Picture this: It’s date night, and instead of fighting for a table at that fancy seafood spot downtown, you’re flipping on your broiler to make a restaurant-worthy Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter right in your own kitchen. I still remember the first time I tried this combo—my husband’s birthday, candlelight flickering, that first buttery bite of lobster tail melting in my mouth. Oh! And those garlicky jumbo shrimp? Absolute perfection. Turns out, you don’t need a chef’s coat to pull off a seafood feast that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds. The secret? A simple garlic butter bath and just 10 minutes under the broiler. Trust me, if I can do this after burning toast three times last week, you’ve totally got it.
Why You’ll Love This Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter
Listen, I know what you’re thinking—seafood platters belong in fancy restaurants with white tablecloths, right? Wrong! This Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter is your ticket to restaurant style seafood without the hassle (or the bill). Here’s why it’s my go-to for special occasions—or honestly, just Tuesdays when I’m feeling fancy:
- Quick magic: Ready in 25 minutes flat—faster than waiting for a table!
- Flavor bomb: That garlic butter sauce? It’s like a hug for your seafood.
- Special occasion vibes: Looks impressive, tastes luxurious, but secretly easy.
- Customizable: Swap in your favorite spices or add a squeeze of extra lemon.
Seriously, once you taste those jumbo butter shrimp next to the lobster tails, you’ll wonder why you ever ordered surf and turf out.
Ingredients for Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter
Okay, let’s talk ingredients—this is where the magic starts! You’ll want everything prepped and ready to go before that broiler heats up. Here’s what you need for that perfect garlic butter lobster tails and shrimp combo:
- 2 lobster tails (about 6-8 oz each—thawed if frozen)
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined but leave those pretty tails on!
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (real butter only—no substitutes!)
- 5 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 heaping tbsp if you’re using pre-minced)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh squeezed makes all the difference)
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning (our family’s secret weapon)
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked if you’ve got it)
- ½ tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste (I’m generous with both)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (don’t skip this—it’s the pop of color!)
- Lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, and extra melted butter for serving (because why not?)
Pro tip: Measure everything before you start—once that broiler’s on, things move fast!
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry—you won’t need any fancy gadgets for this Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter. Just grab these basics from your kitchen:
- Rimmed baking sheet (trust me, you want those edges to catch any butter drips!)
- Sharp kitchen shears or knife for splitting those lobster tails
- Pastry brush (or a spoon in a pinch) for slathering on that garlic butter
- Tongs for flipping shrimp halfway through
That’s it! Now let’s get cooking—your seafood feast is minutes away.
How to Make Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter
Alright, let’s dive into the fun part—turning these gorgeous ingredients into a showstopping Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter! I promise it’s easier than you think, and the smell alone will have your family hovering in the kitchen.
Preparing the Seafood
First things first—pat those shrimp dry with paper towels (wet shrimp steam instead of broil, and we want that perfect sear!). For the lobster tails, grab your kitchen shears and carefully cut down the center of the shell’s top, stopping just before the tail fin. Gently pull the meat up and over the shell—it should rest on top like a little seafood crown. Arrange everything on your baking sheet with the lobster tails in the center and shrimp circling them like adoring fans.
Making the Garlic Butter Sauce
Now for the magic potion! In a small bowl, whisk together your melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and all those wonderful spices. Taste it—go ahead!—and adjust the seasoning if needed. Using your pastry brush, generously coat every inch of that seafood. Don’t be shy here—this butter bath is what makes your platter taste like a restaurant style seafood dream.
Broiling the Lobster and Shrimp
Slide your baking sheet onto the middle rack under a preheated broiler (about 6 inches from the heat source). Here’s the key: broil lobster for 8-10 minutes and shrimp for 5-7 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway and basting everything with more garlic butter when you do. You’ll know it’s done when the lobster turns opaque with golden edges and the shrimp curl into perfect pink C-shapes. Watch closely—broilers work fast! If things start browning too quickly, just move the pan down a rack.
