Grilled rock lobster tails are a luxurious and delicious way to enjoy seafood. This recipe combines the rich, succulent flavor of lobster with a simple yet flavorful butter mixture, making it perfect for a special occasion or a delightful dinner at home. The grilling process adds a smoky touch that enhances the natural sweetness of the lobster meat.
Rock lobster tails might not be a common item in your pantry, but they can be found in the seafood section of most well-stocked supermarkets or specialty fish markets. Make sure to select fresh, high-quality lobster tails for the best results. Additionally, you will need melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and black pepper, which are typically more common household ingredients.
Ingredients For Grilled Rock Lobster Tails Recipe
Rock lobster tails: These are the main ingredient and provide the rich, succulent meat for the dish.
Butter: Used to create a flavorful basting mixture that keeps the lobster moist and adds richness.
Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the butter mixture.
Lemon juice: Provides a bright, tangy contrast to the rich butter and lobster meat.
Paprika: Adds a mild, smoky flavor and a touch of color to the lobster.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the lobster and the butter mixture.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor to the dish.
Technique Tip for Grilling Lobster Tails
When preparing rock lobster tails, make sure to use kitchen shears to cut through the tough shell. This will make it easier to pull apart the shells and expose the lobster meat. Additionally, when brushing the butter mixture onto the meat, ensure it is evenly coated to enhance the flavor. For an extra touch, consider adding a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or chives to the butter mixture for added aroma and taste.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
rock lobster tails - Substitute with shrimp: Shrimp has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a good alternative for grilling.
rock lobster tails - Substitute with crab legs: Crab legs offer a sweet and delicate flavor that can mimic the taste of lobster when grilled.
melted butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil provides a rich, smooth texture and enhances the flavor of the seafood without overpowering it.
melted butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a higher smoke point and a nutty flavor that complements grilled seafood well.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic for a more subtle garlic flavor.
minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter taste that can add a different dimension to the dish.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, adding brightness to the dish.
lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar offers a tangy acidity that can enhance the flavors of the seafood.
paprika - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and spice, giving the dish a different but complementary flavor.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika provides a smoky depth of flavor that can enhance the grilled taste.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor and can be used to season the seafood.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt offers a more complex flavor profile and can enhance the natural taste of the seafood.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a milder, slightly different heat that can complement the dish.
black pepper - Substitute with red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes add a bit of heat and a different flavor dimension to the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How To Store / Freeze Lobster Tails
- Allow the grilled rock lobster tails to cool completely at room temperature before storing.
- Wrap each lobster tail individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
- Place the wrapped lobster tails in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Ensure you remove as much air as possible to maintain freshness.
- Label the container or bag with the date of storage to keep track of their freshness.
- Store the lobster tails in the refrigerator if you plan to consume them within 2-3 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer.
- When freezing, consider using a vacuum sealer for optimal preservation. This method will help maintain the texture and flavor of the lobster meat.
- To reheat, thaw frozen lobster tails in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid using a microwave to defrost, as it can alter the texture of the seafood.
- Reheat the lobster tails by placing them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat them on a grill over medium heat for a few minutes.
- Serve the reheated lobster tails with a fresh drizzle of lemon juice and melted butter to enhance their flavor.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap each lobster tail in aluminum foil, adding a small pat of butter and a splash of lemon juice inside the foil. Place the wrapped tails on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
For a quicker method, use the microwave. Place the lobster tails in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes. Check and continue heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
If you prefer a stovetop method, melt a bit of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the lobster tails and cover the skillet. Heat for about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until the lobster meat is warmed through.
For an extra touch of flavor, reheat the lobster tails on the grill. Preheat the grill to medium heat, brush the tails with a bit of melted butter, and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until heated through.
Best Tools for Grilling Lobster Tails
Kitchen shears: Essential for cutting the top of the lobster shells lengthwise down the middle to the tail.
Small bowl: Used to combine melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Grill: Preheated to medium-high heat, this is where the lobster tails will be cooked.
Basting brush: Ideal for brushing the lobster meat with the butter mixture.
Tongs: Useful for flipping the lobster tails on the grill to ensure even cooking.
Meat thermometer: Optional but helpful to check that the lobster meat is cooked through (opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 140°F).
Serving platter: For presenting the grilled lobster tails once they are cooked.
Lemon wedges: Optional, for serving alongside the lobster tails for added flavor.
How to Save Time on Making Lobster Tails
Prepare the butter mixture ahead: Mix the melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper in advance and store it in the fridge.
Pre-cut the lobster shells: Use kitchen shears to cut the lobster shells earlier in the day to save time during cooking.
Preheat the grill: Ensure your grill is preheated to medium-high heat before you start cooking to avoid delays.
Use a timer: Set a timer for each grilling step to ensure perfect cooking without constant checking.

Grilled Rock Lobster Tails Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 Rock Lobster Tails about 8 ounces each
- ¼ cup Butter melted
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Using kitchen shears, cut the top of the lobster shells lengthwise down the middle to the tail, and pull apart the shells slightly.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Brush the lobster meat with the butter mixture.
- Place the lobster tails on the grill, meat side up. Grill for about 5-6 minutes, then flip and grill for another 4-5 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and cooked through.
- Remove from the grill and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges if desired.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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