How To Season Lobster Tail For Grilling

How To Grill Lobster Tails

Season 2 Episode 41 How to make Grilled Lobster Tails (Indoors)

Once youve halved your lobster tails, pat the flesh dry with paper towel, brush them with a little olive oil, then season with coarse salt and cracked black pepper.

Place the lobster tails flesh-side down onto grill, and cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes. This allows the meat to grill properly without sticking to the grill plates. Flip the lobster over and brush the flesh with melted garlic and herb butter.

Cover with bbq lid or foil to help the shells turn a beautiful shade of orange from the smoke on the bbq, and grill until JUST cooked through.

Serve immediately with a little extra garlic butter, lemon wedges and fresh parsley to garnish.

How To Know When Lobster Is Done Cooking

The best way to know when the lobster is done cooking is to insert an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the tail. When the internal temperature reaches between 135 to 140ºF the lobster is ready to eat.

Visually, the dark shell will turn bright red due to the coloring agent astaxanthin transforming when heated. The flesh will turn from translucent to opaque pinkish-white color that is firm to the touch.

How Long To Boil Lobster Tails

Thawed lobster tails will typically take 3-13 minutes to cook when boiled. This varies based on the tail size and quantity.

Tips For Preparing the Lobster Tails for Boiling

Preparation is the key to cooking delicious lobster tails. Luckily for you, preparation is simple! To prepare your lobster tails for boiling, thaw them out thoroughly. If you try to cook the lobster while it’s still fully or partially frozen, it will dry out when cooking, rendering it rubbery. Thaw the lobster in a cold water bath or in the refrigerator overnight.

Another tip for preparing lobster tails is to use a metal or wooden skewer so the lobster tail stays straight while cooking. This isn’t crucial to the recipe, but it will keep your tails from curling as they cook in the lobster pot.

The Best Way to Serve Boiled Lobster Tails

When you cook a lobster tail by boiling, there’s only one real way to serve it with melted butter! This traditional dipper is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. However, if you feel that melted butter lacks the zazz you’re looking for, there are plenty of other ways you can add it.

One of these ways is by adding some minced garlic into your butter while it melts to add that good garlicky aroma. Or, you can add lemon juice to your melted butter to give it an extra citrusy kick, and then garnish it with some parsley for a better appearance. Better yet, add both to your butter!

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Can You Grill Lobster Tails

Grilling lobster tails is easy. If you have the ability to fire up your grill, you can cook frozen lobster tails. Lobster grilling takes about the same time as traditional steaming and baking methods. The real difference is that the grill is saturated with the aroma of charcoal smoke, marinade or oil.

How To Remove The Shell

Remove the shell by cutting through the spine of the shell from the top down to where the tail begins. Use kitchen shears for this.

Flip the lobster over in your hands so that the belly side is facing you. Using your thumbs press down strongly to crack all the ribs that go across the lobster. Then using both hands squeeze both sides simultaneously working your way all the way down including the tail.

At this point, you should be able to pull the shell apart on the belly side as if you were opening a large book with both hands. Remove all but the tail.

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Frozen Lobster Tail Recipe

What are the best ways to freeze lobster tails? Here are some additional freezing methods: Follow the same directions as above, but wrap the lobster tails in paper towels to avoid puncturing the bags. Make a lobster tail ice cube! Staying on ice prevents the lobster tails from drying out. Preparation: Peel, peel and peel the lobster tails. If you have one, a vacuum sealer is great for storing lobster tails.

Smoked Lobster Tails Recipe

How to Smoke Lobster TailsSmoked Lobster Tails Recipe Ingredients

2 lobster tails

1/2 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder or minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon black pepper

Smoking Lobster Tails Directions

Get your smoker up to a temperature of 225 degrees. Then put your smoker wood chips on the smoker to get the smoke flowing.

To prepare your lobster tails, cut the spine or the back/top of the shell with a slit that runs all the way down the lobster tail. This will allow you to have a place to baste your butter mixture and also allow the smoke to better penetrate the lobster tail meat.

Mix your butter, lemon juice, lemon pepper, garlic, and black pepper in a mixing bowl and place the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds or until the butter is fully melted. Stir the ingredients together.

Set your lobster tails on the smoker with the slit side up for about 45 minutes and baste with your butter mixture about every 20 minutes. After 45 minutes, move your smoked lobster tails closer to your heat source on your smoker keeping the slit side up. Grill your lobster tails for 2 minutes to ensure your lobster tails are warm to serve.

Pull them off your smoker and serve immediately. You can also warm up a couple bowls of butter for those who like to dip their lobster meat directly in butter .

