Description
Delight in this elegant yet simple recipe featuring tender baked lobster tails smothered in a rich garlic herb butter sauce, paired perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes. Ideal for a special dinner, this dish combines succulent seafood with comforting sides for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Lobster Tails
- 2 lobster tails (about 7 ounces each)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Mashed Potatoes
- 2 large potatoes (about 1 pound each)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Extra parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the lobster tails.
- Prepare the lobster tails: Carefully cut through the top shell of each lobster tail lengthwise, stopping just before reaching the tail fin. Gently pull the lobster meat out and position it perched atop the shell. Place the prepared tails in a baking dish.
- Make the garlic herb butter sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, thyme, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Brush lobster with butter mixture: Generously brush the garlic herb butter over the exposed lobster meat. Reserve some sauce for drizzling after baking.
- Bake the lobster tails: Place lobster tails in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the meat is opaque and fully cooked through.
- Prepare the mashed potatoes: While lobster bakes, peel and chop the potatoes into chunks. Place them in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Mash the potatoes: Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add milk, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy.
- Finish the lobster tails: Once baked, remove the lobster tails from the oven and drizzle any reserved garlic herb butter over the top. Let them cool slightly.
- Serve: Plate the lobster tails alongside a generous serving of creamy mashed potatoes. Garnish with extra parsley if desired for a fresh touch.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use fresh herbs and fresh lemon juice.
- Do not overcook the lobster as it can become tough; watch for opaque and firm meat as a sign of doneness.
- You can substitute milk with cream or half-and-half for a richer mashed potato.
- Use a potato masher or ricer for extra fluffy mashed potatoes.
- Garnish with lemon wedges for added acidity and presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lobster tail with side of mashed potatoes
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg
Keywords: baked lobster tails, garlic herb butter, mashed potatoes, seafood recipe, easy dinner
