Butter Poached Lobster Tails
Butter Poached Lobster Tails
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons water
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 16 tablespoons butter, chilled, cut into 1 tablespoon pieces
- 1 sprig tarragon, optional
- 4 lobster tails, (4-5 ounce each)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- as needed chives, for garnish, chopped
- as needed kosher salt
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the lobster tails: Using kitchen shears, carefully cut the top of each lobster shell lengthwise, from the base to the tail fan. Gently pull the lobster meat up and out of the shell, resting it on top of the shell. This allows the lobster to absorb more flavor during poaching.
⏱️ 3 min
- 2
Start the butter sauce: In a large skillet, heat 6 tablespoons of water over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Infuse the garlic: Add the 2 crushed garlic cloves to the simmering water and cook for 90 seconds, allowing the garlic flavor to infuse.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Emulsify the butter: Reduce the heat to low. Begin adding the chilled butter, one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously. Continue whisking until all 16 tablespoons of butter are incorporated and the sauce is emulsified, which should take about 5 to 6 minutes. This slow process helps prevent the butter sauce from breaking.
⏱️ 6 min
- 5
Add tarragon: If using, add the 1 sprig of tarragon to the butter sauce.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Poach the lobster: Carefully add the prepared lobster tails to the butter sauce in the skillet. Poach gently over low heat for 4 minutes. Flip the lobster tails and continue to cook for another 2 minutes, or until the lobster meat is just cooked through and opaque. Throughout the poaching process, you can spoon the butter sauce over the lobster tails to keep them moist and flavorful.
⏱️ 6 min
- 7
Finish the sauce: Remove the poached lobster tails from the skillet and set aside. Add the 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the remaining butter sauce in the skillet and whisk to combine.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Serve: Arrange the butter-poached lobster tails on serving plates. Drizzle generously with the lemon-butter sauce from the skillet. Garnish with fresh chopped chives and a pinch of kosher salt, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Butter Poached Lobster Tails
- 6 tablespoons water
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 16 tablespoons butter, chilled, cut into 1 tablespoon pieces
- 1 sprig tarragon, optional
- 4 lobster tails, (4-5 ounce each)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- as needed chives, for garnish, chopped
- as needed kosher salt
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the lobster tails: Using kitchen shears, carefully cut the top of each lobster shell lengthwise, from the base to the tail fan. Gently pull the lobster meat up and out of the shell, resting it on top of the shell. This allows the lobster to absorb more flavor during poaching.
⏱️ 3 min - 2
Start the butter sauce: In a large skillet, heat 6 tablespoons of water over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Infuse the garlic: Add the 2 crushed garlic cloves to the simmering water and cook for 90 seconds, allowing the garlic flavor to infuse.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Emulsify the butter: Reduce the heat to low. Begin adding the chilled butter, one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously. Continue whisking until all 16 tablespoons of butter are incorporated and the sauce is emulsified, which should take about 5 to 6 minutes. This slow process helps prevent the butter sauce from breaking.
⏱️ 6 min - 5
Add tarragon: If using, add the 1 sprig of tarragon to the butter sauce.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Poach the lobster: Carefully add the prepared lobster tails to the butter sauce in the skillet. Poach gently over low heat for 4 minutes. Flip the lobster tails and continue to cook for another 2 minutes, or until the lobster meat is just cooked through and opaque. Throughout the poaching process, you can spoon the butter sauce over the lobster tails to keep them moist and flavorful.
⏱️ 6 min - 7
Finish the sauce: Remove the poached lobster tails from the skillet and set aside. Add the 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to the remaining butter sauce in the skillet and whisk to combine.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Serve: Arrange the butter-poached lobster tails on serving plates. Drizzle generously with the lemon-butter sauce from the skillet. Garnish with fresh chopped chives and a pinch of kosher salt, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min