{
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  "id": "cr-broiled-lobster-tails",
  "slug": "broiled-lobster-tails",
  "path": "/broiled-lobster-tails/",
  "status": "published",
  "locked": true,
  "title": "Broiled Wild Cold Water Lobster Tails",
  "description": "Broiled wild cold water lobster tails drenched in garlic herb butter and broiled at 550°F until they hit 140°F. Juicy every time, with about 14 g of protein and 140 calories per tail.",
  "seo": {
    "metaTitle": "Broiled Lobster Tails with Garlic Herb Butter (140°F Method)",
    "metaDescription": "How to broil lobster tails: butterfly, drench in garlic herb butter and broil at 550°F to 140°F. Juicy, tender wild cold water tails in about 30 minutes.",
    "focusKeyword": "broiled lobster tails"
  },
  "datePublished": "2026-11-04T02:24:19Z",
  "dateModified": "2026-11-04T02:24:19Z",
  "author": "colorful-recipes",
  "image": {
    "src": "2026/11/broiled-lobster-tails-garlic-herb-butter.jpg",
    "alt": "Close-up of broiled wild cold water lobster tails with golden garlic herb butter and fresh parsley on a white platter"
  },
  "gallery": [],
  "video": null,
  "yield": {
    "servings": 6,
    "text": "6 lobster tails"
  },
  "times": {
    "prepMinutes": 15,
    "cookMinutes": 10,
    "additionalMinutes": 5,
    "totalMinutes": 30
  },
  "taxonomy": {
    "course": [
      "main"
    ],
    "cuisine": [
      "American"
    ],
    "method": [
      "oven"
    ],
    "diets": [
      "low-calorie"
    ],
    "goals": [
      "high-protein",
      "low-calorie",
      "quick"
    ],
    "mainIngredients": [
      "lobster"
    ],
    "keywords": [
      "broiled lobster tails",
      "how to broil lobster tails",
      "cold water lobster tails",
      "wild lobster tails",
      "how to butterfly a lobster tail",
      "lobster tail internal temperature",
      "butterflied lobster tails",
      "garlic herb butter lobster",
      "oven broiled lobster tail"
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  },
  "ingredientGroups": [
    {
      "title": null,
      "items": [
        {
          "text": "6 wild cold water lobster tails (about 1.75 lb total net weight)",
          "qty": 6,
          "qtyMax": null,
          "unit": null,
          "item": "wild cold water lobster tails",
          "note": "about 1.75 lb total net weight",
          "optional": false
        },
        {
          "text": "Salt and pepper, lightly",
          "qty": null,
          "qtyMax": null,
          "unit": null,
          "item": "Salt and pepper",
          "note": "lightly",
          "optional": false
        },
        {
          "text": "1/4 cup butter, melted",
          "qty": 0.25,
          "qtyMax": null,
          "unit": "cup",
          "item": "butter",
          "note": "melted",
          "optional": false
        },
        {
          "text": "1/2 tsp paprika",
          "qty": 0.5,
          "qtyMax": null,
          "unit": "tsp",
          "item": "paprika",
          "note": null,
          "optional": false
        },
        {
          "text": "1 tsp garlic herb seasoning",
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          "qtyMax": null,
          "unit": "tsp",
          "item": "garlic herb seasoning",
          "note": null,
          "optional": false
        },
        {
          "text": "1 tsp rosemary, minced",
          "qty": 1,
          "qtyMax": null,
          "unit": "tsp",
          "item": "rosemary",
          "note": "minced",
          "optional": false
        },
        {
          "text": "2–3 tsp parsley, very finely chopped",
          "qty": 2,
          "qtyMax": 3,
          "unit": "tsp",
          "item": "parsley",
          "note": "very finely chopped",
          "optional": false
        }
      ]
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  ],
  "instructionGroups": [
    {
      "title": null,
      "steps": [
        {
          "text": "Place an oven rack in the middle position and set the broiler to 550°F.",
          "timerMinutes": null,
          "image": null
        },
        {
          "text": "Stir the melted butter with the paprika, garlic herb seasoning, rosemary and parsley. Set a few spoonfuls aside for brushing after broiling.",
          "timerMinutes": null,
          "image": null
        },
        {
          "text": "With kitchen shears, cut each tail through the top of the shell, straight down the center from the open end toward the tail fin. Cut only the shell, keeping the blade just under it so you don’t slice through the meat or the bottom shell, and stop just before the fin.",
          "timerMinutes": null,
          "image": null
        },
        {
          "text": "Spread the cut shell apart with your thumbs. Slide your fingers between the meat and the shell to loosen it along the sides and underneath, leaving it attached at the tail fin. Lift the meat up and out, press the shell closed beneath it, and lay the meat on top of the shell.",
