Foolproof Oven Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter Recipe

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2. Ensure lobster tails are completely thawed and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels.
3. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, and optional smoked paprika. Mix until well incorporated to create the garlic herb butter.
4. Place tails shell-side down. Use sharp kitchen shears to cut straight down the middle of the top shell, from the pointed end towards the body, stopping just before cutting through the bottom shell.
5. Gently pry the shell open. Carefully lift the lobster meat up and rest it on top of the opened shell halves (butterfly the tail).
6. Brush half of the prepared garlic butter mixture generously over the exposed lobster meat.
7. Place the prepared tails on the lined baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the meat is opaque white and firm (internal temperature reaches 140°F / 60°C).
8. Remove from the oven. Immediately brush the remaining butter mixture over the hot meat and drizzle with fresh lemon juice before serving.