Grilled Half-Lobster with Garlic Herb Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender lobster halves grilled to perfection and glazed with a fragrant garlic herb butter for a rich, smoky flavor. This seafood-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 25 minutes pairs halves live lobsters, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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 2 Seafood cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Split 2 live lobsters in half lengthwise and clean out the cavity.
  2. Step 2: In a small saucepan, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over low heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
  3. Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Brush the lobster meat generously with half of the garlic herb butter.
  5. Step 5: Place lobster halves flesh side down on the grill and cook for 4 minutes until grill marks form, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes brushing with remaining butter until lobster is opaque and cooked through.
  6. Step 6: Remove from grill and serve immediately with any leftover garlic herb butter for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Half-Lobster with Garlic Herb 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 Grilled Half-Lobster with Garlic Herb 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 halves live lobsters from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Half-Lobster with Garlic Herb 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 Grilled Half-Lobster with Garlic Herb Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Grilled Half-Lobster with Garlic Herb Butter?

Seafood bbq & smoked 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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