Description
This recipe features easy and flavorful grilled lobster tails enhanced with a homemade lemon garlic butter sauce. Perfectly cooked in under 20 minutes, the lobster tails are sweet, succulent, and delicious, making them ideal for a quick yet impressive seafood meal.
Ingredients
Lobster Tails
- 4 8-ounce lobster tails
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted clarified butter
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: Melt the clarified butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic, lemon zest, chopped parsley, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes without letting the butter brown. Remove from heat and set aside. If the butter hardens as it cools, gently reheat until it is melted again.
- Butterfly the Lobster Tails: Using kitchen shears, carefully cut down the center of each lobster tail shell to butterfly them. Gently loosen the lobster meat from the shell but keep it attached at the base. Remove the vein on top if present. Insert a soaked wooden skewer or a metal skewer lengthwise through the tail to keep the lobster meat lifted and straight for even cooking.
- Season the Lobster: Brush the lobster meat with olive oil evenly and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of coarse kosher salt. Set aside to allow the seasoning to absorb briefly.
- Preheat and Grill: Heat your grill to a medium-high temperature. Position the lobster tails meat-side down on the top grill rack and cook for 5-6 minutes. Turn the tails over and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes or until the meat is opaque white and pearly. The exact time depends on the size of the lobster tails. For accuracy, check that the internal temperature reaches 140°F using a digital thermometer.
- Serve with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: Remove the lobster tails from the grill and immediately spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce generously over each tail, letting it seep down between the meat and the shell. Finish by dusting the tops with smoked paprika for a touch of smoky flavor and attractive color.
Notes
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
- If you don’t have clarified butter, you can use unsalted butter melted and separated but clarified butter resists burning better on the grill.
- Cooking times may vary based on the size of lobster tails; always check internal temperature for doneness.
- Use a digital meat thermometer for best results to avoid overcooking.
- For a slightly smoky flavor, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika before grilling as well.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
