How to Bake Lobster Tails at Home

Great! You’ve decided to bake your lobster tails. This is fun because you can really get a mind-blowing presentation for your guests. You’ll have to be careful not to overcook your lobster tails because the meat can dry out very quickly, so its critical to keep check your tails early just to be sure. We suggest putting these on the middle rack of your oven. Another great way to keep your tails moist is actually brushing butter on the meat along with parsley or other spices. Baking lobster tails is necessary for butterfly lobster tails. This is a more advanced technique, but once you get it down, you will have your friends in disbelief. 

Preparing the Lobster Tails for Baking

Preparing a lobster tail for baking is as simple as thoroughly thawing it out. This matters whether you bake the lobster whole or butterfly it first. If you thaw it out, it will bake as it should, instead of drying out as it bakes. You can make sure it’s thawed by touch, or you can see if the lobster is flexible and bends easily. If it does, then it’s ready to bake. 

The Best Way to Serve Baked Lobster Tails 

How do you serve baked lobster tails? Fresh out of the oven with some high-quality butter melted and ready for dipping, that’s how! We like to use Kate’s Butter, which is batch-churned and made right here in Maine. You can touch your butter up with some minced garlic or lemon juice to taste. 

When you get the lobster out of the oven, feel free to add some salt and pepper and even paprika for a little spice. We would suggest serving it with a garnish of lemon wedges and fresh parsley.  

1. If you haven’t followed the Butterfly Lobster Tails instructions, then make sure your tails are completely thawed. This can be done by leaving your tails in the fridge the night before cooking them or by putting them in cold water.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Place prepared lobster tails on a baking pan. Don’t forget to add a little water to the pan so your lobsters’ tails don’t dry out!
4. Brush each lobster tail with Butter.
5. Bake using the baking times below or until an instant-read thermometer registers an internal temperature of 140 degrees. Do not overcook.
6. Remove from oven and serve with melted butter and lemon wedges!
7. If you are have followed the butterfly technique, add butter and paprika (optional) and broil for 3 minutes. 

How Long To Bake Lobster Tails

Lobster tails typically bake in 8 to 30 minutes depending on the size. They should be baked at 350 degrees F until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F. 

BAKING LOBSTER TAILS TIME CHART

TAIL SIZE	COOK TIME
3 to 4 oz.	8-10 minutes
4 to 5 oz.	10-12 minutes
6 to 7 oz.	11-13 minutes
7 to 8 oz.	12-14 minutes
8 to 10 oz.	15-18 minutes
10 to 12 oz.	16-20 minutes
12 to 14 oz.	18-21 minutes
14 to 16 oz.	18-22 minutes
16 to 20 oz.	18-23 minutes
20 to 24 oz.	20-24 minutes
24 to 28 oz.	20-26 minutes
28 to 30 oz.	25-30 minutes