Grilled Lobster Tails
Butterflied lobster tails basted with garlic butter on a hot grill for sweet, smoky, melt-in-your-mouth shellfish that looks like a million bucks.
- Cook temp
- 400°F
- 204°C · preheat
- Total time
- 18 min
- 10 prep · 8 cook · 2 rest
- Flip at
- 5 min
- of 8 min cook
- Pull at
- 140°F
- USDA safe minimum
Grilled Lobster Tail | Recipe for Lobster on the Grill by Malcom Reed HowToBBQRIght · HowToBBQRight
Malcom Reed shows how to split and lift lobster meat onto the shell before grilling over direct heat with garlic butter.
- Target //Cook at Medium-High Heat (400°F / 204°C) for 18 mins (flip at 5 mins).
- Doneness //Pull when internal temperature reaches 140°F (USDA safe minimum). Rest 2 mins before slicing.
- Golden Rule //Grilled lobster tails are the ultimate dad flex at a cookout. They cost less than you think when you buy them frozen and thaw overnight in the fridge. The butterflying takes 30 seconds per tail and makes you look like you trained at Le Cordon Bleu.
- Family Tweak //Remove the meat from the shell and cut into bite-sized chunks. Serve with melted butter for dipping instead of garlic butter.
Ingredients
- 4 piecesLobster Tails, 6 to 8 oz each
- 4 tbspUnsalted Butter
- 3 clovesGarlic Cloves, minced
- 1 tbspLemon Juice
- 1 tbspFresh Parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tspPaprika
- 1/4 tspKosher Salt
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Get to the point
- 1
Butterfly lobster tails by cutting through the top shell with kitchen shears and pulling meat up to rest on top of the shell.
- 2
Brush with garlic butter, season with paprika, salt, and a squeeze of lemon.
- 3
Grill meat-side down for 2 minutes, flip shell-side down and baste with more garlic butter for 5 to 6 minutes until opaque and 140°F.
- 4
Serve immediately with lemon wedges and remaining garlic butter for dipping.
Step by step
Tap a step to cross it offButterfly the Tails
Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the top shell of 4 lobster tails (6 to 8 oz each), stopping at the tail fin. Gently pull the shell apart and lift the meat up so it sits on top of the shell. Press the shell halves together underneath the meat.
WhyButterflying looks impressive but is dead simple. One cut and a lift. The meat sitting on top of the shell keeps it off the grates and prevents sticking.
Make Garlic Butter & Season
Melt 4 tbsp butter in a small saucepan. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Brush the lobster meat generously with garlic butter and season with 1/2 tsp paprika and a pinch of salt.
WhyReserve half the garlic butter for basting on the grill and for serving alongside.
Grill to Perfection
Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400°F / 204°C). Place tails meat-side down for 2 minutes to get grill marks. Flip shell-side down and baste with garlic butter every 2 minutes. Grill for 5 to 6 more minutes until meat is opaque white and internal temperature reaches 140°F.
WhyLobster goes from perfect to rubbery in about 60 seconds. Watch it like a hawk and pull at 140°F, not a degree more.
Serve Immediately
Remove tails from the grill and let rest for 2 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges and a small bowl of remaining garlic butter for dipping.
WhyThis is a meal that gets eaten the second it hits the table. Do not let grilled lobster sit around.
- Dad pro tip
- Grilled lobster tails are the ultimate dad flex at a cookout. They cost less than you think when you buy them frozen and thaw overnight in the fridge. The butterflying takes 30 seconds per tail and makes you look like you trained at Le Cordon Bleu.
- Kid & toddler adjustment
- Remove the meat from the shell and cut into bite-sized chunks. Serve with melted butter for dipping instead of garlic butter.
- Serve with
- Grilled corn on the cob · Coleslaw · Garlic bread
- Reheating
- Lobster is best fresh but can be gently reheated in a 300°F (149°C) oven for 5 minutes with a splash of butter. Do not microwave.
- Calories
- 310
- Protein
- 36 g
- Carbs
- 2 g
- Fat
- 18 g
Nutrition source: USDA FoodData Central #174204. Cook-time basis: Gas or charcoal grill over direct medium-high heat (400°F / 204°C); ThermoWorks instant-read verification to 140°F in the thickest part of the tail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you reheat leftover grilled lobster tails without ruining the texture?
Lobster is best fresh but can be gently reheated in a 300°F (149°C) oven for 5 minutes with a splash of butter. Do not microwave.
What is the target internal temperature for this recipe?
Confirm internal core temperature reaches 140°F using an instant-read digital probe thermometer inserted into the thickest part. Allow the meat to rest for 2 minutes before slicing to let carryover heat equalize and lock in juices.
How do I adapt this meal for picky kids or toddlers?
Remove the meat from the shell and cut into bite-sized chunks. Serve with melted butter for dipping instead of garlic butter.
What are the best side dishes to serve with this?
Recommended sides include Grilled corn on the cob, Coleslaw, Garlic bread.