This Classic Lobster Roll recipe is a creamy and refreshing recipe, which is made with cooked lobster meat and mayonnaise. It’s the ultimate summer lunch, ready in about 20 minutes.
Classic Lobster Roll Recipe Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds cooked, shelled lobster meat, chopped into ½-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon finely chopped fresh chives (optional)
- ½ teaspoon finely chopped fresh tarragon or chervil (optional)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (or to taste)
- Coarse or sea salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 8 top-split hot-dog buns
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
How To Make Classic Lobster Rolls
- Make the lobster salad: In a medium bowl, gently stir together the chopped lobster meat and the mayonnaise. Fold in the fresh chives and tarragon (if using), and the lemon juice. Season to your taste with salt and pepper.
- Chill the salad: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate the lobster salad while you prepare the rolls, or for up to 2 hours.
- Toast the buns: Heat a large heavy skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly brush the outside flat sides of the buns with the melted butter. Place the buns in the hot skillet and cook, turning once, until both sides are golden brown and toasted, about 1 1/2 minutes per side.
- Assemble and serve: Open the warm, toasted buns and fill each one with about 1/2 cup of the chilled lobster salad. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- What’s the best bread for lobster rolls? Classic New England-style lobster rolls are always served on top-split (or “New England style”) hot dog buns. Their flat sides are perfect for buttering and grilling to a golden brown. A soft brioche roll is a popular and delicious alternative.
- How do you get the most tender lobster? The secret to perfect lobster is to not overcook it. If you are cooking it yourself, steam or boil it just until it’s opaque and firm. For the salad, use large, chunky pieces rather than shredding it to maintain a wonderful, meaty texture.
- Can I make the lobster salad ahead of time? Yes. The recipe suggests you can make the lobster salad up to 2 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. This actually helps the flavors to meld together. Just be sure to toast the buns and assemble the rolls right before serving.
- What’s the difference between a Maine and a Connecticut lobster roll? This recipe is for a classic Maine-style lobster roll, which is served cold with a mayonnaise-based dressing. A Connecticut-style lobster roll is served warm, with the lobster meat tossed simply in melted butter.
What To Serve With Lobster Rolls
A lobster roll is a classic summer sandwich that pairs perfectly with simple, salty sides. Serve it with:
- Kettle-cooked potato chips (the most classic pairing!)
- Creamy coleslaw
- Crispy French fries
- A crisp dill pickle spear on the side
How To Store Lobster Rolls
- Best Eaten Fresh: Lobster rolls are at their absolute best when the chilled, creamy lobster salad is served in a warm, buttery, toasted bun. Assembled sandwiches will become soggy and should be eaten immediately.
- Refrigerate: You can store leftover lobster salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Classic Lobster Roll Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 roll
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Sodium: 850mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, you can use cooked, frozen lobster meat. For the best results, thaw it completely in the refrigerator overnight. Before making the salad, pat the lobster meat very dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which can make the salad watery.
For a light and refreshing salad like this, fresh herbs are always the best choice. Fresh chives and tarragon will provide a much brighter, more vibrant flavor than their dried counterparts.
This usually happens if the bun isn’t toasted or if the sandwich is assembled too far in advance. Buttering and grilling the bun creates a slight barrier that helps prevent the creamy salad from making the bread soggy. Always assemble right before you plan to eat.
Try More Recipes:
- Pressed Picnic Sandwich Recipe
- Classic Chicken Salad Recipe
- Martha Stewart’s Favorite Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe
Classic Lobster Roll Recipe
Description
A classic New England-style lobster roll featuring sweet, chilled lobster meat tossed in a creamy mayonnaise dressing and served in a buttery, toasted bun.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, gently stir together the chopped lobster, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and optional fresh herbs.
- Season the lobster salad with salt and pepper to taste. For best results, cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Brush the flat outside surfaces of the buns with melted butter.
- Toast the buns in the hot skillet for about 1.5 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Fill the warm, toasted buns with the chilled lobster salad and serve immediately.
Notes
- The most important tip for a great lobster roll is not to overdo the mayonnaise; you want the sweet, delicate flavor of the lobster to be the star.
- Using classic top-split hot dog buns is essential for getting those perfectly flat, buttery, grilled sides.
- For the best flavor, make the lobster salad and let it chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
- Do not assemble the rolls until you are ready to serve them, as this will prevent the perfectly toasted buns from becoming soggy.