Oven-Baked Lobster Tails Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Video Guide

Succulent lobster tail roasted to tender perfection is a gourmet delight right at home. Using your oven to bake lobster tails is easy reliable, and yields incredible results every time when you follow the right techniques.

In this complete guide, we’ll provide a step-by-step video walkthrough of how to cook lobster tails in the oven. You’ll learn pro tips for purchasing, prepping, seasoning, and checking for doneness when oven-baking lobster. Let’s get cooking!

Selecting Lobster Tails for Baking

You can purchase raw lobster tails fresh or frozen at high-end grocery stores or fish markets Look for tails labeled “cold water lobster” like Maine lobster or Rock lobster tails. These varieties have the sweetest flavor and densest meat

Choose tails that are at least 5 ounces or larger for the most meat. Check that the shells are hard and do not appear cracked or leaking. The meat should smell fresh, not fishy. For easy prep, buy tail shells already split along the back.

Allow frozen tails to thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. This prevents meat from cooking unevenly. Fresh tails can go straight into the oven.

Preparing Lobster Tails for Baking

Once you have your high-quality tails picked out, prep is a breeze:

• Use kitchen shears to snip away the rubber bands around the tails. Discard any wrapping. Rinse under cold water.

• Lay tails shell-side up. Use sharp scissors to cut lengthwise along the center of the shell. Cut just deep enough to expose the meat.

• Gently run your thumbs along the sides of the cut to open up the shell. Don’t detach the shell halves completely.

• Use a knife to loosen the meat from the bottom shell. Leave connected at the fin joint.

• Rinse any debris from the exposed meat. Pat the tails dry with paper towels.

With these simple steps, your tails are ready for seasoning and baking!

Oven-Baking Lobster Tail Step-by-Step

This video walkthrough takes you through every oven-baking step for perfect, tender lobster tail every time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN_uxnHo3kM

Here is an overview of the key techniques:

• Brush tails lightly with melted butter or oil. Season with salt, pepper, lemon juice and/or fresh herbs.

• Place tails shell-side down on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper.

• Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes to start. This half-cooks the meat.

• Flip tails shell-side up and continue baking 7-9 more minutes until opaque and cooked through.

• For added indulgence, top with pats of butter in the last 2 minutes to melt over the meat.

• Allow tails to rest 5 minutes before serving.

• Use a seafood fork and knife to detach the cooked meat from the shell.

• Garnish with lemon wedges, fresh parsley or diced chives.

Following this simple oven-baking video recipe guarantees succulent, flavorful lobster tail every time!

Pro Tips for Baked Lobster Perfection

Use these pro tips for the very best oven-baked lobster tails:

• Choose a high-heat oven at least 425°F to quickly sear and half-cook. This locks in juices.

• Cut shells prior to baking for even heat distribution. Halves cook faster than whole shells.

• Start meat-side down to allow heat to penetrate from the shell first. This prevents overcooking.

• Flip halfway and baste with butter. Baking shell-side up gives great color and flavor.

• Judge doneness by opacity and firmness. Cook until just opaque but still moist inside.

• Rest before serving as carryover cooking continues even when removed from oven.

Master these expert tricks and you will be rewarded with tender, succulent lobster tail every oven-baked batch.

Fabulous Flavor Variations

Don’t limit yourself to plain melted butter on baked tails. Try these easy flavor infusions:

• Compound lemon-garlic butter – blend softened butter with minced garlic, lemon zest, parsley and red pepper flakes.

• Pesto drizzle – spoon basil pesto over tails before serving, or use sun-dried tomato pesto for depth.

• Cajun blackening spices – coat tails with Cajun seasoning before baking.

• Brown butter drizzle – cook butter in a skillet until browned for nutty depth.

• Chili lime spice – top with fresh lime juice, chili powder, cilantro and salt.

• Parmesan herb crust – coat tails in mayo, breadcrumbs, parmesan, oregano and garlic powder before baking.

With your preferred flavors, oven-baked lobster tails are incredible.

Pairing Sides for a Complete Meal

Don’t forget delicious side dishes to make your lobster tails the star of a great meal:

• Drawn butter with fresh lemon – the classic pairing, great for dipping lobster meat.

• Garlic mashed potatoes – rich accompaniment to balance the leanness of lobster.

• Steamed asparagus – bright green veg with lemon vinaigrette.

• Twice-baked potatoes – indulgent stuffed spuds are a great lobster partner.

• Corn on the cob – the sweetness complements briny seafood.

• Dinner rolls – soak up any lobster butter drippings.

Mix and match your favorite sides for a whole meal worthy of restaurant quality, now achievable right from your own oven.

Make Lobster Tails an Anytime Treat

Oven-baking lets you enjoy succulent, gourmet-quality lobster tail for a fraction of restaurant pricing. Follow the step-by-step video tutorial above for tender, juicy results guaranteed to impress.

From cracking shells to checking doneness cues, you now have all the tips for lobster baked to perfection. Turn up the heat, grab a shellfish fork, and savor this sensational seafood delight any night of the week!