Grilled Lobster Tails with Lemon Garlic Butter is a simple yet elegant seafood dish that’s perfect for any occasion. The lobster is lightly grilled to perfection and basted with a rich, aromatic lemon garlic butter that enhances its natural sweetness. This recipe is not only flavorful but also easy to prepare, making it ideal for a special dinner or summer BBQ. The addition of fresh parsley and lemon wedges adds a zesty finish that complements the lobster beautifully.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Lobster Tails:

• 4 lobster tails

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp pepper

• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Lemon Garlic Butter:

• 8 tbsp butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• ¼ cup parsley, minced

• 1 lemon (juiced)

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp pepper

• Extra lemon wedges, butter, and parsley for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the Grill:

   • Heat the grill to medium-high heat.

2. Prepare the Lemon Garlic Butter:

   • In a small saucepan, combine butter, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low for 5 minutes and keep warm.

3. Prepare the Lobster Tails:

   • Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the lobster shell. Flip the tail over and crack the ribs to make it easier to open. Remove the vein and discard it. Slice the lobster meat down the middle, careful not to cut through the membrane of the shell.

   • Press the lobster tail open and skewer it through the meat to prevent it from curling during grilling. Brush the lobster meat with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

4. Grill the Lobster Tails:

   • Place the lobster tails, meat side down, on the grill. Close the lid and grill for 6 minutes. Flip the tails over, brush with lemon garlic butter, and continue grilling for an additional 4-6 minutes, basting with more butter.

5. Serve:

   • Once cooked, remove the lobster from the grill. Serve with extra lemon wedges, butter, and fresh parsley.

Nutrients (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 330 kcal

• Fat: 25g

  • Saturated Fat: 14g

• Protein: 32g

• Carbohydrates: 1g

• Fiber: 0g

• Sugar: 0g

The Perfect Preparation for Lobster Tails

Lobster tails, when prepared correctly, can provide a tender, succulent bite that pairs wonderfully with the right seasoning and basting techniques. For the best results, it’s essential to prepare the lobster tails before grilling. First, using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the lobster’s hard shell, making sure to avoid cutting through the membrane. This step is crucial, as it allows the lobster meat to cook evenly and creates a visual appeal when it’s served.

Once the shell is cut, gently pry open the lobster, and remove the vein that runs down the center of the meat. This step ensures that you’re serving clean lobster meat. To prevent the lobster from curling up as it grills, skewer the tail through the flesh, which keeps the tail in place and ensures an even cook. After skewer preparation, brush the lobster meat with olive oil to help prevent it from sticking to the grill and to ensure it remains moist. Season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, which enhances the natural flavors of the lobster.

The Aromatic Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

A standout feature of this dish is the lemon garlic butter sauce. This sauce is simple to make but adds an unparalleled depth of flavor to the lobster. Start by melting the butter in a small saucepan. Once the butter has melted, add finely minced garlic and sauté it for a minute or so until it becomes aromatic. The garlic adds a savory, aromatic base to the butter. Next, stir in freshly chopped parsley, which infuses the sauce with an herby freshness. The combination of garlic and parsley enhances the overall richness of the lobster, offering a balance of savory and herbaceous notes.

Lemon juice is then added to the butter mixture, which brightens the sauce and cuts through the richness, providing a nice, tangy contrast to the lobster’s natural sweetness. A pinch of salt and freshly cracked pepper is added to bring the sauce to life, balancing out the flavors. The final step is to simmer the sauce on low heat for about 5 minutes to let the flavors meld together. This lemon garlic butter is then ready to be used for basting and drizzling over the lobster tails as they grill.

Grilling the Lobster Tails to Perfection

Grilling the lobster tails is a quick process but requires careful attention to ensure the meat remains juicy and tender. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, which will help to achieve a nice sear while keeping the lobster meat tender. Place the lobster tails on the grill with the meat side down first. This helps to get a good sear on the lobster meat, locking in its natural juices and creating a flavorful crust on the outside. Grill for about 6 minutes, making sure the meat begins to firm up and turns opaque.

Once the first side is grilled, flip the lobster tails over and generously baste them with the prepared lemon garlic butter sauce. Continue grilling for another 4-6 minutes while basting them intermittently to infuse the flavors into the lobster meat. The lobster tails are done when the meat has completely turned opaque and the internal temperature reaches around 140°F. By flipping and basting, you ensure that the lobster cooks evenly while absorbing all the aromatic flavors of the butter.

Serving and Presentation

Once the lobster tails are grilled to perfection, it’s time to serve them. Carefully remove the tails from the grill, allowing them to rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting time helps the lobster retain its juices, ensuring a moist, tender bite.

Serve the lobster tails with extra lemon wedges on the side to enhance the citrusy flavor and offer guests the option to add a fresh burst of tang. A few more dollops of the lemon garlic butter sauce can be served on the side for dipping, making this dish even more indulgent. For a beautiful and fresh garnish, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the lobster tails before serving, providing both color and a burst of freshness.

Lobster is often considered a luxury ingredient, and its rich, sweet flavor makes it the perfect star of a meal. Pairing it with the tangy and buttery sauce brings out the natural sweetness of the lobster, making each bite both flavorful and indulgent.

Serving Suggestions

Grilled Lobster Tails with Lemon Garlic Butter are an excellent choice for a variety of occasions. This dish makes a great appetizer for a sophisticated dinner party, or it can be served as a main course for a romantic evening. The light and fresh flavors of the lobster pair beautifully with a variety of sides. For a refreshing contrast to the richness of the lobster, serve with a crisp green salad or a vegetable side, such as roasted asparagus or sautéed spinach.

If you’re looking to round out the meal, consider serving the lobster tails with a side of garlic bread or buttered rice, both of which will soak up the flavorful butter sauce. A light, crisp white wine, such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, pairs wonderfully with the lobster, offering a perfect balance of freshness and acidity.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Grilled Lobster Tails with Lemon Garlic Butter contains approximately 330 calories, making it a relatively light yet indulgent meal. The lobster provides 32 grams of protein per serving, making it a fantastic source of lean protein. The dish is high in fat (25 grams), mostly from the butter and olive oil, contributing to its rich flavor. There are 14 grams of saturated fat, which comes from the butter, so it is best enjoyed in moderation.

The dish is incredibly low in carbohydrates (1 gram), making it a great option for those following a keto or low-carb diet. With a small amount of fiber (0g), this dish is not a significant source of dietary fiber, but it provides other valuable nutrients such as vitamin A, calcium, and potassium.

Conclusion: A Luxurious Yet Easy-to-Prepare Dish

Grilled Lobster Tails with Lemon Garlic Butter is a luxurious seafood dish that is deceptively easy to prepare. With its tender lobster, aromatic garlic butter, and the refreshing burst of lemon, this recipe offers an elegant and indulgent meal that’s perfect for special occasions or a summer BBQ. Whether served as an appetizer or the main course, this dish is sure to impress and leave your guests raving. Its rich, savory flavors and beautiful presentation make it a standout recipe that will elevate any gathering.