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By Elena
Jun 05, 2024
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Steamed Lobster Tails Recipe with Garlic Butter– Steaming the lobster tails preserves their natural sweetness and avoids needing heavy or overly complicated sauces. The result is a fresh and light dish that lets the lobster shine! Ready in 20 minutes.
You’ll also love my langostino lobster rolls, lobster bisque, and butterflied shrimp.
Best Steamed Lobster Tails
Lobster tails are a bit of a splurge for a special occasion. There are different ways to cook lobster tails, and I think this is by far the easiest cooking process that delivers the best results!
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is quick and easy to prepare. The steaming method ensures that the lobster tails cook evenly and retain natural flavors and juices.
- Deliciously Tender Lobster: Steaming the lobster tails keeps the meat tender and succulent. It’s a gentle cooking method that avoids drying the delicate lobster meat.
- Flavorful Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce: The garlic lemon butter sauce adds flavor to the lobster. The combination of garlic, butter, and lemon creates a rich and savory sauce that enhances the lobster’s sweetness.
- Elegant Presentation: Butterfly-cut lobster tails cook evenly and are elegantly presented on the plate. This visually appealing dish is perfect for special occasions or a fancy dinner at home.
Table of Contents
- Best Steamed Lobster Tails
- Simple Ingredients
- How to Steam Lobster Tails (step-by-step instructions)
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storage
- Top tips
- FAQs
- What to Serve with Steamed Lobster Tails Recipe
- How to Cook Steamed Lobster Tails Recipe
Simple Ingredients
These ingredients work together to create a simple yet elegant dish, highlighting lobster’s natural sweetness with garlic lemon butter’s richness.
- Lobster Tails: Use fresh or thawed lobster tails. The size can vary, but ensure they are of good quality.
- Butter: melted butter serves as the base for the rich and flavorful garlic lemon butter sauce.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves, minced. Garlic adds a robust and aromatic flavor to the butter sauce.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon is essential for both the steaming process and the butter sauce. It provides a bright and citrusy flavor that complements the lobster.
- Salt and Pepper: Season both the lobster tails and the garlic lemon butter sauce. Adjust according to your taste preferences.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley is used as a garnish. It adds a pop of color and a hint of freshness to the dish.
- Lemon Wedges: Serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra burst of citrus flavor. It also allows individuals to customize the dish according to their taste.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Steam Lobster Tails (step-by-step instructions)
This method for cooking lobster tails is a great option for experienced and newer cooks. Cooking lobster tails is easier than you think. Follow these simple instructions. See the recipe post for more details.
Thaw the lobster tails if they are frozen*. Butterfly the lobster tails: Cut through the top of the shell lengthwise using sharp kitchen shears, stopping at the tail.
Gently spread the shell open to expose the meat without detaching it from the shell. This is known as “butterflying” the lobster tails.
Fill a large pot with a few inches of water and insert a steamer basket, steamer insert, or steamer rack.
Cook the Lobster Tails: steam lobster tails until fully cooked.
Prepare Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce: While the lobster tails are steaming, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, but be careful not to brown the garlic.
Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the garlic butter mixture. Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
Once the lobster tails are fully cooked, carefully remove them from the steaming basket. Place them on a serving platter. Garnish the lobster tails with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.
Pour the garlic lemon butter sauce over the steamed lobster tails, or dip each bite into the lemon garlic butter sauce (or sauce of choice!).
Impress guests or loved ones with a gourmet-style dish! This is the best method for tender lobster meat every time!
Variations
Here are a few variations you can try to add your own twist to the steamed lobster tails with garlic lemon butter recipe:
- Herb Sauce: Add fresh herbs to the garlic lemon butter sauce. Try parsley, thyme, or chives for a burst of herby flavors.
- Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the garlic lemon butter sauce.
- Cajun Seasoning: Sprinkle seasoning on the lobster tails before steaming for a spicy, Southern-inspired twist. Old bay seasoning works excellently as well.
- Grill for Extra Flavor: Consider finishing the lobster tails on the grill for a smoky touch. Baste them with the garlic lemon butter sauce while grilling for added flavor. You can also broil the lobster tails for a little extra touch.