Smoked Lobster Tails Smoking Time

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How Do You Cook Lobster Tails In The Shell

Instructions Cut the lobster tails in half lengthwise. Cut cut-side up and along the edge of the shell with scissors to separate the cartilage covering the meat from the tail of the shell, then remove the cartilage and discard. Pour water into a 13×9″ box. Baking dish Place lobster tails in a baking dish.

Grilled Lobster Cooking Times

Grilled LOBSTER TAIL with Seasoned Butter for LOBSTER Rolls

When the grill is at medium heat, not high heat, place the halves of your lobster flesh side up with the shells on the grate. Season the lobster meat with salt and pepper and with a pastry brush paste the shell and exposed meat with olive oil or your favorite butter mixture. Close the grill and cook for about 3-6 minutes. Quickly baste with more butter or oil and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. We do not suggest flipping the lobster as you will lose all the juices. The oil or butter not only keeps the lobster moist, but it will also help char the shell making it easier to crack.

Since lobsters cook quickly keep a close eye on the grill. Again, cooked too long, theres no turning back. One or two minutes too long and the meat will dry out and be tough. The meat is done when it starts to firm up and turns opaque white. It is important to note that your lobsters will continue to cook even after they are removed from the grill.

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How To Butterfly Lobster Tails For Grilling

The first step in any grilled lobster recipe is to prep the lobster. You can butterfly lobster tails for grilling by bringing the flesh over the shell the same way you would for broiled lobster tails, but below Ill show you a different, slightly easier method.

Cut the lobster shell. Cut down the center of the shell lengthwise, starting from the end opposite the tail fins and going down the the tail, but do not cut the tail.

TIP: Cut the top shell only. You want to cut the top shell and some of the flesh, but not all the way through the bottom shell.

Cut. Use a knife to cut lengthwise along the center ridge, but again dont cut through the bottom shell.
Flatten. Use your hands to pry open the tail and then press with your palm to flatten, so that it opens up.
Skewer. Run the skewer lengthwise through the center of the flesh. This helps to prevent the lobster tail from curling up on the grill.

TIP: Soak your skewers in water first, so they dont start a fire on the grill. Simply place them in a shallow pan filled with water for 30-60 minutes and weigh down with a bowl to keep them submerged.

Make Sure You Pin Grilled Lobster Tails

Spiny lobsters are less sweet than Maine and are therefore perfect for the added flavor of garlic.

You also want to aim for smaller tails. Lobsters have very long lives and continue to grow. Older lobsters have less flavor and tougher meat. Smaller tails will also ensure even cooking.

Go too big and you need to poach to prevent drying.

Hubby and I in St. Lucia eating Spiny Lobster at a street festival.

We buy ours frozen, as lobsters need to be cooked or frozen soon after harvesting, so unless you are buying a live one, they will surely be frozen.

Luckily, at our store, once per month they go on sale for $5 per tail, so I buy a bunch and save them for later.

Serve with Grilled Beef Filet with Garlic Brandy Butter or Portabella Crusted Strip Steak.

Youll most likely find lobster than is broiled or even poached, but grilling is excellent cooking technique for the sweet meat. The most common issue making lobster at home is that people overcook it.

To get the perfect steakhouse style lobster tail, you want to cook it until it is just opaque. The meat will be slightly springy. At this point, remove it from the heat. Any longer and will end up with dried out, chewy lobster meat. No good!

If you are making this recipe for a crowd, a romantic night in or just want to be ahead of the game, you can even prep everything ahead of time.

Go ahead and cut the lobster tails in half, wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and putting them back into the fridge.

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Is Grilling Better Than Steaming

Personally, I like grilled lobster better than steamed lobster. In terms of ease, theres no difference between the two processes.

One of the proclaimed benefits of steaming a lobster is that its difficult to overcook it that way, but it can also introduce too much water to the meat. When you grill the lobster, its still quick and easy, and all of the flavors of the meat just shine. Plus the texture comes out perfect every time!

How Long To Broil Lobster:

I love to broil lobster tails because it is quick and easy plus you still have that beautiful coloring over the meat. It is easy to over cook lobster tails so you will want to be paying close attention to them as they are being broiled. It is best to broil the lobster tails for about one minute per ounce and having the lobster tail about 4 to 5 inches from the heat on the top rack in the oven. The lobster will turn a beautiful opaque in color with a white center. It is best to use a meat thermometer to make sure it doesnt overcook. The center of the lobster will reach 145*F for best results.

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How To Make Deep Fried Lobster Tail

The process for frying lobster tails is rather simple, as it’s the same basic approach to frying chicken – seasoning + egg wash + dredge then fry. The key difference is with lobster you have to remove the shell or at least expose the tail outside of the shell. I provide details in the post, but probably easier to follow the approach in the video that appears in the recipe card.

