Smoked Lobster Tail Recipe (How to with Pellet Smoker)
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Smoked Lobster Tail is the definition of decadent and indulgent. It’s incredibly juicy, tender, and full of flavor on its own. You hardly need any seasonings to enjoy smoked seafood to its fullest! Do your best to resist the smoky aroma, and less than 30 minutes later, you’ll be feasting on Traeger lobster tail!
I love lobster meat. I still remember the first time I had it…It was like at a surf and turf dinner, and I was hooked.
The thing about prepared lobster tail is that it’s a great option for people who enjoy the texture and taste of delicate meat paired with simple ingredients.
There’s just a natural goodness of the lobster that makes it undeniably delicious.
I’ve been a lobster fan for years, and this lobster tail recipe is one of my favorites.
It’s made using the right ingredients that are simple and delicious, with a cooking time that works well.
The smokey flavor that comes through on the meat side is seriously out of this world!
These delicious lobster tails are a great way to whip up an amazing dish right in your own backyard.
You not only get the full flavors of smoking, but you can cook any size of tail that you want, from small lobster tails, medium lobster tails, or large succulent lobster to share.
I like to also have lemon juice and melted butter for my lobster tail meat, but it’s really up to you! Follow the steps on the recipe card below to get started.
The first step is the hardest, and it’s actually just getting up, walking out the door, and heading to the local grocery store to get your live lobster.
It’s a must for the cooking process and I promise you it will give you the best results!
Smoked Lobster Tail
Fresh lobster is delicious no matter how you eat it, but smoking takes it to a whole new level!
The tender flesh takes in that rich smoky flavor while enhancing the sweet, fresh, salty taste of the meat. Smoked lobster is a simple, mouthwatering delight!
Learning how to smoke lobster tail is even simpler than the seasonings on it.
This luxurious-tasting main course that is best in the summer months, when lobsters are in season.
But, you can often find fresh shellfish in stores during the month of December for the holidays.
Smoked lobster tail is an amazing feast for New Year’s Eve!! Each buttery bite melts in your mouth and bursts with flavorful juices and seasonings!
If you love seafood and want to make a big seafood feast, consider smoking salmon and shrimp as well — or, try our incredible steamed clams.
You could also create a surf and turf platter with smoked roast beef or brisket.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Lobster – There is an art to picking the right shellfish, but it doesn’t have to be tricky! Look for these main qualities: caught in cold water, hard-shelled, and no discoloration.
Also, make sure the tails are roughly the same weight for even cooking. - Italian Flat Leaf Parsley – Italian parsley has a strong, fresh flavor that is perfect for smoked seafood!
You can certainly use curly-leaf parsley if you must, but you will really taste the difference with the flat-leaf. - Chili Paste – A bit of spice really sets smoked lobster apart. It’s not too overpowering at all, though you can always add more for extra heat.
And if you don’t have chili paste, you can just sprinkle on some red pepper flakes or cayenne instead. - Butter – A bit of butter goes a long way with shellfish! Grab some salted butter and allow it to come to room temperature for easy melting.
How to Smoke Lobster Tail
- Thaw before prepping.
If you’ll be using frozen seafood, allow it to thaw in the fridge before cutting through the shell to prepare it.
Thawing can take a long time, around 24 hours — so plan ahead!
- Baste it often.
It’s worth it to be a bit more hands-on and regularly baste smoked seafood with butter. This makes the lobster tails more tender and keeps them from drying out.
They’ll be insanely juicy in the end!
- Use the right wood pellets.
Fruit-flavored wood chips, such as apple or cherry, are often recommended when smoking seafood.
Since lobsters are naturally sweet, the two flavors meld together perfectly!
- Keep an eye on the temperature.
Preparing fish and shellfish is a bit of a delicate matter, though. Keep an eye on the temperature and be sure not to overcook it.
Otherwise, the smoked lobster will become tough and lose all of its flavor.
Serving Suggestions
There are plenty of barbecue side dishes that go well with smoked lobster tail. My favorites are grilled asparagus, Southern potato salad, and pasta salads.
If you want to serve Traeger lobster tail for the holidays, you can’t go wrong with smoked baked potatoes!
You can also enjoy it with green beans, or just some fresh lemon wedges on the side.
Storing and Reheating Smoked Lobster
The safe zone for cooked seafood is 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Keep it fresh for as long as possible by storing smoked lobster tail in an airtight container.
Most importantly, don’t reheat it multiple times.
To reheat, slide the leftover smoked seafood (shell and all) into the oven at 350°F until warm.
You could also microwave, but be very careful and deliberate — 15 seconds or so at a time, checking to make sure it isn’t too hot. You really don’t want to overcook it!
Traeger Lobster Tail FAQ
It takes about 20 minutes to cook lobster tails on a pellet grill, once preheated to 275°F.
Yes! You can lay the shell directly onto the smoker.
But there is a bit of preparation involved: you need to loosen the meat and then place it back in the shell.
The meat should reach at least 140°F to be deemed safe for consumption. Check the temperature in the thickest part of the meat.
Overcooking can really ruin the lobster, so try not to cook it past that point.
Smoking allows for really gradual cooking, so you should be able to remove it from the heat at just the right time!
Once it’s cooked, all the rest of the butter mixture, and enjoy! New recipes like this are the best!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Smoker Recipes
Smoked Lobster Tail Recipe (How to with Pellet Smoker)
Ingredients
- 4 lobster tails
- 2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Italian flat leaf parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili paste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 275°F.
- With a pair of kitchen shears, cut down the center of the lobster tail shell, stopping just before the actual tail.
- Using two hands, open the shell, while keeping it intact. Use a finger or a spoon to loosen the lobster meat inside, being careful to keep it in one piece. Set the meat on top of the lobster tail.
- Add the melted butter, parsley, and spices to a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture evenly over the lobster tails.
- Place the lobster tails directly on rack of preheated smoker and cook for 20 minutes.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally Published July 2022, updated and republished July 2024
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Lobster tail is one of my all time favorites, and smoked is the way to go! Would love to have this everyday!
The smoked lobster tail was amazing! The flavor was incredible and the recipe was super easy to follow.
Hi Olivia!
We’re so glad you enjoyed.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn