Smoked lobster tail is one of the easiest and most impressive seafood dishes you can make at home. Not only is it stunning to look at, but it’s also packed with flavor. The key to smoked lobster tail is to start with high-quality seafood. I like to use lobster tails that are wild-caught and sustainable.
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Once you’ve found the perfect lobster tails, the next step is to smoke them. This can be done using a smoker or a grill. If you’re using a smoker, I recommend smoking the lobster for about 45 minutes. If you’re using a grill, you’ll want to cook the lobster over indirect heat for about 30 minutes. Once the lobster is smoked, it’s time to serve.
I like to serve smoked lobster tail with grilled vegetables and a simple salad. But smoked lobster tail would also be great served over pasta or rice. No matter how you serve it, smoked lobster tail is sure to impress your guests. You can serve this perfect surf and turf meal to win the show when hosting a holiday dinner.
Smoked lobster goes great with various side dishes, but I love pairing it with Smoked Asparagus, Smoked Baked Potatoes, or Smoked Sweet potatoes! All side dishes work perfectly with a smoked lobster tail!
Smoked Lobster Tail
There are several recipes for making lobster tail meat, but the recipe we will be walking you through today is my all time favourite. Without any further delay, let’s get started with the best Smoked Lobster Tail recipe.
This recipe can be prepared using an electric smoker, charcoal grill, or pellet smoker. I will be using a pellet smoker along with hot coals and some wood chips.
How to Make Smoked Lobster Tails
Step 1 – Preparing the smoker with desired wood chips
Thoroughly clean the smoker grates and light up your smoker, maintain the internal temperature of the smoker at 225ºF.
Step 2 – Pulling out the meat from the shell
Smoking lobster tails is not difficult, but getting the meat ready for smoking is sure a delicate procedure.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIf you get the fresh lobster tails, then there is no need to do anything. You can directly go for the marination and smoking, but if you have the frozen lobster tails, they need to be thawed slowly in the refrigerator for almost 24 hours before cooking. If you are in a rush to prepare lobster tails for dinner, run cold water over them, and you will get the thawed lobster tails within almost 3-4 hours.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNow it’s time to pull off the shell from the meat. For doing that, take a cutting board, put the lobster on it. With the help of the kitchen shears cut a slit on the top of the tail from the front where the tail fin begins. Now cut through the tail segments, keeping it on the cutting board fin away from you. Now use your fingers to pull off the lobster shell gently. Do it very carefully so that you must not leave any broken piece of the shell behind. Partially clean the exposed meat and rinse it off with cold water.
Step 3 – Preparing the butter mixture for marination
Take a small saucepan and heat the butter in it. In that melted butter, add BBQ rub, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Set the saucepan aside for almost 30 minutes so that a paste form is made.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAfter that, take the lobster tails and thoroughly marinate them with that mixture. Make sure no area gets left behind.
Step 4 – Put the tails on the smoker for grilling
After the marination is done, place the tails onto the grill with an internal temperature maintained at 225ºF. Smoke lobster tails for almost 45- 60 minutes, and with the help of a BBQ temperature probe, check if the meat temperature has reached 145ºF. If the desired temperature is acquired, consider it done.
Step 5 – Serving time
When the internal temperature of the tails is 145ºF, it means the lobster tails are done and ready to be served with some mesmerizing garnish.
Tips for Making The Best Smoked Lobster Tail
- Fresh is best. You can easily purchase this seafood from any grocery store or a supermarket but make sure it’s fresh! Fresh lobster will give you the best flavour when cooked properly.
- Butter it up. Lobster is best served with some delicious garlic butter. It’s the perfect accompaniment to your seafood meal
- Different BBQ’s. Try to cook smoked lobster tail on different types of BBQ’s. From Pellet Grills to Charcoal, or even the new Ninja Woodfire Grill! Any of these are a great option.