Preparing Lobster Tails For The Grill

One of the more intimidating experiences when doing grilled lobster tail is preparing the tails for the grill. As we reference the lobster tails, there are two sides. The shell side and the soft underbelly where the legs connect.

Start by removing any legs on the underbelly of the lobster. Its best to use a sharp paring knife to simply pop them off.

Place the lobster tails on a cutting board. Starting about 1/2 inch from the actual tail side of the lobster, insert a chef knife straight down to cut through the shell, but not completely through the underbelly.

With your hand on the tail, slowly cut along the top shell in up and down motions to cut the shell until you cut all the way down the length of the tail. Alternatively you can use kitchen shears to do this. If using shears, start by cutting where the meat is exposed and then cut toward the tail.

Using two hands, one hand on each side of the shell that was cut, gently open the shell, like opening a book. It will crack and you may see some shell break, which is fine. Be sure to remove any small shell pieces at this point.

Now its time to season.

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Tips For The Perfect Lobster

You can use any type of lobster for this recipe. I typically use Maine lobster, but you can use a warm water spiny lobster if you prefer.
Lobster tails are done when the shell turns red and the flesh is opaque. Its important not to overcook your lobster, so use both the visual cues and the suggested cook times.

I recommend serving lobster immediately after it comes off the grill. Lobster can get tough when reheated.
You can use a charcoal grill, gas grill or an indoor grill pan on the stove top for this recipe.
Serve your lobster with lemon wedges and fresh parsley for garnish.

I like to serve my lobster with a variety of side dishes such as grilled vegetables, quinoa salad or roasted potatoes.
Leftover lobster? Try using it to make lobster mac and cheese.

How To Cook Lobster Tails On The Stove

Grilled Lobster Tail Recipe with Garlic Butter (2018)

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Learn how to cook lobster tails on the stove to make a gourmet restaurant-quality meal at home for a celebration or even a regular weeknight meal!

Craving lobster tail but dont want to go out to a restaurant to eat it? When most people want to eat lobster, they get in the car and drive somewhere to order it. But that doesnt have to be you!

Theres no need to pay extra to get lobster tail from someone else. You can do it right at home in less than half an hour! Yes, cooking lobster can be that easy and delicious!

How to do you cook lobster tails on the stove? Start by cutting the lobster tail down the middle, season the meat with butter and salt and pepper, and boil the lobster tail for 1 minute per ounce. The shells should be bright red and the meat will be pinkish or opaque.

What Is The Best Recipe For Lobster Tail On The Grill

Add salt, pepper, white pepper and garlic powder. Cut the lobster tails lengthwise with a large knife and spread the marinade over the flesh side of the tail. Lightly grease the grid. Place the tails on a preheated grill, meat side down. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning once and pouring in the marinade regularly.

Selecting The Right Tails

You want as fresh as possible. When buying lobster tails, be sure to find a local fish monger that you know will have it fresh. If you cant get it fresh, they may be frozen for purchase. Another option is to get some lobster tails from online sources like Lobster Anywhere.

Be sure that when buying fresh lobster tails that they dont smell fishy at all. Also if buying frozen, defrost the day before you plan on cooking. You dont want them to sit very long, uncooked, in order to maximize the flavor.

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How To Grilllobster Tails

Prepare the lobster tails using one of the twomethods discussed and place a skewer through the halved tails to keep them fromcurling up and ensure even cooking. Preheat the grill and brush with oil. Cookthe lobster tails over medium heat , cut side down for about 4-5minutes, then turn over and finish cooking on the other side.

If the lobster is butterflied, cook it withthe cut side up the entire time. This method gives the lobster a delicious smokyflavor.

Serve Up A Casual Grilled Lobster Dinner

Place your lobsters on a large platter and serve with plenty of butter and lemon wedges. You can pre-crack the claws with the chef knife. For a casual affair cover table with the local newspaper and lay some shell crackers and seafood forks on the table so your guests can dig in.

References

Charcoal-Grilled Lobsters Cooks Illustrated.Cooks Illustrated. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2015.
White, Jasper. Lobster at Home. New York: Scribner, 1998. Print.
Coffey, B. . Lobster lovers cookbook. N. Attleboro, Mass.: Douglas Charles Press.

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How To Grill Lobster Tails: A Quick Beginners Guide

Grilled lobster tails come with a hefty price tag in fine dining restaurants, but did you know that theyre inexpensive to make at home?

You can easily enjoy buttery, silky, and ABSOLUTELY scrumptious lobster meat for less than half the priceall you need are the right grilling techniques to get started.

So, bring out your fancy dinnerware, dust off your formalwear, and start firing up that big ol grill. Let our team show you how to grill lobster tails perfectly!