          "timerMinutes": null,
          "image": null
        },
        {
          "text": "Set the tails on a broiler-safe sheet pan and season lightly with salt and pepper.",
          "timerMinutes": null,
          "image": null
        },
        {
          "text": "Drench the lobster meat with the seasoned butter.",
          "timerMinutes": null,
          "image": null
        },
        {
          "text": "Broil on the middle rack only, until the thickest part of the meat reaches 140°F, about 8 to 10 minutes. Go by the thermometer, not the clock.",
          "timerMinutes": null,
          "image": null
        },
        {
          "text": "Rest the tails for 5 minutes. They will climb to 145°F as they rest.",
          "timerMinutes": null,
          "image": null
        },
        {
          "text": "Brush with the reserved butter and serve.",
          "timerMinutes": null,
          "image": null
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "notes": "- **Temperature is everything.** Pull the tails at 140°F. They rise to 145°F while resting, which keeps the meat juicy instead of rubbery. If the thickest part hasn’t reached 145°F after resting, give it another minute under the broiler.\n- **Middle rack only.** At 550°F, a higher rack can scorch the butter and the tops before the center is done.\n- **Timing depends on size.** These tails were about 4.5 ounces each. Bigger tails take longer, so keep the thermometer in.\n- **Frozen tails:** thaw them completely before you start.",
  "tips": [],
  "storage": {
    "fridge": "Covered, up to 2 days",
    "freezer": null,
    "reheat": "Warm gently in a low oven with a little butter, just until heated through."
  },
  "substitutions": [],
  "equipment": [
    {
      "name": "Kitchen shears"
    },
    {
      "name": "Meat thermometer (a leave-in probe is easiest)"
    },
    {
      "name": "Broiler-safe sheet pan"
    }
  ],
  "nutrition": {
    "basis": "perServing",
    "servingSize": "1 lobster tail with garlic herb butter",
    "calories": 137,
    "fatG": 8.4,
    "saturatedFatG": 5,
    "transFatG": null,
    "unsaturatedFatG": null,
    "cholesterolMg": 130,
    "sodiumMg": 572,
    "carbsG": 0.6,
    "fiberG": 0.2,
    "sugarG": 0,
    "addedSugarG": 0,
    "proteinG": 14.4,
    "vitaminDMcg": null,
    "calciumMg": null,
    "ironMg": null,
    "potassiumMg": null,
    "source": "usda-calculated",
    "verified": false,
    "notes": "Optional items not included: black pepper (negligible). 1.75 lb (794 g) net weight includes the shell; about 65% is edible meat (516 g), counted using raw values. All of the butter is counted, including what stays on the pan, so the real numbers run a little lower. Salt counted as 1/4 tsp in total; garlic herb seasoning sodium varies by product."
  },
  "rating": null,
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How do you broil lobster tails?",
      "a": "Butterfly the tails with kitchen shears, lift the meat on top of the shell and drench it in seasoned melted butter. Broil at 550°F on the middle rack until the thickest part reaches 140°F, then rest for 5 minutes."
    },
    {
      "q": "How do you cut a lobster tail to put the meat on top?",
      "a": "Use kitchen shears to cut through the top shell, straight down the center from the open end to just before the tail fin, without cutting the bottom shell. Spread the shell, loosen the meat with your fingers while leaving it attached at the fin, lift it out, press the shell closed and lay the meat on top."
    },
    {
      "q": "What internal temperature should lobster tails be?",
      "a": "Pull them from the broiler at 140°F. As they rest they climb to 145°F, the finished temperature you want. Measure in the thickest part of the meat."
    },
    {
      "q": "How long does it take to broil lobster tails?",
      "a": "Tails of about 4.5 ounces usually take around 8 to 10 minutes on the middle rack, but ovens and tail sizes vary. A thermometer is the only reliable way to know, so go by 140°F rather than the clock."
    },
    {
      "q": "What rack should I use to broil lobster tails?",
      "a": "The middle rack only. It gives the center time to cook through while the butter and the tops brown instead of burning."
    },
    {
      "q": "What is the difference between cold water and warm water lobster tails?",
      "a": "Cold water tails come from lobsters caught in colder ocean waters and are prized for their firm, sweet meat. Warm water tails tend to be softer and milder in flavor."
    },
    {
      "q": "How much protein is in a lobster tail?",
      "a": "Each of these tails has about 14 g of protein and 140 calories, including the garlic herb butter. Two tails make a filling high-protein dinner at about 29 g of protein and 280 calories."
