How to Smoke Lobster Tails Like a Pro

As winter gives way to spring, we all find ourselves wanting to get outside and enjoy the blue skies and sunshine. What better way to celebrate the new season than firing up the grill to smoke lobster tails.Learn how to smoke lobster tails at home with our easy instructions. Discover what makes Maine lobster tails the best in our guide on the Best Lobster Tails.

How to Smoke Lobster Tails
Smoked lobster tails with plenty of butter by Chris Sussman, The BBQ Buddha

Why Smoke Lobster Tails?

Aside from it’s fun to get outside and play with fire, the process of cooking lobster tails low and slow on the grill adds a smoky dimension to their already sweet and succulent flavor while keeping their texture tender.

For this article we will be discussing how to smoke lobster tails on a kamado style grill. Whether you’re firing up your Big Green Egg or getting your charcoal going for your Kamado Joe, the process will be the same. For a pure lobster flavor, consider steaming. Learn how in our guide on How to Steam Lobster Tails.

Types of Grills and Smokers for Lobster

Before we begin however, let’s discuss what a kamado grill is. A kamado style grill is a usually ceramic based grill. Unlike metal grills, ceramic conducts and retains heat more evenly. This style grill is ideal for both hot and fast cooking, such as searing a steak, and also slow and low. It’s suited for all types of cooking and recipes, from sizzling up your favorite shrimp skewers to wood fired pizzas. If you’re working with frozen tails, check out our tips for Grilling Frozen Lobster Tails.

Like other types of charcoal grills, you can use lump charcoal, briquettes, and wood to provide the fuel.

What Size Should I Choose to Smoke Lobster Tails

All great cooks start with a game plan and the right ingredients. What size lobster tails you decide on depends on how many people you will be cooking for. In addition, what is your cooking goal? Are you serving this as part of a surf and turf dinner? Or are these spectacular smoked stars of the sea going to be the main event?

6-7 oz medium lobster tails make an ideal companion to all of your turf favorites. To wow your family and friends our 8-10 oz jumbo lobster tails will be a feast for all of your senses. Chris Sussman of The BBQ Buddha recommends picking tails that are around 6-7 oz for a cook like this. Discover what makes Maine lobster tails the best in our guide on the Best Lobster Tails.

Amazing Monster Lobster Tails
I never thought that there could more lobster than I could eat, but these Monster Tails showed me who’s boss….and it wasn’t me! They were absolutely the biggest things I’d ever seen and it took me and my husband 3 days to completely finish our fabulous tails! This was an amazing Valentines meal I won’t forget! Kudos to you all for the superlative service and products you provide! This is our 3rd or 4th time ordering from you and we have never been disappointed!
Christine, Albuquerque, NM
Order Lobster Tails
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Smoked Lobster Tails

How to Smoke Lobster Tails Like a Pro

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

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.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4

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

Instructions

  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.

  • Author: Lobster Louie
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Smoke
  • Cuisine: American

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Smoke Lobster Tails

Why smoke lobster tails?

Smoking lobster tails cooks the succulent lobster meat at a lower temperature while infusing it with the sweet flavor of smoke. For various cooking methods, check out our comprehensive guide on How to Cook Lobster Tails: Boil, Bake, Broil, Steam and Grill. Smoked lobster tails are perfect for special occasions. Discover more ideas in our guide on Lobster Tails for Holidays and Celebrations.

What type of wood should I use to smoke lobster tails?

You want to pick a wood that will complement the natural sweetness of the lobster meat and not overpower it. Applewood, maple, and pecan are all good options.

What seasoning should I use to smoke lobster tails?

You can keep it simple with a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, go classic with your favorite seafood seasoning, or play up the barbecue flavors with a barbecue rub.

What temperature should I smoke lobster tails at?

This is a guide for a hot smoke, so we recommend smoking your lobster tails at 250 degrees, indirect.

What temperature should I cook lobster tails to?

In order to keep the lobster meat tender we recommend cooking your lobster to 140 degrees.

How long does it take to smoke lobster tails?

When it comes to grilling and smoking you are cooking to the internal temperature of the meat more than by time, but it should take about an hour.

See our cooking recipes like How to cook Lobster Tails and more

What are your thoughts?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star


A link to set a new password will be sent to your email address.


Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy.