How To Butter Poach Lobster Tails
If you want an easy method to cook lobster that makes it juicy and tender look no further. Learn How To Butter Poach Lobster Tails with the shells on or off.
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Poached Lobster Tails
Poaching Lobster in a bath of butter and lemon is just another great way to prepare this indulgent dish. I have shared Easy Broiled Lobster and Air Fryer Lobster Tails. But there is something about these super buttery lobster tails that take it next-level.
Lobster tails can be butter poached still in the shell or out. If leaving in the shell I cut them in half to ensure even cooking. If you are poaching the lobster to add to another dish and the shell isn’t necessary for the presentation, I find pulling the lobster meat out of the shell to cook the easier method.
How To Prep Lobster Tails
For Shell On: Use sharp kitchen scissors to cut from the top open end to the tail fins. Use a large sharp knife to cut down along that slit all the way through, lengthwise. Remove legs.
For Shell Off: Use sharp kitchen scissors to cut from the top open end to the tail fins. Gently pry open the shell and pull the lobster meat out.
Ingredients Needed For Poached Lobster Tails (screenshot for grocery list)
- Lobster Tails
- Butter
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Salt/Pepper
- Chives
How To Poach Lobster Tails In Butter
- Prep lobster tails.
- In large enamel pan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic, salt and pepper to butter. Place lobster into butter, shell side up if applicable.
- Add lemon wedges around lobster tails.
- Spoon butter over the lobster tails while cooking. Pro Tip: use a turkey baster instead of spoon for a more efficient way to coat the lobster in melted butter.
- If butter starts to boil, reduce heat to simmer.
- For shell on lobster tails: Cook 8-10 minutes, flip shell side down then cook 2 more minutes or until done.
- For no-shell lobster tails: Cook 8-10 minutes, flipping several times until cooked through.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper and chives.
What To Serve With Lobster Tails
Strawberry Spinach Salad – Lemon Garlic Pasta – Shaved Asparagus Salad – Pressure Cooker Artichokes – Filet Mignon – Lemon Garlic Kale Salad – Tuscan Shrimp Pasta
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Butter Poached Lobster Tails
Equipment
- OXO Good Grips Angled Turkey Baster with Cleaning Brush" class="wprm-recipe-equipment-link" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">OXO Turkey Baster
Ingredients
- 4 Lobster Tails 4-5oz each
- 1½ Sticks Butter - salted or unsalted 3/4 cups
- 2 Garlic Cloves - grated
- 1 Lemon - cut into thick slices then quartered
- Salt/Pepper - to tastes
- Fresh Chopped Chives
Instructions
- Prep lobster tails.For Shell On: Use sharp kitchen scissors to cut from the top open end to the tail fins. Use a large sharp knife to cut down along that slit all the way through, lengthwise. Remove legs.
For Shell Off: Use sharp kitchen scissors to cut from the top open end to the tail fins. Gently pry open the shell and pull the lobster meat out.
- In large enamel pan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic, salt and pepper to butter. Place lobster into butter, shell side up if applicable.
- Add lemon wedges around lobster tails.
- Spoon butter over the lobster tails while cooking. Pro Tip: use a turkey baster instead of spoon for a more efficient way to coat the lobster in melted butter.
If butter starts to boil, reduce heat to simmer. - For shell on lobster tails: Cook 8-10 minutes, flip shell side down then cook 2 more minutes or until done.
- For no-shell lobster tails: Cook 8-10 minutes, flipping several times until cooked through.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper and chives.
Nutrition
Welcome!
Nicole Harris is the recipe creator behind WonkyWonderful, sharing fast, budget-friendly meals for busy families. Since 2012 she’s been developing 30-minute dinners, kid-approved favorites, and holiday dishes with flair - all with real ingredients and no fuss. She grew up stretching simple pantry staples into something delicious, and that shows up in every recipe: easy, affordable, and full of flavor. Read more...
