Baked Lobster Recipe: Easy Garlic Butter Oven Classic 2026

Baked lobster is one of those dishes that looks impressive but comes together with surprisingly little effort. A whole lobster is split, brushed with garlic butter, roasted until just tender, then finished under the broiler with a crunchy breadcrumb and cheese topping.

The garlic butter does double duty here: it seasons the meat and keeps it juicy as it roasts. Because lobster is a special ingredient, timing matters more than anything else. Ten minutes in a hot oven plus five minutes under the broiler is all it needs.

Serve it hot with a green salad, mayonnaise and a squeeze of lemon, and you have a celebration-worthy main course on the table in about 25 minutes.

Ingredients for Baked Lobster

This recipe makes 2 servings.

• 1 lobster, about 800 g (1¾ lb)
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 30 g (2 tbsp) butter
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 bunch of parsley
• 1 tbsp breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp grated cheese

How to Make Baked Lobster Step by Step

1. Preheat the Oven and Split the Lobster

Before you start preparing the lobster, preheat the oven to 200 °C (400 °F) with the fan setting on. Prepare 1 lobster of about 800 g for roasting: remove the small legs and the claws, twisting them gently until they separate from the body. With a sharp knife, cut the lobster first along the outer side, down to the head, then do the same on the inner side. To finish splitting it completely in two, use kitchen scissors. Set the legs aside to make a fumet or add them to a rice dish, and give the claws a few taps with a mallet or a ladle so they open slightly and cook better in the oven along with the rest of the lobster.

2. Season the Lobster

Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper over the lobster meat, first removing the intestinal tract where dirt accumulates.

3. Make the Garlic Butter

Prepare the garlic butter. To do this, put 30 g of room-temperature butter in a bowl, grate 2 garlic cloves and add them, then add 1 bunch of finely chopped parsley. Mix well until you have a smooth, homogeneous mixture.

4. Coat and Roast the Lobster

Place the lobster in an oven-safe dish and spread a layer of the garlic butter over the top, making sure to distribute it evenly. Also brush the claws on the open side so the flavor penetrates inside. Take the tray to the oven and bake the lobster for 10 minutes at 200 °C (400 °F). If the lobster is larger, add one more minute of cooking time.

5. Add the Crust and Broil

Meanwhile, mix 1 tbsp breadcrumbs with 1 tbsp grated cheese in a bowl. After the first 10 minutes of roasting, cover the lobster meat with the bread and cheese mixture. Switch the oven to the broiler setting and place the tray on the top rack. Broil for 5 more minutes, until the surface is golden and crisp.

6. Serve Immediately

Serve the baked lobster as soon as it comes out of the oven, optionally accompanied by mayonnaise and lemon.

Tips for the Best Baked Lobster

Watch the Cooking Time Closely

Because lobster is such a special ingredient, it is essential to pay attention to how it cooks. Respecting the times is key to getting succulent, juicy meat, since overcooking can make it rubbery. You will know the lobster is perfectly done when the meat pulls away easily from the shell.

Let the Garlic Butter Shine

This recipe uses a garlic butter that highlights the flavor of the seafood. Halfway through cooking, the lobster is broiled with a breadcrumb and cheese mixture, creating an irresistible crunchy texture.

Serve It Like a Celebration

Served with a green salad, mayonnaise and a touch of lemon, this dish becomes a true delight to enjoy at any celebration.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything—cozy comfort classics, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I'll reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this sophisticated Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

Come breakfast time or when I'm after a lighter bite, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean-inspired spreads, I'll bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion calls for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is a favorite of mine to serve.

Hearty midday meals and slow, cozy suppers are where these shine: the warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Craving something even more substantial? I'll bake up this hearty Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultimate comfort plate, this French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

When street-food cravings hit or I'm feeding a crowd, out come this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, boldly seasoned Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These fuss-free Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make a great little appetizer or snack.

And when I'm mixing drinks and planning a whole spread for company, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To tie the whole meal together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

These are the recipes I find myself making over and over—whether it's a fast solo meal or a festive spread for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the beloved Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture really helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and effortless, I'll typically make the traditional Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. When I want a heartier comfort dish, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner, this One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes rooted in tradition from all over the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's classic Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture without eating up time. My regular lineup includes the Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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