This recipe for grilled lobster tail is fresh lobster that’s cooked to tender perfection, then topped with garlic and herb butter. A simple 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 favorite seafood options include grilled tilapia, grilled shrimp skewers, grilled salmon and these delectable grilled lobster tails.
Lobster is the ultimate indulgence, and it’s even better when it’s topped with garlic, butter and herbs. These grilled lobster tails are so easy to make, yet look and taste like they came from a fancy restaurant.
Table of Contents
Grilled Lobster Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need lobster tails, olive oil, butter, garlic, parsley, salt, black pepper and lemon wedges.
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 perfect 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 best 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
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 easy to make as the steamed version. Another great option is to broil your lobster tails in the oven.
If you are using frozen lobster tails, they should be fully thawed before you put them on the grill.
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Flavor Variations
While this 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 Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning or fajita seasoning to your butter.
- Herbs: Swap out the parsley for chives, basil, dill or fresh thyme.
Once you try these grilled lobster tails, you’ll never want to eat this delicacy any other way! This recipe is easy enough for a busy weeknight, yet elegant enough to serve to company.
More Seafood Recipes You’ll Enjoy
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Crab Legs with Garlic Butter
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Grilled Lobster Tail Video
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Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
Grilled Lobster Tail
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
- Heat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium high heat.
- 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.
- Use your hands to flatten each tail. Place a wooden or metal skewer through the lobster meat in each tail.
- Brush each lobster tail with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Place the butter, garlic, parsley, and salt in a small bowl. Microwave in 20 second increments until butter is melted. Stir to combine.
- Place the lobster tails flesh side down on the grill. Cook for 5 minutes.
- 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.
- Sprinkle with additional parsley for garnish and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- 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.
- 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.
I was so pleased with the ease of this recipe and it was amazing!
Simple enough to do but wondering can a whole live lobster with legs and claws be thrown on grill too or should they be boiled?
You could try to do that but the smoky flavor of the grill wouldn’t be able to penetrate the meat with the shell intact.
This is dinner tonight, I know it’s going to be mouth watering delicious.. The ingredients alone tell me that it will be.. Waiting patiently. Hurry up!!
What A Great Recipe.
We Have Never Grilled Lobster Before Only Cooked In High Heat Oven.
What A Different Taste.
Really Brought Out The Grilled Flavor.
This Is Definitely The Recipe To Use.
I couldn’t be more pleased with the results of this recipe!! The video is what helped me the most.
I have actually NEVER cooked lobster tail, any kind of way, so grilling it for my first time even cooking it was 10xs more challenging. When I tell you it came out so moist, juicy, and flavorFULL!! … I AINT LYIN!! . I used a garlic butter spread that you would use on bread, along w/ salt & pepper, at about 300 degrees, 4 minutes per side. Perfection with a garlic butter dip.
I made this for my wife and kids and in-laws while visiting them at there home. No pressure huh. Turned out amazing and was really simple. Thank you
I wish I could get the recipe for the side pictured.
It’s an Israeli couscous pilaf mix from a box mixed with parsley, red peppers and corn!
My first time making lobster and they came out perfect! Thanks
Turned out amazing!!! Lobster meat was so tender and tasted as if it had been cooked in a restaurant! Thank you for this recipe!
These made an awesome birthday celebration!
These lobster tails are unbelievably good! We are so obsessed! Thanks so much for sharing!
I never knew how easy it would be grill lobster! We loved it!
Okay, this looks seriously incredible!
Served this for dinner last night and you’d think we were at a 5 star restaurant! Such a delicious, gourmet recipe that is easy too!
That looks really gorgeous and delicious!
Such an easy but fancy diner idea! Something different for special occasions!
This dinner is perfect for date nights. I have never thought about making it at home because I thought it was too challenging.
WOW!! Such an incredible meal!! LOVE THIS!
What a delicious treat… makes you feel like you’re out at a fancy restaurant!
This looks absolutely amazing!