Name: Garlic Butter Lobster Tails for Grilling Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 40 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: Seafood
Ingredients: 1.5 kg lobster tails (3.3 pounds); 2 bulbs garlic; 1 cup extra virgin olive oil (250 mL); 250 g salted butter at room temperature (1/2 pound); 30 g chives, roughly chopped (1 oz); 30 g parsley, roughly chopped (1 oz); 1 lemon (sliced into 4 cm rings); Salt + pepper

If you love seafood that’s rich, buttery, and packed with aromatic garlic, you’re going to adore this Garlic Butter Lobster Tails for Grilling Recipe. It’s a celebration of tender lobster meat infused with slow-roasted garlic and fresh herbs that’s perfect for your next summer BBQ.

A white plate holds chunks of light, white lobster meat mixed with light green herb sauce, showing a soft and slightly grilled texture with some orange lobster shell bits. Behind it, on a white plate with a dark blue rim, a split lobster tail with a bright red shell is laid open to show white meat inside, sprinkled with green herbs. To the side, there is half a grilled lemon with dark brown grill marks. All is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Lobster Tails for Grilling Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Garlic Butter Lobster Tails for Grilling Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Lobster Tails for Grilling Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Every time I make these lobster tails, it feels like a mini celebration. The combination of garlic confit butter and the smoky char from the grill creates such an irresistible flavor.

Deep Garlic Flavor: Slow-roasting the garlic in olive oil makes the butter incredibly aromatic and smooth.
Perfectly Grilled Lobster: The lobster tails cook quickly and get just the right amount of smoky char without drying out.
Fresh Herbs: Chives and parsley add a fresh, vibrant touch that keeps every bite bright.
Simple Yet Impressive: This dish looks gorgeous on the plate but is surprisingly easy to prepare.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Shopping for the freshest lobster tails and quality ingredients really elevates this dish. Look for firm lobster meat and vibrant, fresh herbs to make the best garlic butter.

Flat lay of three fresh raw lobster tails with deep red shells and white flesh, two whole bulbs of garlic with papery skins, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden extra virgin olive oil, a separate small white ceramic bowl holding a smooth pale yellow salted butter block, a small white ceramic bowl containing roughly chopped bright green chives, another small white ceramic bowl with roughly chopped vibrant green parsley, one whole lemon sliced into thick bright yellow rings, a small sprinkle of coarse salt crystals and whole black peppercorns scattered naturally around, all arranged symmetrically in realistic proportions placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Lobster tails: Fresh or high-quality frozen tails work best for tender, juicy meat.
Garlic bulbs: Whole bulbs for roasting transform into sweet, mellow garlic confit.
Extra virgin olive oil: Used for roasting garlic gently and infusing flavor.
Salted butter: Adds richness and creaminess to the garlic butter, balanced with the herbs.
Chives: Fresh, mild onion flavor that complements seafood beautifully.
Parsley: Brightens the butter and enhances the seafood flavors.
Lemon: Sliced and grilled to add a smoky citrus punch.
Salt & pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Garlic Butter Lobster Tails for Grilling Recipe is wonderfully versatile, letting you tweak the flavors or presentation to suit your mood or occasion. Whether you're craving a touch of extra heat or want to add a fresh twist, there’s plenty of room to personalize this succulent seafood dish.

Spicy Kick: I love adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a touch of cayenne to the garlic butter for a smoky, slightly spicy edge. It gives the lobster a subtle warmth that’s perfect for summer evenings.
Herb Swap: Try swapping parsley and chives with fresh tarragon or basil for a different herbal note. Tarragon’s anise-like flavor pairs beautifully with seafood, offering a fresh, slightly sweet aroma.
Citrus Twist: Instead of lemon slices, you can grill lime or orange slices to add a zesty, slightly sweeter citrus dimension. This variation is a hit when paired with tropical side dishes.
Dairy-Free Version: To keep it low lactose or dairy-free, swap the butter for a rich coconut oil blend mixed with your garlic confit and herbs. It still delivers that buttery, garlicky flavor with a tropical twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Butter Lobster Tails for Grilling Recipe

A white plate with blue patterns holds two lobster tails opened to show the white, chunky lobster meat inside. One tail is filled with whole lobster pieces mixed with a green herb butter sauce, while the other tail is stuffed with the same meat and sauce but shaped to fit the shell. Around the lobster are several halves of grilled lemons with dark char marks, adding a golden-yellow and brown color contrast. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Slow-Roast the Garlic to Perfection

Start by preheating your oven to 130 degrees Celsius—low and slow is the key here. While the oven warms, peel the garlic cloves by soaking them briefly in boiling water for 5 minutes to loosen the skins—this makes peeling a breeze and keeps those cloves whole and tender. Once peeled, nestle the garlic cloves snugly in an ovenproof dish and cover them fully with extra virgin olive oil so they roast evenly without burning. Pop that dish into the oven for about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. You’ll notice gentle bubbles in the oil and the garlic cloves turning deliciously soft and golden; that’s your cue that the confit is ready and bursting with mellow, rich garlic flavor.

Step 2: Whip Up Your Garlicky Herb Butter

Once your garlic confit is done, carefully remove the softened cloves from the oil and set the oil aside—it’s liquid gold for drizzling later or using in salads. In a food processor, combine the roasted garlic cloves, softened salted butter, chopped chives, parsley, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until it’s a smooth, creamy garlic butter. If you prefer doing it by hand, just mash everything together vigorously with a fork, making sure the herbs are finely chopped for a beautiful, rustic texture. Keep this garlic butter chilled until your grill is ready.

