For years, we have been perfecting the art of grilling different types of seafood. From grilled oysters to buttery grilled scallops, and even the best grilled crab legs. So, we knew it was time to do some testing to get the most amazing, tender grilled lobster tail recipe. This is it! Basted and served with the most delicious garlic butter, it has quickly become one of our all-time favorite grilling recipes. Just follow our step-by-step instructions to easily make it yourself!
Have You Ever Tried Grilling Shrimp?
It is one of the fastest and easiest protein options to grill, just follow our tutorial on how to grill shrimp and you will be a pro in no time!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
- lobster tails – obviously this is THE key ingredient for this recipe. If you are using frozen lobster tails, be sure to let them sit in cold water to fully thaw before prepping to cook.
- butter – a MUST when cooking seafood and it can easily be swapped out for a plant-based butter to make it dairy-free.
- fresh herbs – we used fresh parsley and chives and highly recommend to use fresh over dried, if you have them!
How To Prepare Lobster Tails
How To Grill Lobster Tails
A couple key things to remember, is that the grill should be preheated to a high heat, the grill grates clean, and rubbed with olive oil or sprayed with a non-stick spray!
How Long Do You Grill Lobster Tails?
The official cook time varies by size. A lobster tail should be cooked for about 1 minute per ounce. Therefore, a 4oz lobster tail (shown here) will cook for about 4 minutes. Be sure to examine the lobster meat after the estimated cook time to make sure it is firm and no longer translucent. Option to use an instant read thermometer to make sure the internal temperature is above 140 degrees F.
How To Eat Cooked Lobster Tails
These epic lobster tails can simply be served with a small dish of the garlic butter mixture for dipping and a few lemon wedges to get a fresh squeeze of lemon juice on top! And if you are looking for a side dish, try our grilled potato wedges or grilled asparagus. Or simply remove the buttery lobster meat to make a delicious lobster salad or lobster pasta!
Make Dinner a Surf & Turf
Serve up these grilled lobster tails with some perfectly grilled steaks to really make a dinner that will impress!
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Grilled Lobster Tails Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Grill + Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
Our epic Grilled Lobster Tails recipe will be a show-stopper at your next cookout and can be enjoyed in so many different ways!
Ingredients
Garlic Herb Butter:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, (sub plant-based)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves
Lobster Tails:
- 4 (4 – 5oz) whole lobster tails, thawed
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Butter Mixture: Put all of the Garlic Herb Butter ingredients in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat on the stove top. Mix occasionally until butter is fully melted and then turn the heat down to keep warm.
- Prep Lobster Tails: Pat the thawed tails dry with paper towels. Place them on a cutting board and use sharp kitchen scissors to cut down the top, middle of the lobster tail shell. Repeat with each tail and flip them over. Firmly press down at several points on the bottom of the tail until you hear a crack. Turn the tail back over and use your fingers to move the lobster meat up an off the bottom of the tail but keeping it attached at the base. Gently lift the tail meat up and set it on top of the shell. Repeat this process with all of the lobster tails.
- Oil + Season: Place all of the prepped lobster tails on a sheet pan. Brush olive oil on the lobster meat and season with salt and pepper.
- Prep Grill: Preheat the grill to a medium-high heat and clean the grill grates. Right before cooking, spray the hot grates with a non-stick cooking spray. Bring the melted butter mixture out to the grill with you for basting.
- Grill Lobster: Place the prepared lobster tails, with the lobster meat down, directly on the hot grates. Close the lid and let cook for about 1 minute per ounce (i.e. 4 minutes for a 4oz lobster tail). Flip the tails over, so the shell in now on the grates with the meat on top. Brush the lobster meat with the warm, melted butter mixture. Close the lid and let them cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from the grill.
- Serve: Enjoy the lobster tails with a small dish of the Garlic Herb Butter mixture for dipping!
Notes
- Dairy Free: simply use plant-based butter.
- Serving Suggestion: feel free to enjoy these buttery grilled tails by themselves or use them to make our delicious Lobster Salad!
- No grill? No problem! Try our Butter Poached Lobster!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tail
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 354.8 mg
- Fat: 15.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.9 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 14.1 g
- Cholesterol: 136.4 mg
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