board with kitchen shears.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, butter, lemon juice, and garlic. Brush the garlic butter over the lobster tails. Season each lobster tail with a pinch of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
    butter in a white bowl with a whisk.

In the Oven

  • Place the lobster tails on a rimmed baking sheet and bake them at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the meat is firm and opaque (and the shells are bright red).
    two prepared lobster tails on a baking sheet.
  • Serve the lobster tails immediately topped with chopped parsley and with melted butter for dipping.
    two cooked lobster tails on a baking sheet.

In the Air Fryer

  • Place the lobster tails in your air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 7 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and firm.
    two prepared lobster tails in the basket of an air fryer.
  • Serve the lobster tails immediately topped with chopped parsley and with melted butter for dipping.
    two cooked lobster tails in the basket of an air fryer.

In the Instant Pot

  • Place the trivet insert in the bottom of your Instant Pot and pour in ½ cup of water. Place the lobster tails on the trivet and attach the lid.
    two prepared lobster tails in an instant pot.
  • Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook Manual for 2 minutes (it will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to pressurize). Then, release the pressure manually by switching the valve to the “venting” position. The lobster meat should be opaque and firm– if it is not, attach the lid and allow the lobster tails to sit in the Instant Pot for an additional 5 minutes on the “Keep Warm” setting.
    two cooked lobster tails in an instant pot.
  • Serve the lobster tails immediately topped with chopped parsley and with melted butter for dipping.

Video

Notes

  • If using frozen lobster tails, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before preparing.
  • I recommend using an instant-read meat thermometer to monitor the temperature of your lobster tails. Overcooked lobster tails will become tough and chewy. Cook them to 135-140°F for best results.
  • Lobster tails are best enjoyed on the day they are made.
Storage: Store lobster tails in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1lobster tail | Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 135mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 176IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 0.1mg