Best Beer To Pair With Smoked Lobster Tail
Prepare to embark on a seafood adventure fit for royalty with your Smoked Lobster Tail! This elegant and smoky masterpiece deserves the perfect beer companion to elevate your dining experience. Let’s dive into the top beer pairings that will make your lobster tail a true culinary delight.
Belgian Tripel
Belgian Tripel, with its fruity, spicy notes and effervescent character, is like a royal fanfare for your Smoked Lobster Tail. The beer’s complexity and lively flavors complement the lobster’s delicate sweetness and smokiness. The effervescence of the Tripel refreshes your palate, making each bite feel like a regal taste adventure. This pairing is as elegant as a grand banquet and as delightful as a feast fit for a king or queen.
Champagne
Champagne, the sparkling icon of celebration, is a perfect match for your lobster tail. Its crisp, dry nature enhances the natural flavors of the seafood while adding a touch of elegance to your meal. The fine bubbles of Champagne cleanse your palate, making every bite of lobster a luxurious experience. This pairing is like a toast to gourmet excellence, where the lobster reigns supreme and the Champagne adds a touch of glamour.
Saison
Saison, with its fruity and slightly spicy profile, is like a dance of flavors with your Smoked Lobster Tail. Its lively character complements the lobster’s delicate sweetness and smokiness, creating a harmonious taste experience. The beer’s effervescence adds an extra layer of excitement to every bite. This pairing is like a culinary celebration, where the lobster takes center stage, and the Saison adds a joyful twist to the party.
More Smoked Seafood Recipes
If you’re looking to try other smoked seafood recipes, then you must try our Smoked Cod, Smoked Shrimp, or Grilled Salmon recipes. They are healthy, easy to make, and simply delicious.
- Smoked Lobster Recipe
- Smoked Turkey Tails
- 23 Quick Smoker Recipes for Busy Pitmasters
- Seafood Rub
- Lamb Seasoning Recipe
Smoked Lobster Tail Recipe
Equipment
- Smoker Pellets
- Kitchen Shears
- Poultry scissors
- Small saucepan
- Temperature probe
Ingredients
- 2-4 Â Lobster Tails
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1/4 lbs butter
- 1 tbsp BBQ rub
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Start your smoker, grab your pellets, and get the temperature stable of 225ºF.
- Prepare the lobster for separating the shell and meat.
- Prepare the butter mixture and marinate tail meat.
- Place the lobster tails directly onto the grill and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 145ºF.
- Remove from the grill and enjoy!
Smoked Lobster FAQs
How long does it take to smoke a lobster tail?
The total time required to smoke a lobster tail is almost 45 minutes. To enjoy the best tender meat, do not overcook it. Leaving the tails on the grill for more than 45 minutes will ruin the taste and texture of the meat.
Can you smoke live lobster?
Yes, you can. Placing the lobster in your smoker with their split-side shells facing up will allow you to see some of the meat underneath. Every 15 minutes or so, baste the tails with the butter mixture you prepared earlier. Smoke them for about 45 minutes.
Do you wash lobster tail before cooking?
Yes, you should wash lobster tails before cooking either you purchase fresh lobsters or frozen lobsters. You should rinse off the tail’s exterior. If you want to make sure the lobsters are cleaned, scrub the shell of the lobsters only, not the exposed meat. Also, do not soak the lobsters, the meat can absorb water.
What temperature do you smoke lobster?
Set your grill or smoker to 225 degrees and start cooking. The lobster tails are ready to go in the smoker once your smoker has reached 225 degrees.
How do you split a lobster tail?
Take a lobster, roll the tail inwards, push it, give it a little twist and pull it. By doing this, you will have the proper tail along with meat. Secondly, put the lobster on it. With the help of the kitchen shears cut a slit on the top of the tail from the front where the tail fin begins. Now cut through the tail segments, keeping it on the cutting board fin away from you. Now use your fingers to pull off the lobster shell gently.
How do you know when lobster tails are done?
The best way to check is if the internal temperature has reached 145ºF on the thickest part, consider it cooked.