Step 3: Prep Your Lobster Tails for the Grill

Now for the stars of the show—lobster tails! Using kitchen scissors, carefully cut through the top of each hard shell, slicing down the middle while keeping the tail intact. Gently lift the meat out and place it on top of the shell for easier seasoning and grilling. Season generously with salt and pepper, then drizzle with some of the reserved garlic-infused olive oil to add extra richness and moisture during grilling.

Step 4: Fire Up the BBQ to 200°C (390°F)

Preheat your BBQ grill on high, closing the lid so the temperature climbs to a radiant 200 degrees Celsius (390 degrees Fahrenheit). This high heat sears the lobster perfectly, locking in those juicy flavors. While the grill heats, melt about half of your garlic butter gently on the stove or in the microwave—this luscious butter will be your basting sauce, so have it ready and warm.

Step 5: Grill Lobster and Lemon Slices with Love

Place the lobster tails flesh side down directly on the grill and scatter lemon slices around them. Close the lid and let them cook over medium-high heat for about 6 minutes, until the lobster flesh turns a beautiful pink and gets lightly charred for that perfect smoky flavor. Use metal tongs to carefully flip the tails and lemon slices over. Now, baste the lobster generously with your melted garlic butter. Close the lid again and continue cooking for another 4 minutes, basting every minute to keep the meat moist, flavorful, and glistening with buttery goodness.

Step 6: Serve and Savor Immediately

Remove your beautiful lobster tails and lemon slices from the grill and give them a final drizzle of the reserved melted garlic butter. Squeeze the grilled lemon over the lobster for a zesty burst, then serve immediately while warm and juicy. This dish pairs wonderfully with fresh summer salads or grilled vegetables, making it an unforgettable centerpiece for your next BBQ.

Top Tip

These tips come from countless hours spent perfecting the Garlic Butter Lobster Tails for Grilling Recipe — small details that elevate the flavors and outcome for an unforgettable meal.

Garlic Confit Care: Make sure to fully submerge the garlic cloves in olive oil while roasting to avoid any bitterness from burnt bits. I learned this the hard way during my early attempts!
Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature salted butter for the garlic butter blend, so it mixes smoothly without lumps, creating a rich and creamy sauce that coats the lobster perfectly.
Precise Lobster Butterfly: When cutting the lobster tails, keep the tail end intact so the meat cooks evenly and holds its shape on the grill. This technique makes flipping much easier and prettier on the plate.
Basting is Key: Don’t skip basting the lobster tails every minute during the last 4 minutes on the grill. This simple step locks in moisture and infuses that luxurious garlic butter flavor deeply.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Lobster Tails for Grilling Recipe

The image shows a black tray with two bright red lobster tails topped with a green herb butter sauce that looks smooth and creamy, filling the center of each tail. Around the lobster tails are six golden-brown grilled lemon halves with slightly charred edges. Next to the tray, there is a blue bowl with green herb butter sauce inside, and a wooden brush resting on the bowl's edge. The tray and bowl are placed on a black grill with a wooden floor beneath and a white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Charred lemon slices are a classic garnish here — their smoky brightness cuts through the butter’s richness. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or chives over the top for a vibrant, herbal finish. For a bit of crunch and color, lightly toasted breadcrumbs or crushed pistachios can be sprinkled on just before serving.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs beautifully with crisp summer salads featuring arugula, fennel, or cucumber to balance the richness. Grilled seasonal vegetables like asparagus, corn on the cob, or zucchini add to the smoky BBQ vibe. If you want some carbs, garlic butter new potatoes or a lemony orzo salad complement the lobster tails perfectly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover grilled lobster tails in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 2 days, making for a delicious second-day treat. Keep the garlic butter separate, wrapped tightly or in a sealed jar in the fridge, where it will stay fresh for up to 4 weeks.

Freezing

While fresh lobster is best, you can freeze cooked lobster tails wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag. Use them within 1 month for best taste and texture. Thaw overnight in the fridge before gently reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a low oven (around 150 degrees Celsius) for 10-15 minutes to avoid drying out the delicate lobster meat. Baste with reserved garlic butter before and after reheating for a luscious finish. Avoid microwaving as it can toughen the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen lobster tails for this Garlic Butter Lobster Tails for Grilling Recipe?

Yes, frozen lobster tails can be used. Just thaw them thoroughly in the refrigerator before grilling to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

How do I know when the lobster tails are done grilling?

You’ll see the lobster meat turn opaque pink and get a slight char on the edges. The total grilling time is about 10 minutes—6 minutes flesh side down and 4 minutes after flipping and basting.

Can I prepare the garlic butter in advance?

Absolutely. The garlic butter can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 4 weeks, making it super convenient for quick grilling sessions anytime.

What can I do with the leftover garlic confit olive oil?

The garlic-infused olive oil adds amazing flavor to salad dressings, roasted vegetables, or pasta dishes. Keep it in a sterilized jar at room temperature and use within a few weeks.

Final Thoughts

Cooking the Garlic Butter Lobster Tails for Grilling Recipe is a joyful experience that transforms a simple BBQ into something truly special. The slow-roasted garlic butter combined with fresh herbs and the bright pop of charred lemon brings out the lobster’s natural sweetness in the best way possible. Whether you’re celebrating a sunny summer day or treating loved ones to a decadent meal, this recipe promises to impress and satisfy. So fire up your grill, savor the process, and enjoy every buttery, garlicky bite!