Have you ever wondered why restaurant‑style lobster medallions taste so luxurious—and how you can recreate that indulgence in your own kitchen? With just a handful of high‑quality ingredients and a few chef‑inspired techniques, you can achieve the same gourmet flavor at home. In under 30 minutes, this Garlic Butter Lobster Medallions recipe delivers succulent lobster bathed in aromatic garlic‑butter sauce, challenging the belief that seafood fine dining must be costly or complicated.
Ingredients
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4 lobster tails (about 6–8 oz each), thawed if frozen
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3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
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3 garlic cloves, finely minced
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1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
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½ tsp paprika
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Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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Pinch of sea salt
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Optional squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Step-by-Step Method
Step 1: Prepare the Lobster
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Slice the lobster tails lengthwise, exposing the meat but keeping the shell intact.
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Run your thumb under the meat to lift it slightly — this helps cook evenly.
Step 2: Season Lobster
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Season meat side with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and paprika.
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Let rest for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
Step 3: Toast Garlic
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In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tbsp butter.
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Add minced garlic and sauté for 30–45 seconds until aromatic (don’t brown!).
Step 4: Sear Lobster
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Place lobster meat-side down. Sear for 2–3 minutes until just opaque.
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Flip, reduce heat to low.
Step 5: Add Herb Butter
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Add remaining 2 tbsp butter and chopped parsley.
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Spoon butter over lobsters for 1–2 minutes until sauce coats meat.
Step 6: Finish & Serve
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Optional: squeeze fresh lemon juice over medallions.
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Plate the lobster and drizzle any pan sauce.
Variations
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Spicy chili‑garlic twist: Add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne.
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Mediterranean style: Stir in chopped fresh basil and sun‑dried tomato bits.
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Creamy Alfredo flair: Splash in ¼ cup heavy cream and 1 tbsp grated Parmesan.
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Asian fusion: Replace parsley with chopped cilantro and add a dash of soy sauce.
COOKING Note
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Adjust heat carefully—garlic burns fast, and over‑cooking lobster leads to rubberiness.
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Use unsalted butter so you can control the sodium.
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Serve immediately—lobster is best hot out of the pan.
Serving Suggestions
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Serve with crusty garlic bread or herbed rice to soak up the buttery sauce.
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Accompany with a crisp green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette—bright contrast!
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For a luxe presentation, plate atop cauliflower purée or risotto.
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Pair with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc or dry sparkling wine.
Storing Tips for the Recipe
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Refrigeration: Cool lobster completely, then store in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
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Reheating: Gently rewarm in a skillet over low heat with a little butter to preserve texture and flavor.
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Prep-ahead: Mince garlic and chop parsley up to one day before; store in small lidded containers.
Timing
Prep Time :10 minutes (includes slicing tails and seasoning)
Cooking Time : 15 minutes (searing + butter basting)
Total Time : 25 minutes – perfect for a quick gourmet meal!
Yield :Serves 2–4 people (about 2 lobster tails per person)
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Based on 2 lobster tails (approx. 7 oz) with butter and garlic
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Calories: ~420 kcal
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Protein: ~40 g
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Sodium: ~420 mg (before adjusting added salt)
Data calculated using USDA nutritional values and cooking fats.
Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
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Swap ghee for butter—to reduce lactose and raise smoke point.
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Use olive oil instead of butter—lowers saturated fat.
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Lighten sauce with Greek yogurt or low‑fat cream cheese instead of heavy butter.
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For keto-friendly bulk, serve on zucchini noodles or spiralized squash.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Overcooking lobster: Turns tough—remove from heat once just opaque.
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Burning garlic: Garlic turns bitter in seconds—watch pan carefully.
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Under-seasoning: Seafood especially needs bold flavors—don’t skimp on salt and parsley.
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Skipping resting time: Letting seasoned lobster rest allows flavors to build as pan heats.
Conclusion
This Garlic Butter Lobster Medallions recipe proves gourmet cooking doesn’t have to be intimidating. With succulent lobster tails, rich garlic‑butter, and bright herbs, it delivers restaurant‑quality taste in just 25 minutes! Try it tonight, share your results in the comments, and explore more simple luxury recipes on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use frozen lobster tails?
Yes! Thaw in the fridge overnight or under cold running water to preserve texture.
Q: What if I don’t have fresh garlic?
Use ½ tsp garlic powder—but fresh adds unmatched flavor and aroma.
Q: How can I tell when lobster is done?
Meat turns from translucent to solid white with red edges. Avoid cooking beyond this point!
Q: Can I grill these instead of pan-searing?
Absolutely—grill about 3–4 minutes meat‑side down, then flip and baste with garlic butter.
Q: Is shell included edible?
Shell isn’t meant to be eaten, but cooking in-shell preserves moisture and adds flavor.
Q: Can I make the butter sauce ahead?
Yes—sauté garlic and parsley in butter, refrigerate up to 2 days, then reheat; toss lobster in it.
Garlic Butter Lobster Medallions – Easy Gourmet Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2–4 servings 1x
Description
Mouthwatering Garlic Butter Lobster Medallions seared in a skillet and basted with herbed butter. A 25-minute gourmet recipe perfect for seafood lovers!
Ingredients
4 lobster tails (6–8 oz each), thawed if frozen
3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
½ tsp paprika
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Pinch of sea salt
Optional squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Instructions
1. Slice the lobster tails lengthwise and lift the meat slightly from the shell.
2. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Melt 1 tbsp butter in a skillet and sauté garlic until aromatic.
4. Place lobster meat-side down and sear for 2–3 minutes.
5. Flip and reduce heat to low.
6. Add remaining butter and parsley; baste lobster for 1–2 minutes.
7. Optional: squeeze lemon juice on top.
8. Plate and drizzle pan sauce before serving.
Notes
Do not overcook the lobster; it should be opaque and tender.
Avoid burning garlic – cook on medium heat.
Use unsalted butter to control sodium levels.
Fresh parsley and lemon elevate flavor dramatically.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 lobster tails
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 135
Keywords: garlic butter lobster medallions, seafood skillet, gourmet lobster recipe, easy lobster tails