Imagine the most succulent, tender lobster tail, kissed by smoky grill marks and blanketed in a rich, aromatic garlic butter. That’s exactly what you’ll get with this Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter—an easy yet totally impressive dish that turns any meal into a celebration!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant-Quality at Home: Indulge in a dish that feels ultra-luxurious, with fresh lobster tails cooked just right in your own kitchen or backyard.
- That Irresistible Garlic Butter: The deeply flavorful garlic butter seeps into every crevice of the lobster meat, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- Surprisingly Simple: Don’t be fooled—this showstopping Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter comes together with only a handful of ingredients and a few quick steps.
- Perfect for Special Occasions (or Wednesdays!): Whether it’s date night, an anniversary, or just treating yourself, lobster tails on the grill always feel festive and fun.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe leans on just a few star ingredients, letting the sweet, briny flavor of lobster shine beautifully beneath that dreamy garlic butter. Here’s what each component brings to your dish:
- Lobster Tails: Fresh or thawed lobster tails are the foundation—tender, rich, and perfectly suited for grilling.
- Unsalted Butter: Butter forms the rich base of our garlic topping; it melts over the lobster, making the meat silky and flavorful.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon wedges add a zesty brightness and help cut the richness of the butter.
- Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the butter with pungent, aromatic depth that lingers on the palate.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped parsley brings a pop of green and a subtle herbal freshness.
- Kosher Salt: Salt sharpens every flavor, ensuring the lobster sings.
- Vegetable or Olive Oil: A brush of oil helps the meat stay juicy and gives gorgeous grill marks.
Variations
Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter is a classic, but you can easily personalize it. Don’t be afraid to switch things up to suit your taste, pantry, or any dietary needs—these tweaks keep things exciting every time you fire up the grill!
- Herb Lover’s Twist: Try swapping parsley for chopped fresh dill or basil, or add a sprinkle of tarragon for a totally unique herbal note.
- Spicy Garlic Butter: For a little heat, stir a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika into your butter mixture.
- Citrus Infusion: Mix in some orange or lime zest to the butter for a slightly exotic, sunshiny finish.
- Dairy-Free Variation: Use a good quality plant-based butter substitute so everyone can enjoy this special meal.
How to Make Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter
Step 1: Thaw and Prep the Lobster
If your lobster tails are frozen, place them on a plate in the fridge overnight to thaw completely. Once thawed, gently pat them dry with paper towels—this ensures that the seasoning and oil stick well and helps you get a good sear on the grill.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter
Let your unsalted butter come to room temperature for dreamily easy mixing. Finely mince the garlic and chop your parsley. In a small bowl, mash the softened butter together with the garlic, parsley, and half the salt until everything smells totally irresistible. Set aside and resist the urge to sneak a taste!
Step 3: Butterfly and Prepare the Lobster Tails
With kitchen shears, cut lengthwise along the top shell of each tail, stopping short of the bottom. Carefully loosen the meat from the shell with your fingers (go gently!), then lift and lay the lobster meat back over the shell. Slice along the top of the meat without cutting all the way through to help it cook evenly and “open up” for maximum garlic butter coverage.
Step 4: Preheat and Oil the Grill
Heat your grill to medium—about 350 to 400ºF. While it heats, scrub the grates if needed. Brush the exposed lobster meat lightly with vegetable or olive oil and sprinkle on the rest of your kosher salt for the first layer of seasoning.
Step 5: Grill and Baste with Garlic Butter
Place the lobster tails flesh-side down over the hottest part of the grill. Cover and let them cook for about 5 minutes, just until you see beautiful char lines. Flip the lobster over, slather on your garlic butter, and close the lid again. Cook another 3–5 minutes, until the lobster is opaque and the butter melts all over, mingling with the sweet, briny meat.
Step 6: Finish and Serve
Your Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter should be juicy, slightly firm, and register 135–140ºF in the thickest part. Transfer them carefully to a platter, spoon over any remaining butter, and serve immediately with plenty of lemon wedges.
Pro Tips for Making Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter
- Check for Doneness with a Thermometer: Lobster is done when the thickest part reaches 135–140ºF—using a digital thermometer takes out the guesswork and prevents overcooked rubbery tails.
