Step 1

If you’re using live lobsters, kill them first, as shown in the How to Kill a Lobster video.

Step 2

Prepare a medium-high gas or charcoal grill fire. Brush olive oil on both sides of the lobsters and set them bottom side down on the cooking grates. Grill until the shells are bright red and the protein in the juices that seep from the shells turns white and coagulates, 8 to 10 minutes for a 1-1/2-lb. lobster and 12 to 14 minutes for a 2-lb. lobster. (There’s no need to turn the lobster over.) A thawed lobster tail will take about 8 minutes to grill.

Step 3

Remove the lobsters from the grill and let cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with the dipping sauce of your choice