How to Grill Traeger Lobster Tail: A Detailed Guide

Summary:

Grilling lobster on a pellet grill adds a unique wood smoke flavor to this decadent dish, making it perfect for special occasions. The process involves selecting live lobsters of at least 1½ pounds, preparing them humanely by boiling and ice-bathing, then butterflying and seasoning with compound butter before grilling. For those who prefer not to handle live lobsters, frozen lobster tails are a good alternative. The key steps are seasoning with a butter mixture and grilling at specific temperatures to ensure the meat is firm, opaque, and flavorful.

Detailed Steps:

1. Choosing and Preparing Lobster:

   • Live Lobster: Purchase lobsters alive and keep them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. To prepare, humanely kill them by driving a sharp knife through the head and back. Boil for two minutes and place in an ice bath.
   • Frozen Lobster Tails: Defrost completely before preparation. Butterfly the tails by cutting down the middle of the shell and pulling the meat out.

2. Seasoning:

   • Compound Butter: Mix softened butter with ingredients such as flat-leaf parsley, shallot, garlic, lemon zest, and juice, salt, and pepper. Spread this mixture over the lobster meat before grilling.

3. Grilling:

   • Whole Lobster: Grill at 425°F for about eight minutes (four minutes per side). Ensure the meat is firm, white, and easily separable.
   • Lobster Tails: Preheat the grill to 500°F and cook for 25-30 minutes, checking the meat to avoid overcooking.

4. Finishing Touches:

   • Add a squeeze of fresh lemon and a dash of sea salt before serving. Serve with melted butter and warm bread, with side dishes like coleslaw or 3-bean salad to contrast the richness of the lobster.

Grilled Lobster: A Culinary Delight

Grilled lobster, with its rich and succulent flavor, is a dish that elevates any dining experience. By adding a touch of wood smoke, you can transform this seafood classic into a gourmet delight. Here’s how you can master the art of grilling lobster, ensuring it’s both delicious and impressive.

Selecting the Perfect Lobster

The journey to a perfect grilled lobster starts with selecting the right lobster. Always opt for live lobsters that weigh at least 1½ pounds. Smaller lobsters tend to cook too quickly on the grill, risking overcooking and loss of texture. Keep your live lobsters in a cool, damp environment, preferably in the fridge, and use them within 24 hours to ensure optimal freshness.

Preparing Your Lobster

Preparation is key to achieving the perfect grilled lobster. Begin by humanely killing the lobster – the most efficient method is by swiftly inserting a sharp knife through the head. Boil the lobster for two minutes in a pot of salted water, then immediately transfer it to an ice bath. This process not only makes the lobster easier to handle but also sets the meat, preventing it from sticking to the shell during grilling.

Butterflying and Seasoning

Once cooled, place the lobster on a cutting board and butterfly it by splitting it lengthwise with a sharp knife. Remove the tomalley and any other unwanted parts. For a burst of flavor, spread a compound butter mixture on the lobster. This can be a blend of butter, flat-leaf parsley, shallot, garlic, lemon zest, and juice, salt, and pepper. The butter not only adds richness but also helps keep the meat moist during grilling.

The Grilling Process

Preheat your pellet grill to 425°F. Place the butterflied lobsters flesh side down first to allow the smoke to penetrate the meat, then flip them after four minutes. Grill for another four minutes on the shell side. The lobster meat should be white and firm to the touch. Avoid overcooking by checking the texture frequently – perfectly cooked lobster should be easily separable with a fork.

Serving Your Grilled Lobster

Presentation and finishing touches can make a significant difference. Once off the grill, give your lobster a final squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of sea salt. Serve it with a side of melted butter for dipping and perhaps a warm bread roll. Accompany your lobster with a bright and acidic side dish like coleslaw or a 3-bean salad to balance the richness of the meat.

Grilling lobster may seem daunting at first, but with these steps, you can achieve restaurant-quality results in your backyard. Whether you're impressing guests or treating yourself, grilled lobster is a culinary triumph worth mastering.