Equipment
Storage
Cool leftovers, store in an airtight container, and refrigerate promptly. Consume within 2 days and reheat gently to avoid overcooking.
Top tips
- Quality Lobster Tails: Start with fresh or high-quality lobster tails for the best flavor and texture. If using frozen tails, make sure to thaw them properly in the refrigerator before cooking.
- Butterfly Carefully: Take your time when butterfly-cutting the lobster tails. A precise cut ensures that the tails open up beautifully during steaming, and it promotes even cooking.
- Gentle Steaming: Steam the lobster tails gently to avoid overcooking. Check for doneness after 5 minutes, and do not open the lid too frequently, as this can disrupt the steaming process.
- Avoid Overcooking: Lobster tails cook quickly, and overcooking can result in tough and rubbery meat. Stay vigilant and check for doneness to ensure the lobster remains tender.
FAQs
Do you butterfly lobster before steaming?
Butterflying the lobster tails before steaming allows for even cooking and easier access to the meat, ensuring it stays tender and flavorful.
Is it better to boil or steam lobster tails?
Steaming is often preferred over boiling for lobster tails, as it preserves the natural flavor, results in tender meat, and avoids waterlogged texture.
How do you know when lobster tails are done?
Lobster tails are fully cooked when the flesh is firm to the touch and white and opaque in color. The shells should be bright red, and the internal temperature should range from 140°F to 145°F in the thickest part of the meat with an instant-read thermometer.
How long does it take to cook lobster tails?
Steaming lobster tails typically takes 6 to 10 minutes, depending on their size. Check for doneness after 5 minutes to prevent overcooking.
What to Serve with Steamed Lobster Tails Recipe
A great way to serve lobster tails is with these side dishes:
- Creamy Risotto alla Milanese Recipe (saffron risotto)
- Easy Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup Recipe
- Italian Stuffed Artichokes Recipe (Sicilian Style)
- Easy Carrot Cake Recipe (One Bowl and Super Moist!)
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How to Cook Steamed Lobster Tails Recipe
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Steamed Lobster Tails Recipe with Garlic Butter– Steaming the lobster tails preserves their natural sweetness and avoids needing heavy or overly complicated sauces. The result is a fresh and light dish that lets the lobster shine!
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
UnitsScale
- 4 lobster tails (small to medium or large)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of half a lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Lemon slices for serving
Instructions
- Thaw the lobster tails if they are frozen*.
- Butterfly the lobster tails: Cut through the top of the shell lengthwise using sharp kitchen shears, stopping at the tail. Gently spread the shell open to expose the meat without detaching it from the shell. This is known as “butterflying” the lobster tails.
- Fill a large pot with a few inches of water and insert a steamer basket, steamer insert, or steamer rack. Make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the basket. Place lobster tails in the steaming basket, in a single layer, shell side down. Cover the pot with a lid.
- Cook the Lobster Tails: steam lobster tails until fully cooked. This typically takes 6 to 8 minutes for small to medium lobster tails and 8 to 10 minutes for larger tails. Try not to open the lid when they are steaming!
- Tip: Lobster tails are fully cooked when the flesh is firm to the touch and white and opaque in color. The shells should be bright red, and the internal temperature should range from 140°F to 145°F in the thickest part of the meat with an instant-read thermometer.
- Prepare Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce: While the lobster tails are steaming, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, but be careful not to brown the garlic. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the garlic butter mixture. Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
- Once the lobster tails are fully cooked, carefully remove them from the steaming basket. Place them on a serving platter. Garnish the lobster tails with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.
- Pour the garlic lemon butter sauce over the steamed lobster tails, or dip each bite into the lemon garlic butter sauce (or sauce of choice!).
Notes
Thawing lobster tails: 1) Refrigerator (overnight method) – Set frozen lobster tails on a plate topped and cover them with paper towels (to absorb excess water) and wrap them with plastic wrap, or set them in an airtight container. Thaw 8-12 hours, or overnight in the fridge. 2) Fast method – Place frozen lobster tails in a gallon-sized sealed bag and release the air. Place the bag in a bowl of cool water until the lobster is thawed.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Savory
- Method: American
- Cuisine: American
