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Smoked Lobster Tails
Lobster Louie

How to Smoke Lobster Tails Like a Pro

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Smoking lobster tails on the grill allows you to add the extra dimension of sweet smoke to your lobster as it cooks low and slow, intensifying its natural flavor while keeping it tender. "For another delicious preparation, try our Lobster Tails with Balsamic Dressing.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Smoke
Cuisine: Smoke
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Along with your lobster tails you will need just a handful of ingredients to compliment this recipe. Have fun playing with flavors and customizing it to your favorites.
  • Piggyback Lobster Tails: Piggyback your lobster tails will allow you to season all of the meat expose it to that kiss of smoke, and also make for a beautiful presentation.
  • Two chunks of wood for smoking: You want to pick a lighter flavored wood that will complement the natural sweetness of the lobster meat and not overpower it. Chris Sussman recommends using applewood.
  • Remote probe thermometer: This tool of the trade is completely optional but will allow you to monitor the internal temperature of your lobster tails without opening up your grill.
  • Olive oil: The olive oil will help your seasoning of choice adhere to the lobster meat.
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper
  • Butter: Either salted or unsalted butter will work but keep in mind how much seasoning you add when using salted butter. Try our small batch butter made in Maine.
  • Chopped parsley for serving
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Method
 

  1. Prepare Your Tails for Smoking: Trim the legs on the bottom of the shell for presentation before flipping the lobster over to piggyback. Use kitchen shears to carefully cut down the middle of the top part of the shell stopping at the fin. Gently run your fingers inside the shell and ease the meat free. Pull it up and over to rest on top of the shell.
    Prep Smoke Lobster Tails
  2. Season the Tail Meat: Either brush or rub olive oil onto your tails. Season your tails with your desired spices or rub. 
    Season Smoked Lobster Tails
  3. Prepare Grill for Smoking: Prepare your grill for indirect cooking, adding two chunks of wood. You want to heat your grill to 250 degrees.
    Temperature Smoked Lobster Tails
  4. Smoke and Grill Tails: Place your lobster tails on the grill, shell side down. If using a remote thermometer place the probe in the thickest part of the meat at this time.
    How long to smoke lobster tails
  5. Baste in Butter: Allow your lobster tails to grill uninterrupted for 30 minutes. Remember every time you open your grill it drops the temperature, adding to the cooking time. After 30 minutes melt your butter on the grill. Allow the lobster tails and butter to continue to smoke for an additional 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the tails are 140 degrees.
    Butter Smoke Lobster Tails
  6. Serve Roasted Tails: To serve your lobster tails you can either remove them from the shell or serve them with the shell for presentation. Serve them with the melted smoked butter, lemon wedges, and fresh parsley. 

Notes

Seasoning tips:
Simple: sea salt and freshly cracked pepper
Classic: seafood seasoning
BBQ: favorite barbecue rub
For a citrusy twist, consider making Lobster Tails with Lime Butter or Spice things up with our Broiled Lobster Tails with Jalapeno Butter.

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