- Master the Shell Cut: Cutting through just the top of the shell (not all the way through) makes it easy to lift out the meat and ensures gorgeous presentation every time.
- Garlic Butter Timing: Add the butter after the flip; this way, it melts into the warm meat instead of dripping straight onto the grates.
- Let the Butter Shine: Use good-quality butter, and don’t skimp on fresh garlic or herbs—little upgrades here make a world of flavor difference in Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter.
How to Serve Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra fresh parsley and a few twists of black pepper right before serving make these lobster tails pop visually and add herbal freshness. Don’t forget lemon wedges on the side—guests love squeezing a little citrus right over the luscious garlic butter.
Side Dishes
Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter pairs beautifully with simple sides that let the lobster be the star—think steamed asparagus, a fresh garden salad, roasted baby potatoes, or even a light angel hair pasta tossed in olive oil and more herbs.
Creative Ways to Present
For extra wow-factor, fan the lobster tails on a platter over a bed of sea salt and lemon slices, or serve each tail piled atop warm, grilled bread. For summer gatherings, serve individual lobster tails with tiny metal ramekins of garlic butter for dipping, and plenty of colorful napkins!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store the cooked lobster tails in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep any leftover garlic butter in a separate small jar so you can reheat and drizzle it over when serving again.
Freezing
Cooked lobster tail freezes reasonably well if sealed tightly—wrap each piece in plastic, then foil, and freeze for up to a month. For the best flavor and texture, thaw in the fridge and very gently reheat, avoiding the microwave when possible.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a covered dish in a low oven (around 275°F) with a splash of water or extra butter for moisture. Slice the tails if you’d like them to reheat faster and be careful not to overcook, keeping that juicy texture front and center.
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen lobster tails for Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw them completely overnight in the refrigerator before prepping. This ensures the meat cooks evenly and absorbs all the wonderful garlic butter flavors.
-
What’s the best way to cut the lobster shell for grilling?
Use sharp kitchen shears to cut along the top of the shell, starting at the fatter end and stopping before the tail tip. Gently pry the meat out to rest on top of the shell for both beautiful presentation and perfectly even cooking.
-
Do I have to grill lobster tails, or can I broil them instead?
While grilling gives you that signature smokiness and gorgeous char, you can absolutely broil the tails in your oven—just keep an eye on them, as they cook quickly under the broiler and you don’t want to overdo it.
-
How do I know when Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter is done?
The lobster should be opaque and firm, not translucent. For best results, use an instant-read thermometer; the internal temp should register 135–140ºF. Cooking too long will make the lobster rubbery, so keep a close watch!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried making Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter at home, there’s truly no time like the present. Whether grilling for a special occasion or just an ordinary night, this recipe transforms dinner into something magical. Gather your ingredients, fire up the grill, and get ready for a dish that’s as joyful to share as it is to savor!
Print
Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Grilling
- Method: Grilling
Description
Learn how to make delicious Grilled Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter at home. This recipe is perfect for a special occasion or a fancy dinner night. The combination of juicy lobster meat and savory garlic butter will surely impress your guests.
Ingredients
Lobster Tail:
- 4 (6 to 8-ounce) lobster tails, thawed if frozen
- 1 teaspoon vegetable or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
Garlic Butter:
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 medium lemon
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Thaw the lobster: If the lobster tails are frozen, place on a plate or baking sheet and refrigerate overnight to thaw.
- Soften the butter: Place unsalted butter in a small bowl and let sit at room temperature until softened.
- Heat the grill: Heat an outdoor grill to medium heat, 350ºF to 400ºF. Meanwhile, prepare the garlic butter and lobster.
- Prepare the garlic butter and lemon wedges: Cut the lemon into wedges. Chop garlic, parsley, and add to softened butter with salt.
- Cut the lobster shells: Pat dry lobster tails and cut lengthwise through the top shell.
- Loosen the meat from the shell: Pry the meat away from the shell gently.
- Split the meat: Cut the tail meat in half lengthwise.
- Grill the first side: Brush lobster meat with oil, season with salt, and grill flesh-side down.
- Grill the second side with garlic butter: Flip tails, add garlic butter, grill until cooked through, and butter is melted.
