At first, it might seem hard to grill lobster tail, but once you know how, you’ll see how quick and easy it is to make this tasty dinner.
If you want to make a really fancy meal for a romantic date night or a special event, nothing beats grilled lobster.
Our promise is to keep your secret safe—we won’t tell your partner how easy it is to make!
For a great lobster dinner at home, don’t go to a fancy restaurant. Instead, go to the store.
It was even fed to prisoners and servants for a long time because it was thought to be a low-class food. Can you imagine that?.
While America was still a colony, lobster was so common and easy to catch that it was often used as bait. It was not until the mid-19th century that lobster began to be considered a luxury food.
It made it easier to transport lobsters inland, where they were not as common and therefore more prized.
Rich tourists who visited coastal areas and liked eating lobster as a gourmet food also helped spread the word.
Today, overfishing has made lobster harder to find and more expensive, which is another reason for its high price and status as a delicacy.
Lobster tails are a delicious and luxurious seafood treat that can be grilled to perfection with just a few simple steps. Grilling lobster tails is actually quite easy once you know the basics and requires minimal effort for an impressive gourmet meal. In this comprehensive guide we will walk through everything you need to know as a beginner to grill a perfect 4 oz lobster tail.
Lobster tails are the tapered abdomens of lobsters that are separated from the body. The tail meat is tender and sweet, with a delicious briny seafood flavor. Lobster tails are sold already split along the bottom shell, with the meat partially exposed. Common sizes range from 3-5 ounces for a single tail. The 4 oz size provides a hearty portion for one person when paired with side dishes.
Lobster was not always the luxury food item that it is today. In colonial America, lobster was so abundant that it was considered a poverty food, fed to prisoners and servants. Its status shifted as railroads expanded across the country in the mid-1800s, making lobster more accessible inland where it was less common. Wealthy tourists visiting coastal regions further popularized lobster as a delicacy.
Today, overfishing has made lobster more scarce keeping prices high. Elevated demand makes it a perfect choice for special occasions and romantic dinners. The good news is grilling lobster tails at home is simple and budget-friendly compared to dining out. Now let’s get into the step-by-step process!
Needed Supplies
Grilling lobster tails requires minimal equipment that you likely already have in your kitchen:
- Lobster tails – 4 oz size, thawed
- Basting brush
- Tongs
- Small knife or kitchen shears
- Mixing bowl
- Aluminum foil
- Gas or charcoal grill
- Meat thermometer
You’ll also need ingredients for herb garlic butter basting sauce:
- Butter – unsalted
- Lemon – juice and sliced
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh herbs like parsley, tarragon, chives
- Salt, pepper, paprika
Step 1: Thaw the Lobster Tails
The safest method for thawing frozen lobster tails is in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the tails from packaging and place in a resealable bag or airtight container to prevent freezer burn. Put the bag with tails in a bowl (to catch drips) and refrigerate for 12-24 hours until fully thawed.
Do not thaw lobster at room temperature or use hot water, as this encourages bacteria growth. Microwaving can make the texture rubbery.
Once thawed, keep tails chilled on ice or return to the fridge until ready to grill.
Step 2: Prepare the Herb Garlic Butter
Grilled lobster is fabulous dipped in flavored butter. This can be easily melted in a saucepan on the grill as the lobster cooks.
Combine the butter, lemon juice, minced garlic, and chopped herbs in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until the butter melts and ingredients are fully incorporated. Season with a bit of salt and pepper.
Having the butter ready on the grill lets you conveniently baste the lobster every few minutes. Now let’s get grilling!
Step 3. Prep the Lobster Tails for Grilling
Preheat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F. Use tongs to rub grates with an oiled paper towel to prevent sticking.
Prepare the lobster tails for grilling by using kitchen shears or a sharp paring knife to split open the shell, cutting along the center bottom side.
Gently pull the split shell halves apart to loosen the meat. Loosen the bottom vein if needed, but leave intact near the tail fins.
Lift the meat to rest on top the shell, and insert lemon slices in the empty space under the meat to add moisture and flavor.
Brush the lobster meat lightly with olive oil or melted butter. Season with salt, pepper and paprika.
Step 4. Grill the Lobster Tails
Place lobster tails meat-side up on hot grill grates. Grill for 2 minutes.
Use tongs to flip shells over grilling for 2 minutes on the shell side. This firms up the shell so it grills nicely.
Flip back meat-side up. Baste lobster with the garlic herb butter.
Continue grilling for 4-6 minutes more, basting every 2 minutes. Check temperature – lobster is done at 135°F internally.
If needed, move tails to cooler area of grill to finish cooking without overdoing it.
Step 5. Finish Up Your Grilled Lobster Tails
When lobster tails reach 135°F internal temperature, they are perfectly cooked with tender, juicy meat!
Immediately remove tails and butter sauce from grill once done.
Serve grilled lobster warm with melted herb garlic butter for dipping, fresh lemon wedges, and your favorite sides. Squeeze lemon over meat or dip in butter before each bite.
Now you can impress guests with your own restaurant-quality grilled lobster tails! This straightforward process works for any size lobster tail using the same methods. Grilling brings out the natural sweetness of lobster to make an indulgent meal.
Common Questions about Grilling Lobster Tails
What are the best side dishes with grilled lobster tails?
Grilled lobster pairs well with lighter sides like greens, vegetables, rice or potatoes to balance the richness. Great options include grilled asparagus, caesar salad, roasted new potatoes, rice pilaf or quinoa salad.
Can you grill frozen lobster tails without thawing?
It’s risky to grill frozen lobster tails. The cold interior takes too long to come to temperature, resulting in overcooked outsides. Always thaw in the refrigerator first for best texture and doneness.
Should you grill lobster tails shell-side up or down?
Start shell-side down to firms up the shell, then flip meat-side up for remainder of cooking. This prevents overcooking and helps meat cook evenly.
What temperature should lobster tails be when done?
Check temperature with a meat thermometer for accuracy. Lobster tails are perfectly cooked at 135°F internally. This ensures tender, juicy meat.
Can you grill lobster tails on a gas grill?
Yes, grilled lobster tails come out great on either charcoal or gas grills. Use medium-high heat, around 400°F. The key is monitoring temperature closely.
Do you need to split lobster tails before grilling?
Splitting the shell helps heat penetrate inside to cook lobster evenly. Use kitchen shears or a knife to slice along the center bottom shell before grilling.
No Matter How You Make Your Lobster, Don’t Miss The 40 Tastiest Sides for Lobster.
Other Ways to Make Lobster
We’re made lobster in a number of ways and they are all delicious in their own right. Here are some of our other favorite ways to cook lobster.
- We really think you should try our foolproof sous vide lobster recipe if you don’t want to use the grill. It’s perfectly cooked and incredibly tender.
- Want a lobster roll recipe? Putting brown butter on your sandwich will make it taste better. If you want a really great lobster roll, check out our Brown Butter Lobster Roll Recipe.