Perfectly Grilled Lobster Tails w/ Lemon-Garlic Butter
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Grilled Lobster Tails w/ Lemon-Garlic Butter
This grilled lobster tails recipe is a great summer treat—the sweet flavor of the meat pairs well with summer fruits like peaches and plums.
The recipe is a simple one to follow. It only requires a few steps and minimal ingredients.
Also, this dish is best served with a side of mashed potatoes or rice to soak up the juices from the lobster tails. You can also do this as an appetizer with some breadsticks on the side.
How to Prepare Lobster Tails for Grilling?
To prepare lobster tails for grilling, it's essential to cook them correctly. The tails can be grilled directly on the grill, or boiled first, and then grilled.
Here's how to prepare lobster tails for grilling:
- Wash the lobster tails and pat dry with paper towels.
- Remove the vein from the center of the tail by inserting a sharp knife underneath the shell, just above the vein. It should come out easily if you push it carefully. If not, use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut it out (it's easier than trying to pull it out).
- Remove any membrane underneath the shell by gently scraping it with a sharp paring knife or kitchen scissors. Be careful not to cut or tear the meat, or you'll lose some juice when cooking!
- Press your lobster tails open to expose the meat and season them with salt and pepper.
Prepare The Lemon-Garlic Butter
The lemon-garlic butter will go on top of your lobster tails while they are getting cooked. This gives them a nice flavor as they cook on the grill and makes it easier for you to get all of the meat out of the shells once they're cooked.To make lemon-garlic butter:- Melt eight tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add four cloves of minced garlic and one teaspoon salt (or more if desired) and cook for about 1 minute or until fragrant, constantly stirring, so it doesn't burn.
- Remove from heat and stir in ¼ tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or one teaspoon dried parsley flakes).
- Set aside until ready to use.
Pro Tips For Grilling Perfect Lobster Tails
Lobster tails are one of the most expensive types of seafood, so it's no wonder many people are intimidated by cooking them.
Here are some tips for grilling lobster tails:
- Buy the freshest lobster possible. The freshest meat will be bright red, while older meat may appear more orange or brownish in color. If you have any doubts about the freshness of your lobster tail, ask your fishmonger when it was caught or purchase frozen tails instead of fresh ones.
- Preheat your grill on high for 10 minutes before adding the lobster tails. This is so that it is hot enough to sear them quickly and seal them in the juices. However, do not use high heat if you plan on finishing cooking your lobster tails inside; this will burn them before they cook through!
- Trim off any excess fat from your tail so that it cooks evenly throughout.
What To Serve With Grilled Lobster Tails? [Side Dishes]
Here are some of the traditional and non-traditional sides you can try with your grilled lobster tails:- Drawn Butter
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Asparagus (try this bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe)
- Mango Salsa
- Rice
- Beans
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Salad of Mixed Greens with Olive Oil & Lemon Juice
That's It!
If you have never eaten grilled lobster tails, you are missing out on one of life's great pleasures. Grilled lobster tails are not challenging to make, but the results are definitely worth the effort.Main Course
American
EQUIPMENT
- Grill
INGREDIENTS
Lobster
- 4 Lobster Tails ((about 1½ pounds each))
- ½ Tsp Salt
- ½ Tsp Black Pepper
Lemon-Garlic Butter
- 1 Lemon ((juice of 1 lemon))
- 4 cloves Garlic ((minced))
- ¼ Cup Parsley ((minced))
- 8 Tbsp Butter
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
Lemon-Garlic Butter Instructions
The lemon-garlic butter will go on top of your lobster tails during the cook. This gives them a nice flavor as they cook on the grill and makes it easier for you to get all of the meat out of the shells once they’re cooked. To make lemon-garlic butter:
Melt eight tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Add four cloves of minced garlic and one teaspoon salt (or more if desired) and cook for about 1 minute or until fragrant, constantly stirring, so it doesn’t burn.
Remove from heat and stir in ¼ tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or one teaspoon dried parsley flakes). Set aside until ready to use.
Lobster Tail Instructions
Prep the Grill: The first thing you want to do is make sure your grill is clean and oiled well. Then heat your grill on high for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to medium-high.
Oil and Season Lobster Tails: Brush both sides of each lobster tail (we had prepared in the previous section) with oil and season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
Grill The Lobster Tails: Place the lobster tail directly on the grill, or put it on an oiled rack or metal skewer, so it doesn't slip through the grates. Grill for about 5 minutes per side or until bright red and flesh becomes opaque white in color.
Try to grill the cut tail side down first, and finish with the cut tail side up.
Remember to brush each side of the tail at least twice with lemon-garlic butter while they are cooking on the grill.
(Remember: Lobster meat should be cooked until firm, or a minimum internal temperature of 140 °F .)
Serve Warm: After removing from heat, place on a platter and serve immediately with melted butter and lemon wedges.
Notes
Grilling lobster tails is not necessarily tricky, but it does take a little practice to learn how to grill them and keep them from falling apart, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be grilling lobster tails like a pro.
Cook to a minimum internal temperature of at least 140 °F.
grilled lobster recipe, seafood
