How to Cook Lobster Tail

Perfect for a romantic dinner or as a treat for a special occasion, once you know how to cook lobster tail you can make a great dinner anytime you like.

A Tail of Two Lobsters

When shopping for lobsters, you will find that two are most readily available: the northern lobster and the rock lobster. Generally speaking, the northern lobster is the one most often sold whole. The northern lobster is the one that most people think of when they think of lobster. It is distinctive with two large claws and is most often sold, cooked, and served whole or if served cut in half it is served with one claw.

The rock lobster, also known as spiny lobsters or langoustes, do not have claws. When you are buying lobster tails, it is the tail of this lobster that you are probably buying. The difference between the two, other than the claws, is that the meat of the rock lobster is drier, coarser, and has less flavor but this does not mean that it is not enjoyable.

The options of how to cook lobster tail are steaming, simmering, grilling, and broiling. Lobster meat becomes tough if cooked for too long or at too high a temperature.

How to Cook Lobster Tail

I have always found gas grills to be easier to deal with simply because the heat is more controllable. I like this recipe for grilled lobster tails because it is both simple and can be varied easily. Most people who like lobster tail prefer it cooked as simply as possible so that the delicate flavor of the lobster can shine through. I like to finish this recipe with a sprinkle of chipotle herb mix, but it stands well on it own.

Ingredients

• 4 lobster tails
• Juice of one lemon
• 1 cup olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons paprika (smoked paprika is best for this recipe)
• Pinch of freshly ground pepper
• 3 garlic cloves minced

Instructions

1. Mix the garlic, pepper, paprika, salt, olive oil and lemon juice together in a bowl and let rest for one hour in your refrigerator.
2. Preheat your grill to a high heat.
3. Split the lobster tails down the back using a large sharp knife.
4. Brush the meat of the lobster with the mixture and let rest for ten minutes refrigerated.
5. Oil the grill with olive oil.
6. Place the tails meat side down on the grill.
7. Baste about once a minute with the olive oil mixture.
8. The tails should be done in ten minutes.