BBQ Lobster Tails with Butter and Sauce Combo are grilled to tender perfection and finished with rich garlic butter and a smoky-sweet barbecue glaze. This easy grilled lobster tail recipe delivers steakhouse-quality results at home—perfect for special occasions, summer cookouts, and impressive backyard BBQ dinners.
Yields 4 Servings Servings Quarter (1 Serving) Half (2 Servings) Default (4 Servings) Double (8 Servings) Triple (12 Servings) Prep Time 15 minsCook Time 15 minsTotal Time 30 minsFor the Lobster Tails
4 lobster tails, thawed if frozen
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Garlic Butter
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped parsley
BBQ Glaze
½ cup BBQ sauce (smoky or honey-style)
1 tbsp melted butter
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp smoked paprika
For Serving (Optional)
Lemon wedges
Extra melted butter
Fresh herbs
Prep the lobster tails
1
Using kitchen shears, cut shell lengthwise down the center.
Gently pull meat up and rest it on top of the shell (butterfly style).
Brush meat lightly with olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper.
Make the sauces
2
Garlic butter: Mix melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, and parsley.
BBQ glaze: Whisk BBQ sauce, melted butter, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and smoked paprika.
Reserve some of each for finishing.
Preheat the grill
Grill the lobster
Butter & glaze
Rest & serve
Side Information (Perfect Lobster Pairings)
7
Grilled asparagus or broccolini
Garlic mashed potatoes or rice pilaf
Grilled corn with BBQ butter
Simple green or citrus salad
Crusty bread for dipping
Pairing Suggestions
8
Wine: Chardonnay, Champagne, Sauvignon Blanc
Beer: Pilsner, wheat beer, or light lager
Non-alcoholic: Sparkling water with lemon, iced green tea, or lemonade
Tips & Notes
9
Shell-side down protects the meat from overcooking.
Sauce late—BBQ sugars burn quickly.
Don’t overcook: lobster turns rubbery fast.
If tails curl, skewer lengthwise to keep them flat.
Surf & turf friendly—pair with steak or grilled vegetables.
Ingredients For the Lobster Tails
4 lobster tails, thawed if frozen
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Garlic Butter
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped parsley
BBQ Glaze
½ cup BBQ sauce (smoky or honey-style)
1 tbsp melted butter
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp smoked paprika
For Serving (Optional)
Lemon wedges
Extra melted butter
Fresh herbs
Directions Prep the lobster tails
1
Using kitchen shears, cut shell lengthwise down the center.
Gently pull meat up and rest it on top of the shell (butterfly style).
Brush meat lightly with olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper.
Make the sauces
2
Garlic butter: Mix melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, and parsley.
BBQ glaze: Whisk BBQ sauce, melted butter, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and smoked paprika.
Reserve some of each for finishing.
Preheat the grill
Grill the lobster
Butter & glaze
Rest & serve
Side Information (Perfect Lobster Pairings)
7
Grilled asparagus or broccolini
Garlic mashed potatoes or rice pilaf
Grilled corn with BBQ butter
Simple green or citrus salad
Crusty bread for dipping
Pairing Suggestions
8
Wine: Chardonnay, Champagne, Sauvignon Blanc
Beer: Pilsner, wheat beer, or light lager
Non-alcoholic: Sparkling water with lemon, iced green tea, or lemonade
Tips & Notes
9
Shell-side down protects the meat from overcooking.
Sauce late—BBQ sugars burn quickly.
Don’t overcook: lobster turns rubbery fast.
If tails curl, skewer lengthwise to keep them flat.
Surf & turf friendly—pair with steak or grilled vegetables.
