Smoky Garlic Lemon BBQ Lobster Tails: Grilled Seafood Perfection in 25 Minutes

Smoky BBQ Lobster Tails with Garlic Lemon Butter

Elevate your grilling game with these succulent BBQ lobster tails that are brushed with a mouthwatering garlic lemon butter sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, these grilled treasures are the perfect combination of smokiness and seafood sweetness for your next special dinner or backyard cookout.

Why You’ll Love These BBQ Lobster Tails

There’s something magical about cooking lobster on the grill. The smoky char from the barbecue complements the sweet, tender meat of the lobster in ways that other cooking methods simply can’t match. This recipe transforms ordinary lobster tails into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort!

Plus, grilling lobster is surprisingly quick and easy – perfect for both special occasions and weeknight treats when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Perfect BBQ Lobster Tails

• 2 (8-ounce) lobster tails
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Lemon wedges, for serving

How to Prepare Lobster Tails for the Grill

1. Prepare your grill for direct medium-high heat (around 400-450°F).
2. Using kitchen shears, cut through the top shell of each lobster tail lengthwise, stopping at the tail fin. Be careful not to cut through the bottom shell.
3. Gently spread the shell open and carefully loosen the meat from the shell, keeping it attached at the tail end. Lift the meat slightly and let it rest on top of the shell (butterfly style).
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper to create your marinade.
5. Brush the lobster meat generously with the marinade, ensuring it gets into all the crevices.
6. Allow the lobster to marinate for about 10 minutes while your grill heats up.

Grilling Your BBQ Lobster Tails to Perfection

7. Place the lobster tails on the grill, meat side down, and cook for approximately 5 minutes until light grill marks appear.
8. Flip the tails over so they’re shell side down, brush with additional marinade, and continue grilling for another 3-5 minutes. The lobster meat should turn opaque white throughout and reach an internal temperature of 140-145°F.
9. Remove from the grill and brush with the remaining butter mixture.
10. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Pro Tips for BBQ Lobster Success

• Don’t overcook! Lobster meat toughens quickly when overcooked. It’s done when the meat is firm, opaque white, and pulls away from the shell easily.
• Size matters: For even cooking, try to select lobster tails of similar size.
• Soak wooden skewers: If you want to prevent your lobster tails from curling while cooking, insert a soaked wooden skewer lengthwise through each tail.
• Indirect heat option: For larger tails, start them on direct heat to get grill marks, then move to indirect heat to finish cooking more gently.

Serving Suggestions for Your BBQ Lobster Feast

These succulent BBQ lobster tails pair beautifully with:

• Grilled corn on the cob brushed with some of the same garlic butter
• A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette
• Crusty bread for soaking up the delicious butter sauce
• Steamed asparagus or green beans
• A chilled glass of crisp white wine or champagne

Nutrition Information

742 calories |
4g carbs |
44g protein |
61g fat |
11g saturated fat |
169mg cholesterol |
2036mg sodium

FAQs About Grilling Lobster Tails

Can I use frozen lobster tails?

Yes! Just make sure they are completely thawed before grilling. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight for best results.

How do I know when my lobster tails are done?

Perfectly cooked lobster meat will be firm, opaque white, and will have reached an internal temperature of 140-145°F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, the meat should pull away from the shell easily.

Can I prepare these lobster tails in advance?

You can butterfly the tails and prepare the marinade a few hours ahead, but for the best texture and flavor, grill the lobster just before serving.

What type of grill works best for lobster tails?

Both gas and charcoal grills work well. Charcoal will impart a more smoky flavor, while gas offers more consistent temperature control.

Master the Art of BBQ Lobster Tails Tonight

With their perfect blend of smoky char, sweet meat, and buttery richness, these BBQ lobster tails are guaranteed to impress at your next cookout or special dinner. The combination of grilling and the garlic lemon butter creates a flavor profile that elevates this seafood delicacy to new heights. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just treating yourself to an elegant meal, these grilled lobster tails deliver restaurant quality results with home-cooked love.

Recipe adapted from All Recipes