Grilled Lobster Tails with Citrus Herb Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

Succulent lobster tails grilled to perfection and brushed with a zesty citrus herb butter, perfect for a summer seafood feast. This summer cookout recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs lobster tails, unsalted butter, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Ingredients

• 4 tails (about 6 oz each) lobster tails
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Using kitchen shears, cut down the top shell of each of the 4 lobster tails and gently pull the meat out to rest on top of the shell.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 6 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp orange zest, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix until smooth and set aside.
3. Step 3: Brush the lobster meat lightly with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent sticking and place the tails meat-side down on the grill. Cook for 5 minutes until the shell is charred and the meat begins to firm.
4. Step 4: Flip the lobster tails over and brush generously with half of the citrus herb butter mixture. Grill for another 3-4 minutes until the meat is opaque and cooked through, basting once more with the remaining butter before removing from heat.
5. Step 5: Serve immediately, spooning any remaining citrus herb butter over the lobster for an aromatic finish.