Tips for the Perfect Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter
After making this platter more times than I can count (okay fine, weekly since last summer), I’ve picked up some tricks to guarantee seafood success every time:
- Size matters: Thicker lobster tails? Add 1-2 minutes. Smaller shrimp? Check at 4 minutes.
- Fresh is best: That parsley isn’t just garnish—toss it on right after broiling for maximum flavor.
- Butter backup: Make extra garlic butter for dipping (you’ll thank me later).
- Broiler quirks: Every oven’s different—peek at 5 minutes to prevent over-browning.
Oh! And always serve immediately—this platter waits for no one!
Serving Suggestions
Now comes the best part—plating up your gorgeous Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter! I always serve this beauty on a big platter with lemon wedges tucked around the edges (squeeze them right before eating for that bright zing). For sides, keep it simple: buttery rice soaks up all that garlicky goodness, or roasted asparagus adds a crisp contrast. And don’t forget the dipping sauces—little bowls of extra melted butter and tangy cocktail sauce turn this into a proper seafood dinner platter experience. Pro tip: toss some extra parsley over everything—it makes the colors pop!
Storage and Reheating
Okay, let’s be real—leftovers from this Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter are rare in my house! But if you somehow have extra, store them airtight in the fridge for up to 2 days. When reheating, go low and slow—15 seconds in the microwave or a quick warm-up in a skillet with a splash of water keeps shrimp from turning rubbery. Pro tip: The lobster actually tastes amazing cold the next day on a salad (if it lasts that long!).
Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter FAQs
I get asked about this Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter all the time—here are the questions that pop up most often (and my tried-and-true answers!):
Can I use frozen lobster tails?
Absolutely! Just thaw them overnight in the fridge first. Pro tip: For quicker thawing, seal them in a plastic bag and submerge in cold water for 30 minutes. Pat dry before splitting—wet shells are slippery!
What if I don’t have Old Bay seasoning?
No panic! Mix ½ tsp each of celery salt, paprika, and black pepper for a quick substitute. But trust me, that little tin of Old Bay is worth keeping around—it’s magic on jumbo butter shrimp!
Can I grill instead of broil?
You bet! Medium-high heat works great—just baste often and watch for flare-ups from that delicious garlic butter. The smoky flavor takes this restaurant style seafood to another level!
How do I know when the lobster’s done?
The meat turns opaque and firms up slightly—about 140°F if you’re using a thermometer. But my grandma’s trick? When the shell turns bright red and the edges curl, it’s ready!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s talk numbers—but remember, these are just estimates since seafood sizes and butter amounts can vary. For one generous serving of this Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter (and yes, that includes all that glorious garlic butter!):
- 560 calories (worth every single one!)
- 46g protein (hello, muscle fuel)
- 32g fat (18g saturated—it’s butter, what did you expect?)
- 8g carbs (mostly from the garlic and spices)
Pro tip: If you’re watching sodium, go easy on the Old Bay and skip the cocktail sauce. But honestly? This is a special occasion dish—live a little!
Rate This Recipe
Did this Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter make you feel like a seafood chef superstar? Drop a quick rating below—I read every comment and love hearing how yours turned out! (Extra points if you share a photo of that golden, buttery goodness.)
Print25-Minute Broiled Lobster Shrimp Platter: Irresistible Flavor!
A restaurant-quality seafood feast featuring broiled lobster tails and jumbo butter shrimp, perfect for weekend dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
- 2 lobster tails
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Cocktail sauce, for dipping
- Drawn butter, for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the seafood by splitting lobster tails and arranging them with shrimp on a baking tray.
- Mix melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, and seasonings, then brush generously over lobster and shrimp.
- Broil lobster for 8–10 minutes and shrimp for 5–7 minutes, basting halfway with more butter.
- Sprinkle with parsley and drizzle with remaining garlic butter. Serve with lemon wedges and dipping sauces.
- Enjoy immediately with sides like rice, roasted vegetables, or bread.
Notes
- Pat shrimp dry before seasoning for better texture.
- Adjust broiling time based on seafood thickness.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness—don’t skip it.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 46g
- Cholesterol: 380mg