    },
    {
      "q": "Why is my lobster tail tough or rubbery?",
      "a": "It’s almost always overcooked. Lobster goes from tender to rubbery quickly, which is why this recipe stops at 140°F and lets the rest bring it up to 145°F."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "lemon-cedar-planked-salmon",
    "fish-pacific-cod-avocado-sauce",
    "creamy-shrimp-linguine",
    "how-to-grill-salmon-on-a-cedar-plank"
  ],
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  "url": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/broiled-lobster-tails/",
  "proteinPer100": 10.5,
  "ingredientCount": 7,
  "hasComments": 0,
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  "imageUrl": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/media/2026/11/broiled-lobster-tails-garlic-herb-butter-1368.webp",
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    "name": "Broiled Wild Cold Water Lobster Tails",
    "description": "How to broil lobster tails: butterfly, drench in garlic herb butter and broil at 550°F to 140°F. Juicy, tender wild cold water tails in about 30 minutes.",
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    "author": {
      "@id": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/about/#christine"
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    "datePublished": "2026-11-04T02:24:19Z",
    "dateModified": "2026-11-04T02:24:19Z",
    "prepTime": "PT15M",
    "cookTime": "PT10M",
    "totalTime": "PT30M",
    "recipeYield": [
      "6",
      "6 lobster tails"
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    "recipeCategory": [
      "Main Dish"
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    "recipeCuisine": [
      "American"
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    "cookingMethod": "oven",
    "keywords": "broiled lobster tails, how to broil lobster tails, cold water lobster tails, wild lobster tails, how to butterfly a lobster tail, lobster tail internal temperature, butterflied lobster tails, garlic herb butter lobster, oven broiled lobster tail, high protein, low calorie, quick, lobster",
    "recipeIngredient": [
      "6 wild cold water lobster tails (about 1.75 lb total net weight)",
      "Salt and pepper, lightly",
      "1/4 cup butter, melted",
      "1/2 tsp paprika",
      "1 tsp garlic herb seasoning",
      "1 tsp rosemary, minced",
      "2–3 tsp parsley, very finely chopped"
    ],
    "recipeInstructions": [
      {
        "@type": "HowToStep",
        "text": "Place an oven rack in the middle position and set the broiler to 550°F.",
        "url": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/broiled-lobster-tails/#step-main-1"
      },
      {
        "@type": "HowToStep",
        "text": "Stir the melted butter with the paprika, garlic herb seasoning, rosemary and parsley. Set a few spoonfuls aside for brushing after broiling.",
        "url": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/broiled-lobster-tails/#step-main-2"
      },
      {
        "@type": "HowToStep",
        "text": "With kitchen shears, cut each tail through the top of the shell, straight down the center from the open end toward the tail fin. Cut only the shell, keeping the blade just under it so you don’t slice through the meat or the bottom shell, and stop just before the fin.",
        "url": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/broiled-lobster-tails/#step-main-3"
      },
      {
        "@type": "HowToStep",
        "text": "Spread the cut shell apart with your thumbs. Slide your fingers between the meat and the shell to loosen it along the sides and underneath, leaving it attached at the tail fin. Lift the meat up and out, press the shell closed beneath it, and lay the meat on top of the shell.",
        "url": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/broiled-lobster-tails/#step-main-4"
      },
      {
        "@type": "HowToStep",
        "text": "Set the tails on a broiler-safe sheet pan and season lightly with salt and pepper.",
        "url": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/broiled-lobster-tails/#step-main-5"
      },
      {
        "@type": "HowToStep",
        "text": "Drench the lobster meat with the seasoned butter.",
        "url": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/broiled-lobster-tails/#step-main-6"
      },
      {
        "@type": "HowToStep",
        "text": "Broil on the middle rack only, until the thickest part of the meat reaches 140°F, about 8 to 10 minutes. Go by the thermometer, not the clock.",
        "url": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/broiled-lobster-tails/#step-main-7"
      },
      {
        "@type": "HowToStep",
        "text": "Rest the tails for 5 minutes. They will climb to 145°F as they rest.",
        "url": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/broiled-lobster-tails/#step-main-8"
      },
      {
        "@type": "HowToStep",
        "text": "Brush with the reserved butter and serve.",
        "url": "https://colorfulrecipes.com/broiled-lobster-tails/#step-main-9"
      }
    ],
    "tool": [
      {
        "@type": "HowToTool",
        "name": "Kitchen shears"
      },
      {
        "@type": "HowToTool",
        "name": "Meat thermometer (a leave-in probe is easiest)"
      },
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        "@type": "HowToTool",
        "name": "Broiler-safe sheet pan"
      }
    ],
    "nutrition": {
      "@type": "NutritionInformation",
      "servingSize": "1 lobster tail with garlic herb butter",
      "calories": "137 calories",
      "proteinContent": "14.4 g",
      "carbohydrateContent": "0.6 g",
      "fatContent": "8.4 g",
      "saturatedFatContent": "5 g",
      "cholesterolContent": "130 mg",
      "sodiumContent": "572 mg",
      "fiberContent": "0.2 g",
      "sugarContent": "0 g"
    },
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