Barbecued Moreton Bay Bug Tails with Lemon Myrtle Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Sweet and tender Moreton Bay bug tails grilled over high heat and brushed with fragrant lemon myrtle-infused butter, perfect for a seafood BBQ. This australian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs softened unsalted butter, lemon myrtle powder, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Australian cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill to high heat (around 450°F). Rinse 6 Moreton Bay bug tails and pat dry.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter, 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Mix until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Brush bug tails lightly with 2 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Place bug tails shell side down on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes until shells are bright red and meat is opaque.
  5. Step 5: Flip and grill meat side down for 1-2 minutes, brushing generously with lemon myrtle butter.
  6. Step 6: Remove from grill, serve immediately with remaining lemon myrtle butter melted on top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Barbecued Moreton Bay Bug Tails with Lemon Myrtle Butter take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Barbecued Moreton Bay Bug Tails with Lemon Myrtle Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep softened unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Barbecued Moreton Bay Bug Tails with Lemon Myrtle Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Barbecued Moreton Bay Bug Tails with Lemon Myrtle Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Barbecued Moreton Bay Bug Tails with Lemon Myrtle Butter?

Australian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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