When you’re craving something that’s next-level decadent and easy to make, Smoked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter are the ultimate bad boys for your consideration. Think succulent lobster drenched in melted garlicky butter, then elevated by a seriously killer smoky flavor—all made on your own backyard grill.
This recipe is perfect for hardcore seafood and garlic lovers (like me). Plus, it’s one of my favorite ways to celebrate a chill Friday evening with friends.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love Smoked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter
- Smoked Lobster Tail With Garlic Butter Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Clarified Butter
- How to Make Spicy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails
- This sauce is FYR!
- Serving Time
- What to Serve with Lobster Tails
- Leftovers & Reheating Instructions
- More garlic-butter recipes!
- FAQs for the Smoked Lobster Tails Recipe
- Smoked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter Recipe
Why You’ll Love Smoked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter
Smoked and grilled lobster tails are true showstoppers that make any meal memorable. They offer a smoky aroma that makes your mouth water followed by the spicy garlic butter sauce gives you that satisfying kick. Plus, the tender meat on the top of the tails is pure perfection.
For more epic lobster recipes from yours truly, Derek Wolf, check out my Best Lobster Tail Recipes.
Smoked Lobster Tail With Garlic Butter Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what to grab from the local grocery store to get this recipe started.
- Lobster – Smaller lobster tails, seafood seasoning (check out some of my seasoning options here!), and canola oil are all this recipe needs to get started.
- Spicy Garlic Butter – Clarified butter, minced garlic, fresh parsley, mustard grains, habanero hot sauce, and red chili flakes.
These simple ingredients bring out the natural goodness of the lobster without overpowering it. If you’re in a hurry, skip to the recipe card below or come with me while we run through all the easy steps.
How to Make Clarified Butter
To make your own clarified butter, melt unsalted butter in a pan over medium-low heat. Then, let the milk solids sink to the bottom. Once done, carefully pour the clear, golden liquid into an airtight container (leaving the milk solids behind). This step gives you a compound butter with a higher smoke point that’s ideal for fire cooking. It’s the most precise way to achieve a clean, nutty flavor that elevates your spicy garlic butter sauce.
How to Make Spicy Garlic Butter Lobster Tails
Lobster Prep
First, grab a pair of sharp kitchen shears. Then, using your pair of kitchen shears, cut in the middle of the top of the shell all the way down to the tail. Be careful and try to avoid cutting the lobster tail meat, we only want to cut the shell.
Next, run your spoon carefully along the inside of the shell to free the meat from along the sides. Also, make a small incision along the middle of the shell if needed. Finally, lift the meat up from the middle of the shell —leaving it attached at the base of the tail—and lay it on top of the shell.
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Then, using a knife, make shallow slits along the meat. This creates more surface area for those simple seasonings to stick on the slit side. Repeat for every one of your smoked lobster tails.
Next, lather your lobster tails with canola oil. Then, season them with your favorite seafood seasoning— I used a simple mix of Old Bay seasoning, black pepper, and even some red pepper flakes. Set them aside until you’re ready to rock.
Garlic Butter Lobster Tails Smoking Process
Now, preheat your smoker to a medium-high temperature of 375F. Then, toss in some wood chips or chunks for that killer smoky goodness. Once the smoker is ready, place your smoked lobster tails on the grill grates (or even a wood plank if you’re feeling extra). Cook them indirectly for 10-12 minutes.
They’re done when the color shifts from translucent to a bright white and the internal temperature of the lobster reaches 145F. Use a meat thermometer to be sure, and note that the total smoking time might vary—around 25-30 minutes for those colossal jumbo lobster tails, depending on the size of your lobster tails.
Spicy Garlic Butter Time
About 10 minutes before the garlic butter lobster tails finish cooking, add your basting skillet to the smoker. Then, melt your clarified butter in the skillet until it becomes a smooth butter mixture.
Slowly stir in the rest of your spicy garlic butter recipe ingredients: the minced garlic, extra garlic cloves, chopped parsley, mustard grains, habanero hot sauce, and red chili flakes. Mix them together until you have an epic sauce that turns a bright orange hue.
Then, lightly glaze the outside of the lobster tails with this spicy garlic butter sauce. Save some extra sauce in a small bowl for dipping later.
