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    Home » Recipes » Smoker

    Smoked Lobster Tails

    Published: Nov 13, 2021 · Modified: Nov 6, 2022 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    These smoked lobster tails are rich and buttery with the flavors of citrus and garlic. Smoking lobster tails imparts a depth of flavor that you won't find in traditionally prepared lobster tails.

    Lobster is one of my favorite shellfish, and smoking is my husband's go-to method of cooking literally anything. So we decided to combine the two and created these deliciously prepared smoky lobster tails.

    three smoked lobster topped with butter and parsley served with hot butter in a white bowl and lemon slices. Placed on a large banana leaf.
A fork dipping lobster tail meat into the hot butter can be seen in the background.

    Smoking Lobster Tails

    This was inspired by my smoked black cod recipe on this site, and pairs well with this Italian cheese bread recipe. The flavor of the smoky lobster tail is perfect with the flavors of the cheese bread, which tastes just like Cheddar Bay Biscuits, by the way.

    Ingredients

    It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this dish. You can easily find them all at your local grocery store. Even the banana leaf is surprisingly easy to find.

    • Lobster tails
    • Salted butter
    • Garlic cloves
    • Sea salt flakes
    • Smoked paprika
    • Lemon, juiced
    • Banana leaf
    • Parsley for garnish
    • Sliced lemon
    • Sliced shallot

    Instructions

    Making these lobster tails is incredibly easy. It only takes a few simple steps to create this delicious, smoky lobster feast.

    Step 1: Prep

    Preheat the smoker to 350 degrees and soak the banana leaves in hot water to soften them. Meanwhile, cut a slit down the center of the lobster tail shell and gently tug the meat out and over the shell.

    Step 2: Make the Compound Butter

    Combine the softened butter, crushed garlic, sea salt, smoked paprika, and lemon juice in a small mixing bowl, using a spatula to meld thoroughly.

    Step 3: Prepare the Lobster for Smoking

    Brush the prepared lobster tail liberally with the butter mixture, creating a thick layer. Top with lemon slices and shallots, and then wrap it all in the banana leaf.

    Step 4: Smoke the Tails

    Place the wrapped lobster tails directly onto the grill grate and smoke for 25 minutes. Chicke to be sure the lobster is cooked. It should be white with an internal temperature of 140 degrees.

    Hint: Be patient when pulling the meat partially out of the tail. If it doesn't come out easily at first, just keep working. If you pull too hard, you could end up with the meat completely removed!

    Substitutions

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand orr want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change things up while smoking lobster tails.

    • Onions - If you don't have shallots, you can use onions.
    • Lemon Juice - If you don't have a juice, just use lemon juice.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this smoked lobster tails recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Spicy - Add chili pepper flakes to the butter for a spicy kick.
    • Regular Paprika - While smoked paprika is preferred, regular paprika will do in a pinch.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy air fryer bacon wrapped scallops.

    birds eye image of three smoked lobster topped with butter and parsley served with hot butter in a white bowl, parsley and lemon slices. Placed on a large banana leaf. Placed on top of a wooden cutting board and table.
More Lobster meat in a white bowl with a fork.
A red and pink colored kitchen cloth, parsley and lemon slices also present on the table

    Equipment

    It doesn't take much of anything to make these delicious lobster tails. Just a few simple kitchen staples are all you'll need.

    • Mixing bowl
    • Spatula
    • Knife
    • Cutting board
    • Smoker

    Storage

    You can store this lobster in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for three to four days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to twelve months.

    Tips

    This is an extremely straightforward recipe. It takes a few ingredients and a few steps. That being said, I do have a couple of tips to help you along.

    • Fully soften your butter to ensure the easiest incorporation of the other ingredients into it.
    • When pulling the lobster tail out and over the shell, use a gently tugging motion. If it doesn't move easily, wiggle it a bit from side to side. NEVER try to power it out.
    • Use lighter wood flavors for smoking the tails. Heavy woods like oak or hickory will overpower the mild flavor of the lobster.
    close up image of three smoked lobster topped with butter and parsley served with hot butter in a white bowl and lemon slices. Placed on a large banana leaf.
A fork dipping lobster tail meat into the hot butter can be seen in the background.

