how long to cook lobster tail in oven

You’ll bake lobster tails in the oven for about 10–15 minutes, depending on size, at 350–400°F (175–205°C), until the meat is opaque and the internal temperature reaches about 135–140°F.
Quick Scoop
Ideal oven time and temp
- For standard 6–7 oz lobster tails: bake at 350°F for about 10–12 minutes.
- For slightly larger 8–10 oz tails: bake 12–15 minutes at 350°F.
- Another common method: bake at 400°F for about 12 minutes, loosely covered with foil, until the center of the meat hits about 140°F.
- Visual doneness cues: meat turns opaque white, looks firm (not jelly-like), and the shell is bright red.
Simple step‑by‑step
- Preheat oven to 350–400°F, depending on recipe.
- Butterfly or “piggyback” the tails (cut shell down the top and lift meat up onto the shell).
- Place on a baking sheet, brush with melted butter, lemon, and seasoning of your choice.
- Bake:
- 6–7 oz tails: 10–12 minutes at 350°F.
* 8–10 oz tails: 12–15 minutes at 350°F.
* Or 10–12 minutes at 400°F as in many home‑cook recipes.
- Check internal temperature in the thickest part: pull at 135–140°F.
- Rest 2 minutes, then baste with more melted butter and serve.
Time guide by method (oven only)
| Method | Oven Temp | Approx. Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gentle bake | 350°F | 10–12 min
(6–7 oz) 12–15 min (8–10 oz) | Even, hands‑off cooking; great for beginners. | [1]
| Hot bake / roast | 400°F | ~12 min for medium tails | Faster, slightly more caramelization on top. | [7][5]
| High‑heat bake / broil‑style | 500°F | 8–10 min | Very quick, watch closely to avoid overcooking. | [3]
Mini tips so you don’t overcook
- Always go by temperature and appearance, not just the clock; lobster overcooks fast and gets rubbery.
- Start checking a couple of minutes before the earliest time, especially with small tails.
- If using a broiler instead of regular bake, 4–6 minutes under high broil is typical for medium tails, placed a few inches from the element.
In early 2026, most popular recipes online still recommend the same ranges: roughly 10–15 minutes in the oven, depending on tail size and oven temperature, with an internal target of about 140°F.
TL;DR: For a typical 6–8 oz lobster tail, bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes (or 400°F for about the same time), and pull it as soon as the center hits 135–140°F and looks opaque.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.