Description
This Butter Poached Lobster recipe offers a decadent, restaurant-quality seafood dish that is easy to prepare at home. Lobster tails are gently poached in rich, melted butter infused with garlic and lemon, resulting in tender, flavorful meat perfect for an elegant dinner. The method preserves the lobster’s delicate texture and brings out its natural sweetness, making it an ideal meal served with simple sides like risotto or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Lobster
- 4 lobster tails (about 4–6 ounces each)
Poaching Butter Sauce
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh chopped chives or parsley (optional)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare Lobster Tails: Using kitchen shears, carefully cut the top shell of each lobster tail lengthwise down the middle. Gently pull the lobster meat out of the shell, leaving it attached at the base to hold its shape. Set the prepared tails aside.
- Make Poaching Butter: In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the unsalted butter and water. Stir gently until the butter fully melts and forms a smooth, emulsified sauce. Avoid boiling. Add minced garlic and lemon juice if desired, stirring to infuse the flavors.
- Poach Lobster: Maintain the butter at a low temperature between 160°F and 180°F to ensure gentle cooking. Place the lobster tails into the butter and poach them for 5 to 7 minutes. Occasionally spoon the warm butter over the lobster to keep it moist and flavorful. The lobster meat should turn opaque and become tender when done.
- Serve: Using tongs, carefully remove the lobster tails from the butter and place them on serving plates. Drizzle with some of the poaching butter and garnish with freshly chopped chives or parsley. Serve immediately with lemon wedges or alongside sides like risotto, pasta, or mashed potatoes for a luxurious meal.
Notes
- Keep the butter temperature just below simmering to prevent overcooking and toughening the lobster meat.
- This poaching method works equally well with claw meat or whole lobster tails.
- For extra flavor, you can add herbs such as thyme or tarragon to the butter while melting.
- Use fresh lobster tails for best texture, but frozen tails can be used if fully thawed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lobster tail
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg