The Perfect Pan-Grilled Lobster Tail

how to pan grill lobster tail

Lobster tails are a delicious treat, perfect for a special occasion or a fancy steakhouse dinner. Grilling is a great way to cook lobster tails, giving them a wonderful, smoky flavour. The process is simple: start by thawing frozen lobster tails, then use kitchen shears or a knife to butterfly the tail. Next, brush the tails with oil and season with salt and pepper before placing them on a preheated grill, flesh-side down. Grill the tails until the flesh is opaque, then finish with a garlic butter sauce. Serve immediately with a squeeze of lemon and a garnish of fresh herbs.

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How to prepare lobster tails for grilling

Grilled lobster tails are a delicious treat and are surprisingly easy to prepare. You can buy frozen or fresh lobster tails from your local fish market or fish counter. It's recommended to buy one tail per person. If you buy frozen lobster tails, make sure to defrost them thoroughly before grilling. You can do this by placing them in the refrigerator overnight, or for a quicker method, let them sit in a bowl of cold water for 30 minutes.

To prepare the lobster tails for grilling, you'll first need to butterfly them. Hold the tail in one hand and, with the shell facing up, cut down through the centre of the back to the end of the tail, leaving the tail fan intact. Use your thumbs to gently prise the shell open and wiggle the flesh loose from the shell, without completely removing it.

Before grilling, brush the lobster meat with a neutral oil, such as canola, and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings such as paprika or parsley. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and make sure the grates are clean and oiled.

Place the lobster tails flesh-side down on the grill and cook for around 5 minutes, or until grill marks appear. Then, flip the tails and grill for a further 2-3 minutes, or until the flesh is opaque and firm to the touch.

For an extra flavour boost, brush the grilled lobster tails with melted garlic butter before serving. You can make this by melting butter in a saucepan and adding garlic and lemon juice.

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Making a butter sauce

Lobster is traditionally served with drawn butter, which is essentially melted butter. To make a basic butter sauce, simply melt butter over medium-low heat in a saucepan or a butter warmer. You can add a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice to taste.

For a lemon butter sauce, add some lemon zest to the basic butter sauce. For a spicy kick, add red chilli flakes and a pinch of cayenne pepper. If you're making garlic butter sauce, cook some minced garlic in the saucepan first, before adding the butter and other ingredients.

To make a garlic butter sauce specifically for lobster tails, combine garlic, melted butter, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Generously baste each lobster tail with the sauce and place the lobster tails under the broiler in your preheated oven. Keep a close eye on them for 6-8 minutes, or until they’re fully cooked through. The meat should be opaque and white, and the internal temperature should be 140°F-145°F. Transfer the cooked lobster tails to a serving plate and spoon over any remaining garlic butter sauce.

You can also make a dipping sauce for the lobster tails by draining the drippings from the roasting pan into a small saucepan and combining it with the remaining butter. Bring this to a simmer and remove from the heat before pouring it over the lobster tails or dividing it into small ramekins for dipping.

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Seasoning the lobster tails

The next step is to season the lobster tails with salt and pepper. Be generous with the seasoning, as this will enhance the flavour of the lobster. You can also add other seasonings to the lobster tails, such as paprika or parsley, for extra flavour.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can make a garlic butter sauce to brush onto the lobster tails before placing them on the grill. To make the sauce, melt butter in a small saucepan and add garlic. Cook for about a minute, until the garlic is fragrant. Then, add lemon juice and stir. This sauce can be brushed onto the lobster tails while they grill, adding moisture and flavour.

Another option for seasoning is to create a marinade. While the lobster tails are cooking, you can baste them frequently with the marinade until they are opaque and firm to the touch. This will ensure that the lobster tails are juicy and full of flavour.

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Grilling the lobster tails

Grilling lobster tails is a simple process, but there are a few steps to follow to ensure the best results. Firstly, it is recommended to buy frozen or fresh lobster tails from your local fish market or counter. Most lobster tails are flash-frozen after they are caught, so buying frozen does not compromise on quality. Aim for one tail per person, but you can adjust the quantity depending on what else you are serving. Before grilling, thaw the tails by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or soaking them in a bowl of cold water.

Once the lobster tails are thawed, it's time to prepare them for grilling. Use a knife to carefully cut the tail meat in half, without cutting through the bottom of the shell. Then, use your fingers to gently open the shell and wiggle the flesh loose, keeping it attached to the bottom of the shell. At this point, you can also butterfly the tail to ensure even cooking. Brush the lobster meat with oil, such as canola, and season with salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice.

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and make sure the grates are clean and oiled. Place the lobster tails on the grill, flesh-side down, and cook for about 5 minutes or until grill marks form. Then, flip the tails over and grill for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the flesh turns opaque and is firm to the touch. For an even cook, you can also try using a combination of direct and indirect heat. Place the coals on one side of the grill and cook the lobster tails, flesh-side down, over the coals for 2-3 minutes. Then, move them to the non-coal side for indirect heating, baste them again, and close the grill lid for another 5-6 minutes.

Finally, brush the grilled lobster tails with melted butter, garlic butter, or a butter sauce of your choice. You can also squeeze some lemon juice over the tails and sprinkle them with fresh herbs such as parsley or chives. Serve the lobster tails immediately, and enjoy the delicious, smoky flavour!

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Serving the grilled lobster tails

Grilled lobster tails are best served immediately. You can serve them with a simple side of extra garlic butter or lemon garlic butter for dipping. For an extra special touch, add a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chopped chives and parsley, and serve with grilled lemon wedges.

If you're looking for a full-blown steakhouse dinner, grilled lobster tails can be served with a grilled ribeye steak, air fryer baked potatoes, and roasted vegetables. If you want to keep it light, grilled vegetables are a great option, especially when your grill is already fired up. Some recommended vegetables to grill are zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, and cabbage steaks. Salads are also a good choice, such as a grilled peach salad, a fresh spring mix salad, or a Caprese salad.

For a summer get-together, grilled lobster tails can be served with fresh, summery sides like a mixed greens salad or a shaved zucchini salad. For a more filling option, you can make it surf and turf by serving the grilled lobster tails with a grilled steak.

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. However, instead of reheating the grilled lobster tails, you can turn the leftovers into a lobster salad or lobster bisque.

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