Smoked lobster tails are a gourmet delight that combines the rich, succulent flavor of lobster with the deep, smoky essence imparted by the smoking process.
This culinary technique elevates the natural sweetness and tenderness of lobster, making it a perfect dish for special occasions or when you want to impress your guests. Preparing smoked lobster tails involves a few key steps to ensure you achieve the best flavor and texture.
I had a hankering for some lobster rolls and since it’s Summer out now you have to smoke the lobster or grill it. Depending on the size of the lobster tails you get, the small lobster tails take no time at all on the smoker. I picked up some lobster tails ranging in size from 4oz to 6 oz at the grocery store this Memorial Day weekend.
If you love smoking food in the Summertime try these out: Smoked Whole Chicken, How to Smoke Cheese, Easy Smoked Salmon Recipe, smoked asparagus, and smoked salsa.
Jump to:
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Lobster is full of protein! A 3 oz serving of lobster has 19 g of protein. These lobster tails are about 3 - 5 oz.
Served my lobster tails with some fresh watermelon and corn which are both 0 points. It was a very yummy and filling Memorial Day dinner for only 0 points.
I know a lot of people like to dip their lobster in melted butter but I prefer using I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray on my corn on the cob and lobster. You can make a garlic butter to brush over the lobster.
If you don’t have a smoker to try Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter instead. They only take about 5 minutes per side on the grill at medium-high heat.
Ingredients Needed
- 4 (4 to 6oz) lobster tails
- Butter or olive oil -
- Salt and Pepper - to taste
- See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to make Smoked Lobster Tails
Step 1: Preheat your smoker for 5 minutes or until the temperature reaches 100 degrees.
Step 2: Cut a slit down the middle of the lobster tail and season it with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Note: Use a sharp scissors to cut down the middle of the lobster tails. Lobster tails can be very wet to work with soo have some paper towels handy. Use gloves if needed.
Step 3: Set the smoker to 225 degrees. Place your lobster tails on the smoker with the slit side up for about 1 hr. Any type of woodchips can be used.
Note: Sometimes the white juices from the lobster tail will leak out on the grill. That is called hemolymph.
Expert Tips for Smoking Food
The smoker is so great for cooking simple basic food like smoked corn on the cob, smoked meatloaf, bbq ribs for beginners, and smoked salmon. The smoke gives the salmon an extra layer of flavor that you wouldn’t get from a grill.
What Smoker do I have? I have had my Traeger smoker for a very long time and I would recommend that brand to anyone wanting to learn how to smoke food. Traegers are kind of pricey but there are some very reasonably priced smokers for under $100.
Some smokers require a preheat before setting the actual temperature to the desired one. Read the instruction manual your smoker came with to make sure.
Wood Chips or Pellets: There are so many different kinds of wood chips to experiment with and you can find them at any hardware store. Places like Target and Wal-Mart also sell them. I’ve even seen wood chips at the grocery stores.
What to Serve with Smoked Lobster Tails?
Save lobster for Ina Garten's Lobster Mac and Cheese Recipe or make Lobster Rolls.
Smoked Corn on the Cob and Smoked Potatoes in Foil are great for vegetable side dishes. You can smoke all these foods at the same time if you're making lobster tails cause each of them take about an hour to smoke.
Make some Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon, Bacon Wrapped Green Beans, or my Aunt Carol's Potato Salad.
Make some Watermelon Salsa for a side dish or just simply cut up some watermelon.
Recipe FAQs
Smoked lobster tails can take anywhere from 45 min to 1 hr at 225 degrees. Lobster tails are done when the meat is white and the tail has turned bright red.
Yes, lobster tails are good smoked depending on what type of wood chips you use. Use Applewood, pecan, or hickory for the best-tasting smoked lobster tails.
I think lobster tail is better smoked but I also like Grilled Lobster Tails. Grilled or smoked lobster tails give the meat more flavor.
It is not recommended to eat lobster every other day because of the high amount of cholesterol in them. 1 cup of lobster meat has an entire day worth of cholesterol!
More Great Smoker Recipes to Try:
If you tried this Smoked Lobster Tails or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Recipes Diaries.
Smoked Lobster Tails
- Prep Time: 60 min
- Cook Time: 60 min
- Total Time: 60 min
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Smoke
- Cuisine: American
Description
Smoked lobster tails are perfect for an outdoor BBQ and they are great served with some watermelon and corn on the cob!
Ingredients
- 4 (4 to 6oz) lobster tails
- 4 tsp of olive oil
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker for 5 minutes or until the temperature reaches 100 degrees.
- In a bowl toss your lobster tails with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
- Set the smoker to 225 degrees. Place your lobster tails on the smoker with the slit side up for about 1 hr. Any type of woodchips can be used.
Notes
1 smart point for 1 lobster tail and 1 corn.
Note: Use a sharp scissors to cut down the middle of the lobster tails. Lobster tails can be very wet to work with soo have some paper towels handy. Use gloves if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lobster tail
- Calories: 286
- Sugar: 0g
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 29g
Chris R. says
First time smoking lobster tail. I split them- there is a YouTube on how. Had the smoker also going for brisket. I soaked them in a little salt water after split and then peppered and olive oil. It took almost an hour- which is great because some side dish is good. Boch Choi was a good pairing and quick so when the lobster was ready, it only took 10 minutes. Bite size chunks, sesame oil, pepper and chili flakes, 3 cloves garlic. Butter and lemon squeeze - perfect.