Smoked lobster tails are the ultimate way to elevate your backyard cookout. Gently kissed with wood smoke and finished with garlic butter, these rich and flavorful tails are shockingly easy to make—yet taste like you ordered them from a high-end steakhouse. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself, this recipe delivers elegance with smoky flair.
Smoking the lobster tails 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.
Jump to:
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Rich smoky flavor – Smoking adds a deeper, more complex flavor you don’t get from baking or air frying
- Perfect for outdoor cooking – Great for summer cookouts or when you already have the smoker going
- Surprisingly easy to make – Just season, place on the smoker, and let it cook
- Great alternative to oven lobster – A fun way to switch things up if you’ve already tried baked lobster tails
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.
Substitution Tips
- Butter: Use light butter , butter spray, or ghee for a lighter option
- Olive oil spray: For WW-friendly prep
- Try Old Bay, Cajun seasoning, or a touch of crushed red pepper for a kick
- Lobster alternatives: This method also works for jumbo shrimp or crab legs
- 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.
- You can also bake lobster tails in the oven if you don't have a smoker. Baked Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter
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 wood chips can be used.
Note: Sometimes the white juices from the lobster tail will leak out on the grill. That is called hemolymph.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with Traeger Smoked Asparagus, Blackstone Corn on the Cob (with Grilling Instructions), or Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes with Garlic
- Serve with a side of drawn butter, lemon wedges, and a crisp white wine
- Turn leftovers into a lobster roll, tacos, or a lobster salad over greens
- Add the smoked lobster to Lobster Mac and Cheese
Craving more smoked favorites? Try Spicy Smoked Chicken Thighs - Ninja Foodi Grill, or How to Smoke Cheese (Using Smoker Tube) for your next backyard feast.
How to Cook Lobster Tails (Other Methods)
If you don’t have a smoker, there are other easy ways to cook lobster tails:
Broiled lobster tails – Adds a slightly crispy, caramelized top
Oven (baked lobster tails) – The easiest and most beginner-friendly method
Air fryer lobster tails – Fast and great for smaller portions
Uses for Smoked Lobster Tails
Add it to this recipe for Ina Garten Lobster Mac and Cheese
Make this Lobster Bisque Pasta Trader Joe's
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.
It’s best to thaw lobster tails first so they cook evenly and don’t become tough.
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.