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Grilled Lobster Tails lathered in garlic butter are the definition of luxury made easy. Fancy enough for a celebration, yet simple enough for a weeknight dinner, this grilled lobster tails recipe is ready in under 20 minutes.
Whether you’re learning how to grill lobster tails for the first time or just craving something indulgent, this recipe delivers every time. Juicy, smoky, and drenched in rich garlic butter, these grilled lobster tails are guaranteed to wow your guests, or just treat yourself right.
What Makes These Grilled Lobster Tails Work
They look fancy, but they’re surprisingly fuss-free. Grilling lobster brings out a natural sweetness while adding a touch of smoky char that’s impossible to resist. Paired with garlic butter, every bite is rich, tender, and packed with flavor.
This grilled lobster tails is all about balance, simple ingredients, quick cooking time, and showstopping results.Whether you’re mastering how to grill lobster tails or already a seasoned pro, this recipe gives you juicy, restaurant-quality grilled lobster without the price tag or the pressure.
What Goes Into These Grilled Lobster Tails
Grilled Lobster Tails don’t need a long list of ingredients, just a few fresh, flavorful basics to make them shine. The real secret? That golden garlic butter.
- Lobster Tails: The star of the show. Choose fresh or frozen tails that are about 5–6 ounces each for the best texture and flavor.
- Butter: Melted and rich, it creates the perfect base for our garlic herb mixture.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds bold, savory depth to every bite.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens up the richness and balances the buttery flavor beautifully.
Note: Please see recipe card for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make These Grilled Lobster Tails
- Prep the Lobster: Using kitchen shears, cut through the top of each lobster tail shell lengthwise. Gently pull the meat upward, keeping it attached at the base, and rest it on top of the shell.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, chives, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. This rich, herby blend is the secret to big flavor.
- Season the Tails: Brush the lobster meat with olive oil and a light sprinkle of salt and pepper. Then spoon the garlic butter over each tail, coating the meat fully.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high, about 400°F (200°C). Lightly oil the grates or use a grill-safe pan to keep the lobster from sticking.
- Grill the Lobster: Place the lobster tail meat-side up on the grill. Close the lid and cook for 8-10 minutes, basting with more garlic butter halfway through.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer to a platter, drizzle with any remianing garlic butter, and garnish with extra parsley, chives and fresh lemon wedges.
A simple Cauliflower Fried Rice or creamy mashed potatoes makes a comforting base, soaking up every drop of that herby butter. For something brighter, try a crisp garden salad or grilled asparagus with lemon. Want to lean into the seafood theme? Pair with shrimp skewers or Creamy Tuscan scallops for a surf-style feast.
And don’t forget the bread, a warm Caprese Crostini With Grilled Avocado or slice of crusty sourdough is perfect for mopping up all that garlic butter goodness
Recipe FAQ’s
The meat should turn opaque and firm to the touch. A fully cooked lobster tail will also slightly curl and reach an internal temperature of 135–140°F (57–60°C).
Yes! If a grill isn’t available, broil them on high heat with the rack positioned in the center of your oven. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
Definitely. Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to the butter mixture for a spicier grilled lobster experience.
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Grilled Lobster Tails
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped, plus extra to garnish
- 1 tablespoon chives chopped, plus extra to garnish
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt plus extra to season
- 1 pinch black pepper a pinch to taste
- 4 lobster tails
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil for brushing
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes a pinch to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat.
- Using kitchen shears, cut top of lobster shell from meaty portion of tail. Using a knife, cut the lobster tail in half lengthwise through meat down the centre.
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon juice, herbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Brush lobster meat all over with oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Grill flesh side down until lightly charred, about 5-6 minutes. Flip lobster, brush meat with HALF of the garlic butter mixture. Cover with lid and grill until just cooked through, about 3-4 minutes more.
- Remove lobster from grill and season with a little extra salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Brush with remaining garlic butter and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Lobster tails are ready when the flesh is opaque and the shell turns bright orange. Try not to overcook your lobster, as the meat will become dry and tough.
- If you don’t have an outdoor BBQ, you can use an electric grill, stove top grill pan, or any other grill you have on hand.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made these for lunch with crayfish we had just caught. Chose this recipe because all previous recipes from Cafe Delites, that I have cooked, have been sensational. This recipe didn’t disappoint. Thankyou 😘
Looks delicious, I need to try this recipe! What do you like to serve with the lobster tails?
Baked potato and asparagus goes great with lobster tails