Here is my go-to recipe for grilled lobster tails, with a simple garlic butter sauce, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon that makes these special enough for any celebration.
These grilled lobster tails have become our favorite summer dinner party dish. I like to prep everything ahead of time so I can enjoy hanging out with our guests. And trust me – once people try these, they’ll be asking you to make them again and again!
Why You’ll Love These Grilled Lobster Tails
- Quick preparation – Ready in less than 30 minutes, these grilled lobster tails are perfect for those nights when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Simple ingredients – You only need a handful of basic seasonings and some olive oil to make restaurant-quality lobster tails at home.
- Special occasion worthy – Perfect for date nights or celebrations, these grilled lobster tails bring the steakhouse experience right to your backyard.
- Fool-proof preparation – With straightforward seasoning and grilling instructions, you’ll get perfectly cooked, tender lobster every time – even if you’re new to cooking seafood.
What Kind of Lobster Tails Should I Use?
Rock lobster tails (also called spiny lobster) are perfect for grilling, but you can also use cold water Maine lobster tails in this recipe. Rock lobster meat tends to be a bit firmer and slightly less sweet than Maine lobster, but both types will give you great results on the grill. When shopping, look for tails that are frozen or previously frozen since most lobster tails at the store have been frozen for transport anyway. Just make sure the shells have a bright, clean color without any discoloration, and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. For the best grilling experience, choose tails that are similar in size so they’ll cook evenly.
Options for Substitutions
While some ingredients in this recipe are essential, there are a few swaps you can make if needed:
- Rock lobster tails: You can use Maine lobster tails instead of rock lobster. The cooking time might need to be adjusted slightly as Maine lobster tails tend to be more tender. Cold water tails generally need 1-2 minutes less cooking time than warm water tails.
- Olive oil: Feel free to use melted butter instead of olive oil, or try a mix of both. Avocado oil works well too since it has a high smoke point for grilling.
- White pepper: Black pepper can be used if you don’t have white pepper. The only difference will be visible black specks in your seasoning.
- Fresh lemon juice: While fresh is best, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch. You could also try lime juice for a different citrus kick.
- Garlic powder: If you’re out of garlic powder, you can use half the amount of granulated garlic, or finely mince one small fresh garlic clove.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling
The biggest mistake when grilling lobster tails is overcooking them, which turns the sweet, tender meat into a rubbery disappointment – cook them just until the meat turns opaque and reaches 140-145°F internal temperature, usually about 5-7 minutes per side. A common error is not butterflying the tails properly before grilling, so make sure to cut through the top shell and meat (but not through the bottom shell) to help them cook evenly and make basting easier. To prevent the tails from curling up on the grill, slide a skewer lengthwise through each tail, and remember to place them shell-side down first to protect the meat from direct heat. For the juiciest results, brush the meat with the seasoned oil mixture throughout cooking, and let the tails rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
What to Serve With Grilled Lobster Tails?
When it comes to serving grilled lobster tails, I like to keep the sides simple to let the sweet, tender meat shine. A classic combo is melted butter for dipping and lemon wedges for squeezing over the top. For the full steakhouse experience, pair your lobster with a baked potato loaded with all the fixings, or go lighter with some grilled asparagus tossed in olive oil and garlic. I also love serving a fresh green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance out the richness of the lobster – just make sure to keep the dressing simple so it doesn’t overpower the star of the show.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Once cooked, grilled lobster tails can stay in the fridge for up to 2 days when stored in an airtight container. I recommend enjoying them as soon as possible though, since seafood is always best fresh off the grill!
Prep Ahead: You can mix the marinade (lemon juice, olive oil, and seasonings) up to 24 hours in advance and keep it in the fridge. Just give it a good shake before using. However, I don’t suggest marinating the lobster tails for more than 30 minutes before grilling, as the acid from the lemon can start to cook the meat.
Serve Again: If you need to enjoy your leftover lobster tails, gently warm them in a pan with a touch of butter over low heat just until heated through. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can get tough. They’re also pretty good cold, chopped up in a seafood salad!
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-12 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-27 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1200-1400
- Protein: 60-70 g
- Fat: 100-120 g
- Carbohydrates: 0-5 g
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 rock lobster tails (10 ounces each)
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
First, gather all your ingredients.
In a small bowl, pour in the lemon juice and slowly whisk in the olive oil to create a base for your marinade.
Add salt, paprika, white pepper, and garlic powder, and continue to whisk until everything is well combined into a smooth marinade.
Step 2: Preheat the Grill
Before starting to cook, preheat your grill to high heat.
As it heats up, lightly oil the grate to ensure the lobster tails don’t stick during grilling.
Step 3: Prepare the Lobster Tails
Using a large knife, carefully split the lobster tails lengthwise.
Brush the flesh of each lobster tail with a generous amount of the marinade, ensuring they’re well-coated to enhance flavor during grilling.
Step 4: Grill the Lobster Tails
Place the prepared lobster tails flesh-side down on the preheated grill.
Cook them, turning once and basting frequently with the marinade, until they become opaque and firm to the touch.
This process should take about 10 to 12 minutes.
Be sure to discard any remaining marinade after basting.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once the lobster tails are perfectly cooked, remove them from the grill.
Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Enjoy your deliciously grilled lobster tails with your favorite sides for a complete meal!