Grilled Lobster Tail with Basil Mayo Recipe

This Grilled Lobster Tails with Basil Mayo recipe transforms premium lobster into a restaurant-quality barbecue meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare at home. Featured on Maddie and Kiki’s BBQ Barn Season 2, succulent lobster tails are grilled until perfectly tender before being served with a silky homemade basil mayonnaise infused with fresh basil, lemon, garlic, and fragrant basil oil. The result is a light yet indulgent seafood dish that’s perfect for summer entertaining, holiday celebrations, date nights, or any special occasion.

The Inspiration

Lobster has long been considered one of the world’s most celebrated seafood delicacies. From the rocky coastlines of Atlantic Canada to coastal regions around the globe, lobster is prized for its naturally sweet meat and luxurious texture. While lobster is often steamed or boiled with drawn butter, grilling introduces another layer of flavor by lightly caramelizing the meat and adding delicate smoky notes that simply can’t be achieved indoors.

Maddie and Kiki’s BBQ Barn Season 2 embraces the philosophy that almost anything can be elevated on the barbecue, including premium seafood. Rather than masking the lobster with heavy sauces or excessive seasoning, this recipe focuses on enhancing its natural sweetness through careful grilling and a fresh homemade basil mayonnaise.

Whether served for a backyard dinner party, anniversary meal, holiday celebration, or summer seafood feast, these grilled lobster tails showcase how outdoor cooking can produce elegant results worthy of any special occasion.

Ingredients

6 raw lobster tails (6-8oz each / in shell), fresh or frozen
1 ½ cups (packed tight) fresh basil leaves stripped from their stock
1 cup canola oil
1 cup mayonnaise
Juice and zest of one lemon
2 garlic cloves
Salt and ground black pepper
2 limes, cut into wedges

Method

Pat he lobster tails dry.
Using kitchen shears, cut through the hard shell down from the open end of the tail to the thin end.
Do not cut through the flesh or the thin bottom shell.
Spread the shell open from the cut side and pull the meat out so it is exposed over the shell.
Preheat the grill to 375F or medium heat.
Place basil leaves in a bowl and pour boiling water over them.
Let that sit for approximately 30 seconds or until leaves turn brighter green.
Drain and refresh under cold running water, drain again and squeeze dry with paper towel.
Place blanched basil in a food processor and add canola oil and process to a puree.
Line sieve with cheese cloth and set it over a deep bowl.
Pour basil oil into the cheesecloth and leave it undisturbed for 1 hour, or until all the oil has filtered through into the bowl.
Reserve the pulp left behind in the cheese cloth and reserve the basil oil separately.
Combine mayonnaise with a splash of basil oil in the bowl of a blender.
Add basil pulp, lemon juice and zest, garlic cloves, salt, and ground black pepper.
Blend until smooth and uniform. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Brush the lobster flesh with basil oil and season with salt and pepper.
Place the lobster tails flesh side up on the grill on the grill and cook for approximately 8 minutes or until the meat is opaque.
Flip and give the flesh some color on the grill for 1-2 minutes.
Serve grilled lobster tails with Basil Mayo and lime wedges.

Serving Suggestions

These Grilled Lobster Tails with Basil Mayo are an elegant centerpiece for summer barbecues, anniversary dinners, holiday celebrations, and upscale outdoor entertaining. Pair them with grilled asparagus, roasted baby potatoes, garlic butter corn on the cob, grilled broccolini, or a fresh Green Bean Salad for a balanced seafood feast.

For an elevated dining experience, serve the lobster alongside warm crusty bread to soak up the flavorful basil mayo, or offer a light citrus salad dressed with olive oil and herbs. Chilled sparkling water with fresh lemon, crisp white wine, or a refreshing citrus spritzer pairs beautifully with the sweet lobster meat and herbaceous sauce.

When hosting guests, arrange the grilled lobster tails on a large serving platter garnished with fresh basil leaves, grilled lemon halves, and lime wedges. The vibrant green basil mayo can be served in a separate bowl for dipping or elegantly spooned over the lobster just before serving.

Final Thoughts

This Grilled Lobster Tails with Basil Mayo recipe is a celebration of premium seafood, fresh herbs, and simple grilling techniques that let exceptional ingredients shine. The sweet, tender lobster develops delicate smoky notes on the barbecue while the homemade basil mayonnaise adds vibrant freshness, citrus brightness, and creamy richness to every bite.

Find more recipes from Maddie & Kiki’s BBQ Barn here!