Grilled Lobster Tail: a weeknight method

This recipe for grilled lobster tail is fresh lobster that’s cooked to tender perfection, then topped with garlic and herb butter. A unfussy yet elegant meal option that’s sure to get rave reviews from family and friends.

I love to grill during the warmer weather months. Some of my go-to seafood options include grilled tilapia, grilled shrimp skewers, grilled salmon and these delectable grilled lobster tails.

Lobster is the signature indulgence, and it’s even better when it’s topped with garlic, butter and herbs. These grilled lobster tails are so straightforward to make, yet look and taste like they came from a fancy restaurant.

Enjoy this lobster tails with great side dishes like garlic mashed potatoes, angel hair pasta with garlic and herbs and grilled asparagus.

Grilled Lobster Ingredients

To make this recipe, you will need lobster tails, olive oil, butter, garlic, parsley, salt, black pepper and lemon wedges. See the recipe card at the bottom of this page for amounts and details.

How To Prepare Lobster Tail

Start by choosing lobster tails that are similar in size so that they cook at the same rate. Use sharp kitchen shears to cut down the lobster shell at top of each tail. Place a knife into the cut you made, then cut through the lobster flesh, stopping when you hit the bottom shell. Use your hands to flatten the cut lobster tail. Place a wood or metal skewer through the lobster meat, which will keep it from curling up as it cooks. This cutting technique will allow for the lobster meat to make direct contact with the grill, which gives it more of that great smoky flavor.

How Do You Make Grilled Lobster Tail?

Cut the lobster tails as described above, then brush them with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Place the lobster flesh side down on the grill, and cook it for 5 minutes. Flip the lobster over, and add a spoonful of melted butter flavored with garlic and herbs. Serve the lobster immediately and enjoy. Don’t forget the lemon wedges, as the fresh lemon juice really makes the flavor of the lobster pop!

Tips For The Reliable Lobster

• You can use any type of lobster for this recipe. I typically use Maine lobster, but you can use a warm water spiny lobster if you prefer. I find that fresh lobster tails have the finest flavor, but frozen lobster tails will also work well.
• I recommend serving lobster immediately after it comes off the grill. Lobster can get tough when reheated.
• You can use a charcoal grill, gas grill or an indoor grill pan on the stove top for this recipe.
• Serve your lobster with lemon wedges and fresh parsley for garnish. For a really fancy meal, add some steak for a surf and turf offering.
• I like to serve my lobster with a variety of side dishes such as grilled vegetables, quinoa salad or baked potato wedges.
• Leftover lobster? Try using it to make a lobster roll, lobster salad or lobster mac and cheese.

Quick Tip

Lobster tails are done when the shell turns red and the flesh is opaque. It’s important not to overcook your lobster, so use both the visual cues and the suggested cook times.

Recipe FAQs

Is lobster better steamed or grilled?

I prefer to grill lobster rather than steam it. When you steam lobster, it can get a little water logged which dilutes the flavor of the meat. Grilled lobster has a lot more flavor, and is just as straightforward to make as the steamed version. Another great option is to broil your lobster tails in the oven.

Do you thaw lobster before grilling?

If you use frozen lobster tails, you should fully thaw the tails before you put them on the grill.

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Flavor Variations

While this lobster dish is fabulous as-is, you can customize the ingredients to suit your tastes.

• Seasonings: Amp up the flavor by adding 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning or fajita seasoning to your butter.
• Herbs: Swap out the parsley for chives, basil, dill or fresh thyme.
• Spicy: For spicy lobster tails, when you brush your lobster tails with olive oil, sprinkle on a little Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper.

Once you try these grilled lobster tails, you’ll never want to eat this delicacy any other way! This recipe is straightforward enough for a busy weeknight, yet elegant enough to serve to company.

More Seafood Recipes You’ll Enjoy

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Grilled Lobster Tail Video

Love This Recipe?

Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

Add as Google preferred source Authorthe Makdob kitchen This recipe for grilled lobster tail is fresh lobster that's cooked to tender perfection, then topped with garlic and herb butter. A unfussy yet elegant meal option that's sure to get rave reviews from family and friends. Time Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time25 minutes

Course Main
Cuisine American
Serves 6

Ingredients

• 6 lobster tails 7-8 ounces each
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced parsley plus more for garnish
• salt and pepper to taste
• lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Heat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium high heat.
2. Use kitchen shears to cut down the top of each lobster tail. Use a sharp knife to slice down the cut area, all the way through the flesh of the lobster, but not through the bottom shell.
3. Use your hands to flatten each tail. Place a wooden or metal skewer through the lobster meat in each tail.
4. Brush each lobster tail with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
5. Place the butter, garlic, parsley, and salt in a small bowl. Microwave in 20 second increments until butter is melted. Stir to combine.
6. Place the lobster tails flesh side down on the grill. Cook for 5 minutes.
7. Flip the tails over and drizzle the garlic butter over the top of each one. Grill for another 4-5 minutes or until lobster meat is opaque.
8. Sprinkle with additional parsley for garnish and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

1. Lobster tails are done when the shell turns red and the flesh is opaque. It’s important not to overcook your lobster, so use both the visual cues and the suggested cook times.
2. I recommend serving lobster immediately after it comes off the grill. Lobster can get tough when reheated.
3. You can use a charcoal grill, gas grill or an indoor grill pan on the stove top for this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal
| Protein: 10g
| Fat: 9g
| Saturated Fat: 6g
| Cholesterol: 105mg
| Sodium: 447mg
| Potassium: 126mg
| Vitamin A: 335IU
| Calcium: 56mg
| Iron: 0.2mg
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