Grilled Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter (Restaurant-Quality Seafood Dinner Ready in 25 Minutes)
These Grilled Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter feature sweet, tender lobster grilled to perfection and finished with a rich garlic butter sauce. Ready in just 25 minutes, they're ideal for date nights, holidays, summer entertaining, and anyone looking to create a restaurant-quality seafood dinner at home.
Ingredients
For the Lobster
- 4 medium lobster tails 5–6 ounces / 140–170g each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Garlic Butter
- ½ cup 115g unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Garnish
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley
- Extra melted garlic butter for serving
Instructions
- Butterfly the Lobster Tails: Using kitchen shears, carefully cut through the top shell of each lobster tail lengthwise, stopping just before the tail fin. Gently pull the shell apart and lift the meat upward, resting it on top of the shell while keeping it attached at the base. This classic butterfly presentation allows the lobster to cook evenly while creating a beautiful restaurant-style appearance.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir until fully combined. The aroma should be rich, buttery, and bright with fresh citrus notes.
- Season the Lobster: Brush the lobster meat lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. This simple seasoning helps enhance the natural sweetness of the lobster without overpowering it.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400°F to 425°F (204°C to 218°C). Clean and lightly oil the grates to help prevent sticking.
- Grill the Lobster Tails: Place the lobster tails shell-side down directly on the grill. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes while brushing generously with garlic butter. Flip briefly if desired, then continue cooking until the meat turns opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 140°F to 145°F (60°C to 63°C). Avoid overcooking because lobster can become tough very quickly.
- Finish with More Garlic Butter: Remove the lobster tails from the grill and immediately brush with additional garlic butter. The residual heat helps absorb the flavors while creating a glossy finish.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges. The finished Grilled Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter should be tender, juicy, lightly smoky, and bursting with rich buttery flavor.