Lobster Tail
Broil 400°F, 8-12 min.
Broiling is the most forgiving method for home cooks — easy, reliable, great presentation with a slight char on top. Butter-poaching is the fine-dining standard but requires advanced skill.
Step-by-Step
1. Butterfly: cut top shell lengthwise with kitchen shears.
2. Gently pull meat up through the cut, resting it on top of the shell.
3. Place on sheet pan.
4. Brush with melted butter, season with salt + paprika.
5. Broil on top rack, 8-12 min depending on size.
6. Pull when meat is opaque and white (no translucent spots).
7. Serve with melted butter + lemon.
Size & Portion Guide
Small tail (4-5 oz): 6-8 min broil.
Medium (6-8 oz): 8-10 min.
Large (10-12 oz): 10-14 min.
Extra large (14+ oz): 12-16 min.
Check at the lower end — overcooked lobster is rubbery.
The meat should be just opaque throughout.
Steam 8-10 min or butter-poach (advanced).
Pro Tip
Butterfly the tail before broiling for even cooking.