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Grilled Lobsters with Southeast Asian Dipping Sauce

This elegant grilled lobster dish brings a vibrant, Southeast Asian twist to a classic seafood favourite. By lightly parboiling the lobsters before finishing them over hot coals, you ensure the meat remains succulent and tender while absorbing a delicate smoky flavour. The accompanying dipping sauce, balanced with salty fish sauce, zesty lime, and a hint of chilli heat, provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, sweet lobster meat.

A sophisticated choice for a dairy-free main course, this recipe is ideal for alfresco entertaining or a special weekend treat. Much of the preparation can be done in advance, leaving you free to enjoy the fragrant aromas of fresh coriander and mint as you baste the shells on the grill. Serve on a large platter with plenty of lime halves for a truly impressive summer feast.

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Ingredients for Grilled Lobsters with Southeast Asian Dipping Sauce

  • six 575g live lobsters

  • 3 garlic cloves

  • 80ml Asian fish sauce

  • 80ml fresh lime juice

  • 80ml packed brown sugar

  • 3 tablespoons water

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Asian chilli paste

  • 1/4 cup packed fresh coriander leaves

  • 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves

  • Garnish: lime halves

How to make Grilled Lobsters with Southeast Asian Dipping Sauce

Bring an 8-quart kettle three fourths full with water to a boil for lobsters.

Mince garlic and in a bowl stir together with fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, water, and chilli paste. Dipping sauce may be made up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

Plunge 2 lobsters headfirst into boiling water and cook 3 minutes (lobsters will be only partially cooked). Transfer lobsters with tongs to a colander to drain and cool. Return water to a boil and cook remaining 4 lobsters in same manner.

When lobsters are cool enough to handle, twist off tails and break off claws at body of each lobster, discarding bodies. With kitchen shears halve tails (including shells) lengthwise. (Do not remove tail or claw meat from shells.) Lobsters may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. (If making ahead, chill lobster immediately and keep chilled until ready to grill.)

Prepare grill.

Chop coriander and mint and stir into dipping sauce. Measure out 60ml dipping sauce to use for basting lobster tails. Grill claws on a rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals, covered, turning them occasionally, until liquid bubbles at open ends, about 5 minutes, and transfer to a serving platter.

Arrange tails on grill, cut sides up, and brush with basting sauce. Grill tails, covered, basting occasionally, 6 minutes, or until meat is opaque.Serve lobster with dipping sauce and lime halves.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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