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Garlic butter lobster sounds like one of those dishes you only order at restaurants, but my garlic butter lobster skillet is surprisingly easy to make at home!
Everything cooks quickly in one skillet, and the result is tender lobster bathed in golden garlic butter that is perfect with crusty bread to sop up all that flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion, date night at home, or just want to try something a little fancy, this lobster skillet delivers big, restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.
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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
Table of contents
Easy Garlic Butter Lobster Skillet
This garlic butter lobster skillet features tender lobster tails cooked in a rich, garlicky butter sauce with fresh lemon. It’s easy to make, but feels elegant. Its a restaurant-style seafood dinner perfect for special occasions or a cozy night in.
Check out my web story about this lobster skillet!
What You Need for Garlic Butter Lobster
To make this easy lobster skillet dinner we will need the following:
- Lobster meat – The star of the dish, tender and sweet with a rich, buttery texture that makes this skillet feel restaurant-quality.
- Celtic sea salt – Enhances the natural sweetness of the lobster without overpowering it.
- Unsalted butter – Forms the luxurious base of the sauce, adding richness and allowing full control over seasoning.
- Garlic – Adds bold, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with lobster and butter.
- Shallot – Brings a mild, slightly sweet onion flavor that deepens the sauce without overwhelming the lobster.
- Lemon zest – Adds brightness and a fresh citrus note that balances the richness of the butter.
- Dry white wine – Deglazes the pan and adds acidity and depth, keeping the sauce light and balanced.
- Fresh tarragon – Finishes the dish with a subtle anise-like, herbaceous note that complements seafood perfectly.
Garlic Butter Lobster Skillet Step by Step
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, we will use the following steps:
Soften Garlic & Shallot
Melt butter in large pan, add shallot and garlic. Cook 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
Add Wine
Pour in wine and lemon zest. Heat briefly.
Simmer Lobster
Stir in lobster and cook 3-5 minutes, until sauce has thickened and lobster is steaming hot.
Garnish & Serve
Garnish with tarragon, chives, parsley, or green onions.
Tips for a Perfect Lobster Skillet Dinner
Don’t overcook the lobster. Remove it as soon as the meat turns opaque and firm.
Pat the lobster dry first. This helps it cook evenly and prevents steaming.
Use medium heat. Too high and the butter can burn.
Add garlic after the lobster starts cooking. This keeps it fragrant, not bitter.
Baste often. Spoon the garlic butter over the lobster for maximum flavor.
What Lobster Meat To Use In Lobster Skillet
These lobster skillets are so easy because you can truly use any kind of lobster meat – I often use frozen pre-cooked picked lobster meat – which is the most economic choice for lobster meat.
While pre-cooked and frozen lobster meat isn’t the most luxurious choice (fresh is always best, obviously) – I live in Colorado in a rural area where finding fresh lobster that isn’t ridiculously expensive is pretty rare – so I have adapted this recipe to truly be knockout delicious no matter your budget or access to fresh fish.
Love Lobster? Check Out These Unforgettable Recipes
If you love this easy delicious garlic butter lobster skillet, please check out my other fabulously easy and delicious lobster recipes!
Click each link to get the easy printable recipe below:
- Broiled Lobster Tails – keto compatible
- Garlic Butter Broiled Lobster Tails – keto compatible
- Lobster Mac and Cheese
- Garlic Butter Naked Lobster Rolls
- Butter Poached Lobster Tails – keto compatible
- Easy Lobster Pasta Recipe
You can find my complete guide to lobster recipes here.
If you’re looking for a few other super easy, crazy impressive seafood recipes to wow your Valentine with, be sure to check out my Salmon Milanese, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, and my bang bang shrimp!
What to Serve With Lobster Skillet
Try these other favorite recipes:
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Garlic Butter Lobster Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb lobster meat, can be uncooked or cooked
- 1 teaspoons celtic sea salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large shallot, about 4 tbsp, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
Instructions
- In a large pan, melt 6 tbsp butter on medium heat.
- Add in garlic and shallots, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and soft – about 4 minutes.
- Stir in wine and increase heat to high.
- Stir in lobster meat and top with lemon zest, and tarragon.
- Cook to piping hot and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes. If you are using raw lobster it will cook in this time. Season with sea salt and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Garlic Lobster Skillet Questions Answered
Yes, this recipe is designed to use frozen lobster since we’re adding a lot of other flavors. Be sure to thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
Precooked and frozen lobster needs to just be heated to piping hot. If using fresh lobster, the meat should be opaque, firm, and white all the way through.
Absolutely. Increase cooking time since loose meat cooks faster than lobster tails.
Yes, this is one of the easiest ways to cook lobster at home.
Crusty bread, mashed potatoes, risotto, asparagus, or a simple salad all pair well.
More like this from Sweet C’s Designs
Why is the 6 tablespoons of butter divided in half, and then all 6 tablespoons are placed in the pan?
Good catch, I have updated it so it isn’t so confusing, it is all used together yes.
You say the diish need sea salt. But you never say when to add it.
You add it at the end, I updated the recipe card, thanks!