Grilled Lobster Tail Recipe

This incredibly tender Grilled Lobster Tail is pure seafood perfection in just 22 minutes. Bathed in a garlicky lemon butter sauce with a hint of smoky paprika, these succulent tails cook up beautifully on the grill for a restaurant-quality meal right in your backyard. It’s surprisingly simple to prepare yet guaranteed to impress at your next dinner party or special date night at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Lobster tails: The star of the show, providing that sweet, succulent meat that’s a true delicacy. Fresh is fantastic, but frozen works wonderfully too.
• Olive oil: Creates a protective barrier on the lobster meat while adding subtle flavor and preventing sticking on the grill.
• Sea salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the lobster’s natural flavors without overpowering them.
• Butter: Forms the base of our sauce, bringing richness and that luxurious mouthfeel that pairs perfectly with lobster. Unsalted allows better control of the overall saltiness.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and warmth to the butter sauce – freshly crushed is always best for maximum flavor.
• Lemon juice: Provides bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the butter and complements the sweetness of the lobster meat.
• Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness that enhances the grilled flavor without overwhelming the delicate lobster.
• Cayenne pepper: Just a pinch adds the perfect amount of heat that builds gently in the background.

Variations

Herb Lovers

Add 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped herbs like parsley, chives, or tarragon to the butter sauce for a garden-fresh twist.

Surf and Turf

Serve alongside a perfectly grilled ribeye or filet mignon for the ultimate special occasion meal.

Indoor Option

No grill? Use a cast-iron grill pan on your stovetop to achieve similar results with beautiful grill marks.

Spice It Up

Double the cayenne pepper and add a splash of hot sauce to the butter mixture for a kicked-up version with more heat.

How to Make Grilled Lobster Tail

Step 1: Prepare the Lobster

If using frozen tails, thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight or place in a sealed bag submerged in cold water for about 30 minutes. Preheat your grill to medium heat for about 15 minutes (or a grill pan for 5 minutes).

Step 2: Butterfly the Tails

Using kitchen shears, cut lengthwise down the center of each shell starting from the end opposite the tail fins. Cut through the top shell only, stopping just before the tail fin. With a sharp knife, cut along the center of the meat without cutting through the bottom shell. Gently spread the shell open and run a skewer through the center of the meat to prevent curling during cooking.

Step 3: Season the Lobster

Brush the exposed lobster meat with olive oil, ensuring even coverage. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 4: Prepare the Butter Sauce

In a small bowl, combine melted butter, crushed garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Whisk thoroughly until well combined and set aside.

Step 5: Grill Flesh Side Down

Place the prepared lobster tails on the preheated grill with the flesh side down. Allow to cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until the flesh begins to brown and is almost cooked through.

Step 6: Flip and Finish

Carefully flip the tails over and brush generously with half of the garlic butter mixture. Close the grill lid and continue cooking for an additional 2-4 minutes (for 8-ounce tails) until the meat is opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 140-145°F.

Step 7: Serve

Remove the tails from the grill, drizzle with the remaining garlic butter sauce, and serve immediately while hot.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

Serve your grilled lobster tail with drawn butter on the side for dipping, alongside grilled asparagus and a baked potato for a classic steakhouse experience at home.

Elegant Presentation

Place each tail on a warmed plate, remove the skewer, and garnish with fresh lemon wedges and chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color.

Wine Pairing

A crisp Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc beautifully complements the richness of the lobster and brightness of the lemon butter sauce.

Make Ahead and Storage

Preparing in Advance

You can butterfly the lobster tails and prepare the garlic butter sauce up to 24 hours ahead of time. Keep the prepared tails covered in the refrigerator and the sauce in a separate container. Bring both to room temperature about 20 minutes before grilling.

Storing Leftovers

While best enjoyed fresh off the grill, leftover lobster meat can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Remove from the shells for easier storage.

Reheating

Gently reheat leftover lobster meat in a skillet with a bit of butter over low heat just until warmed through. Avoid microwave reheating which can make the meat tough and rubbery.

FAQs

How do I know when my lobster tail is done cooking?
Perfectly cooked lobster meat should be firm, opaque (no longer translucent), and white with some red or pink accents. It should reach an internal temperature of 140-145°F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, the meat should pull away from the shell easily and be firm to the touch but not rubbery.

Can I use frozen lobster tails for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen lobster tails work wonderfully for this recipe and are often more readily available than fresh. Just ensure they’re completely thawed before grilling. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results, or use the cold water method mentioned in the recipe for quicker thawing.

What’s the best way to butterfly a lobster tail?
Using sharp kitchen shears, cut through the top shell only, from the meat end toward the tail fin, stopping just before the fin. Then use a sharp knife to cut through the meat along the same line without cutting through the bottom shell. Gently spread the shell open with your thumbs and fingers. The meat should remain attached at the tail end but sit beautifully on top of the shell.

Can I make this recipe if I don’t have a grill?
Definitely! A cast-iron grill pan on your stovetop works beautifully. Alternatively, you can broil the tails in your oven. Place them on a baking sheet about 6 inches from the heat source and broil for 5-10 minutes (depending on size) until cooked through, brushing with the garlic butter halfway through.

Grilled lobster tail is the ultimate seafood indulgence that’s surprisingly accessible for home cooks. With this straightforward method, you’ll create tender, succulent lobster bathed in flavored butter that rivals any fine dining establishment. Whether it’s for a special celebration or simply because you deserve a treat, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. Fire up the grill and prepare to amaze yourself and your lucky dinner companions with this spectacular yet simple seafood masterpiece!

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