Serving Time
Finally, when the cooking process is complete, and the smoked lobster tails are done, pull them off the smoker and let them rest for 2 minutes at the tail end. This pause helps the juices redistribute through the tender meat. Then, pour the leftover spicy garlic butter sauce into a dipping bowl. Drizzle some more butter over the meat side if you’re feeling extra. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Lobster Tails
Serve your smoked lobster meat with a side of crisp green beans and a drizzle of fresh lemon juice. Then, top it off with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Also, toss in a simple salad and other grilled veggies for a full-on turf dinner. This is a great way to impress any lobster fan on a special occasion.
Don’t miss out on Smoked Lobster Tails, Grilled Lobster Tail Skewers, Grilled Lobster Tail, and Sriracha Butter Lobster Tails!
Leftovers & Reheating Instructions
If you’ve got any leftover smoked lobster tails, stash them in an airtight container in the fridge. When it’s time to reheat, fire up your grill or smoker and set it to low, indirect heat. Gently warm the lobster tails, keeping them tender and juicy without overcooking.
For an extra flavor boost, brush on a bit more garlic butter mid-reheat. Optionally, a quick rinse with cold water before grilling can help refresh the texture. Enjoy that perfectly reheated, melt-in-your-mouth lobster with its signature smoky kick!
More garlic-butter recipes!
FAQs for the Smoked Lobster Tails Recipe
Coldwater lobsters, like those from Maine, are true lobsters boasting firm, sweet meat and iconic large claws due to their slow metabolism in cold temperatures. In contrast, warm water lobsters—often spiny lobsters—offer a more delicate texture and milder flavor while typically lacking those classic claws.
Absolutely—you can achieve that smoky flavor on a grill by using soaked wood chips and setting up for indirect cooking. This method infuses your lobster tails with rich smokiness, even without a dedicated smoker.
I recommend a mix of Old Bay Seasoning, black pepper, and a dash of garlic powder for perfectly seasoned lobster tails. Trust me, these smoked lobster tails will be the talk of your next backyard cookout!
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Smoked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter
Ingredients
Lobster:
- 6 Lobster Tails butterflied
- 2 tbsp of Seafood Seasoning
- 1 tbsp of Canola Oil
Spicy Garlic Butter:
- ½ cup of Clarified Butter
- 1 tbsp of Minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp of Chopped Parsley
- 1 tsp of Mustard Grains
- 1 tsp of Habanero Hot Sauce
- ½ tsp of Red Chili Flakes
Instructions
- Using kitchen shears, cut in the middle of the top of the lobster shell all the way down to the tail. Try to avoid cutting the meat.
- Once fully cut, use a spoon to go underneath the top of the shell to separate the meat from the shell. Carefully lift the meat up and out from the shell (while still attached at the base of the tail). Lay the meat on top of the shell.
- Using a knife, make shallow slits lengthwise down the meat. Repeat this for all the lobster tails.
- Lather your lobster tails with oil and then season them with your favorite seafood seasoning. Set aside until ready to use.
- Preheat your smoker to a medium-high temperature of 375F. Feel free to add wood chips or chunks for additional smoke flavor.
- Once the smoker is ready, add the lobster tails on and cook indirectly for 10-12 minutes. The lobster tails are done when they turn from translucent to completely white (or the internal temperature is 145F).
- About 10 minutes before the lobster tails are finished cooking, add your basting skillet to the smoker. Melt your clarified butter in the skillet then slowly integrate the rest of the Spicy Garlic Butter ingredients. Mix together thoroughly, then lightly glaze the outside of the lobster tails before they come off the smoker. Save some butter for dipping at the end!
- When the lobster tails are done, pull them off and let them cool for 2 minutes. Pour the leftover butter sauce into a dipping bowl. Serve and enjoy!
What temp are you smoking the lobster tails at. Not mentioned in your recipe thanks in advance
Sorry @375 on smoker was there ..to early in the morning sorry
Hello I’m just learning how to cook smoke lobster and a lot of other cooking I see that your smoking but watching you I’m smoking more on my then I ever did keep up the good work
Thank you for the great easy recipe!
Very informative thx for the recipe
I love seafood 🦞