Butter Poached Lobster Recipe

Butter Poached Lobster is pure decadence on a plate—tender, sweet lobster tails gently simmered in fragrant garlic butter until every bite feels like the ultimate luxury. With just a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes, you can turn an ordinary night into a special occasion, no reservation required!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Butter Poached Lobster is how it turns a few well-chosen ingredients into something truly extraordinary. Each item is chosen to add sweetness, buttery richness, gentle heat, or bright flavor—don’t skip a thing!

• 12 tablespoons (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter: The heart of this dish—slow-poaching in butter infuses the lobster with rich flavor and keeps it silky tender.
• 6 medium lobster tails: Sweet, succulent, and the absolute star of the show—use fresh or thawed frozen for the best results.
• 4 cloves garlic, minced: Just enough to perfume the butter and make each bite feel irresistible.
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt: Highlights the lobster’s sweetness and seasons the sauce perfectly.
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a gentle savoriness for depth and balance.
• Fresh parsley and lemon wedges, for serving (optional): These brighten and finish the dish with color and zing.

Variations

One of the best things about Butter Poached Lobster is how effortlessly you can customize it. Whether you’ve got different seafood in the fridge or need to adjust for allergies or tastes, there’s plenty of wiggle room to make this dish truly your own.

• Herb Infused Butter: Toss in fresh thyme, tarragon, or chives while melting the butter for a subtle twist of flavor that complements lobster beautifully.
• Citrus Zest: Add a sprinkle of fresh lemon or orange zest to the poaching butter for a bright, zippy finish.
• Different Shellfish: Not in the mood for lobster or working with a budget? Prep shrimp or sea scallops the same way—the results are still amazing!
• Dairy-Free: Swap the butter with a plant-based alternative for a dairy-free feast that’s still rich and mouthwatering.

How to Make Butter Poached Lobster

Step 1: Prepare the Lobster Tails

Start by flipping each lobster tail onto its back. Crack the ribs gently with your hands for easier cutting, then use sturdy kitchen shears to cut down the underside (the softer, leggy side) of the tail until you hit the tail fin—no need to cut all the way through. Carefully wiggle the lobster meat out in one gorgeous, whole piece, trying your best to keep it intact. Hang onto those shells—they’re perfect for homemade stock!

Step 2: Clean and Season

Check each lobster tail for the digestive tract (the dark vein that sometimes runs along the back). If you spot one, just make a shallow cut along the back and gently pull it out and discard. Lay the lobster tails on a plate, pat them bone dry with paper towels, and season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper.

Step 3: Melt the Butter

In a large skillet or saucepan, melt all that glorious butter over medium-low heat. Once it’s fully melted and silky, add your minced garlic and stir for about a minute—just until it’s fragrant and your kitchen smells like heaven.

Step 4: Poach the Lobster

Nestle the seasoned lobster tails into the melted butter. Let them cook for 2–4 minutes on each side: you want the lobster to turn opaque and just start to curl (avoid over-cooking or you’ll lose that melt-in-your-mouth magic). Work in batches if needed so each tail gets the full butter bath. Once done, move them to a plate and repeat for any remaining tails.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Right before serving, give the poached lobster a generous squeeze of fresh lemon and sprinkle over some chopped parsley. Spoon that garlicky butter sauce over everything and serve immediately while warm.

How to Serve Butter Poached Lobster

Garnishes

The classic finish for Butter Poached Lobster is a fresh shower of chopped parsley and a wedge of lemon on each plate—the green pops against the rich lobster, and the citrus adds just the right hit of brightness to every buttery bite.

Side Dishes

Lean into luxury by pairing this with silky mashed potatoes, a fresh asparagus salad, or a simple buttered pasta. Crusty bread is practically mandatory for swooping up every drop of garlicky lobster butter—don’t let that gold go to waste!

Creative Ways to Present

Go all out by serving Butter Poached Lobster in beautiful shells atop a generous smear of sauce, or toss the lobster chunks with pappardelle for an elegant pasta dish. Tiny appetizer spoons loaded with a bite of lobster and butter? Instant party magic.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Lobster meat stays fresh and delicious in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two to three days after poaching. For best quality, keep the meat separate from the shells and sauce until you’re ready to enjoy again.

Freezing

If you want to freeze Butter Poached Lobster, cool the meat completely and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. It will keep well for up to a month, though the texture is always best when enjoyed fresh.

Reheating

Gently reheat the lobster in a skillet with a splash of butter over low heat—just warm it through for a minute or two, being careful not to overcook. Never microwave, or you risk toughening the meat.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried making Butter Poached Lobster at home, you’re in for the most delightful surprise. It’s a dish that delivers spectacular flavor for surprisingly little work and brings a feeling of celebration to any meal. Don’t wait for a special occasion—treat yourself and your loved ones tonight!

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