Homemade Red Lobster Style Rock Lobster Tail with Drawn Butter

Instructions

1. 1

   **Thaw Lobster Tails**: If frozen, thaw lobster tails overnight in the refrigerator or for 30 minutes in a sealed bag under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels.

2. 2

   **Prepare Lobster Tails**: Using sharp kitchen shears, cut down the center of the top shell from the wide end almost to the tail fin, being careful not to cut through the meat. Gently spread the shell open. Carefully slide your fingers under the meat to loosen it from the bottom shell, keeping it attached at the tail end. Pull the meat up through the opening, resting it on top of the shell (this is called 'piggybacking'). Alternatively, you can butterfly the tail by cutting the meat almost all the way through horizontally, then opening it like a book.

3. 3

   **Preheat Grill/Broiler**: For grilling, preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). For broiling, preheat your oven broiler and place an oven rack 6-8 inches from the heat source.

4. 4

   **Season Lobster**: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil (or melted butter), garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Brush the seasoned mixture generously over the exposed lobster meat.

5. 5

   **Cook Lobster**: Choose your preferred method:

6. 6

   * **Grilling**: Place lobster tails meat-side down on the preheated grill for 3-5 minutes, until grill marks appear. Flip the tails, brush with any remaining seasoning mixture, and cook shell-side down for another 5-7 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and firm, and reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

7. 7

   * **Broiling**: Place lobster tails meat-side up on a baking sheet. Broil for 8-12 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and firm, and reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

8. 8

   **Make Drawn Butter**: While the lobster cooks, melt the 1/2 cup unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Once melted, skim off any foam that rises to the top (these are milk solids, removing them creates clarified butter, which is the base of drawn butter). Stir in the fresh lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and optional white pepper. Keep warm.

9. 9

   **Serve**: Remove lobster tails from the grill or broiler. Serve immediately with the warm drawn butter for dipping.