    More Shellfish Recipes

    Do you like shellfish? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

    • Cajun Shrimp Pasta
    • Shrimp Lo Mein
    • Seafood Pot Pie

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about smoked lobster tails? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about smoking lobster tails.

    What kind of wood should I use when smoking lobster tails?

    Use apple wood or a similar fruitwood. It will accent the flavor rather than overpower it.

    How long is smoked lobster good?

    You can store it in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to twelve months.

    How do I freeze cooked lobster?

    Let the lobster chill completely, then wrap it tightly in a double layer of cling wrap. Transfer the wrapped tails to an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. If you have a vacuum sealer, that's even better.

    How do I defrost frozen lobster?

    Leave it in the refrigerator overnight.

    How do I reheat lobster tails?

    Wrap the tails in foil and cook them for five to ten minutes in a 350-degree oven.

    Smoked Lobster Tails

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Smoked Lobster Tails

    These smoked lobster tails are easy to make and so smoky good. Smoking lobster tails imparts a tremendous flavor like you've never tasted.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 174 kcal

    Equipment

    • smoker
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • large bowl
    • Sharp knife
    • cutting board
    • mixing bowl
    • Rubber spatula
    • small bowl
    • basting brush
    • rimmed baking sheet
    • Tongs

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 medium lobster tails
    • 4 tablespoons salted butter
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
    • ⅓ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 lemon juiced
    • 1 banana leaf or tinfoil
    • parsley as garnish
    • 1 lemon sliced
    • 1 shallot sliced

    Instructions
     

    • Get out and measure your ingredients.
      Overhead photo of all the ingredients.
    • Preheat the smoker to 350 degrees.
    • Soak banana leaves in hot water to soften and make pliable.
    • Slice shallots.
      Shallots sliced onto a wooden cutting board.
    • Slice lemon.
      Lemon sliced on a wooden cutting board.
    • Combine softened butter, crushed garlic, sea salt, smoked paprika, and lemon juice in a small mixing bowl. Use a spatula to meld thoroughly.
      Softened butter, crushed garlic, sea salt, smoked paprika, and lemon juice added to a small mixing bowl.
    • Cut a slit down the center of the lobster tail and gently tug to pull the meat out and over the shell. If you're nervous check out our how to cut lobster tail post for more information.
      Prepared lobster tails placed onto a pan.
    • Brush lobster meat with butter in a thick layer.
      Butter covered lobster tail placed on a piece of banana leaf.
    • Sprinkle on some shallots.
      Sliced shallots placed atop the butter.
    • Top with slices of lemons.
      A slice of lemon placed onto the shallots.
    • Wrap in banana leaves.
      Lobster tail wrapped with the banana leaf.
    • Place on baking sheet to bring to smoker.
      Lobster tails wrapped in banana leaves placed onto a baking sheet.
    • Place Lobster directly on grill grates.
      Lobster tails wrapped in banana leaves placed into a smoker.
    • Smoke for 25 minutes. Check to be sure the lobster is cooked- the meat should be white and internal temp 140 degrees.
      Lobster tails wrapped in banana leaves cooking inside a smoker.
    • Remove lobster tails from smoker.
      Cooked lobster tails wrapped in banana leaves removed from the smoker and placed onto a baking sheet to cool.
    • Remove banana leaves or foil.
      Lobster tails removed from the banana leaves and placed onto a baking sheet.
    • Serve immediately.
      Three lobster tails served onto a banana leaf with melted butter, lemon and herbs.
    • With hot butter or hot garlic butter and lemon wedges.
      Three lobster tails served onto a banana leaf with melted butter, lemon and herbs.
    • Enjoy!
      Closeup photo of a lobster tail in a white plate.
    • Every bite!
      Closeup photo of a forkful of lobster tail.

    Notes

    • Fully soften your butter to ensure the easiest incorporation of the other ingredients into it.
    • When pulling the lobster tail out and over the shell, use a gently tugging motion. If it doesn't move easily, wiggle it a bit from side to side. NEVER try to power it out.
    • Use lighter wood flavors for smoking the tails. Heavy woods like oak or hickory will overpower the mild flavor of the lobster.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 174kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 12gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 942mgPotassium: 241mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 447IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Smoked Lobster Tails
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Welcome!

    Ken and Karin

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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