This Classic Lobster Roll Recipes Takes You Straight to Maine (2024)

We wait a long time for summer here in New England, and, when it arrives, it is spectacular. Maybe it’s the longing for it that makes it so.

One thing is required when it comes to sunny summer days: The Lobster Roll.

Lobster Rolls Mean Summertime

New Englanders are an understated lot, and you’ll see that reflected in this classic summer feast. Just a few ingredients: large chunks of lobster, mayonnaise, and celery, stuffed into a grilled hot dog bun and eaten on a dock near water on a sparkling day! That’s the essence of summer here, with or without the dock. Proust can have his madeleines. I will take a lobster roll.

There is something so comforting about eating a lobster roll on a hot dog bun. It screams summer. It says, "Nothin’ fancy here, folks." If you want bells and whistles, then take your bacon and avocado and brioche lobster rolls to another table. Yes, New Englanders have attitude aplenty, too.

On Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and our two summer birthdays, our family abandons the burgers and hot dogs in favor of the long-yearned-for lobster roll. But it’s a cheater’s affair.

We rarely start with a live lobster. I mean, you could. You could also start a sandwich by baking bread from scratch. Don’t get me wrong, I might cook a lobster to eat it along with corn on the cob and a hot dog (another New England tradition), but the beauty of the lobster roll is its ease of preparation.

This Classic Lobster Roll Recipes Takes You Straight to Maine (1)

What’s the Best Lobster for Lobster Rolls?

If you are reading this from Minnesota, I apologize. Freshly cooked New England lobster meat purchased locally really is the best. Frozen or canned lobster meat just isn’t the same as freshly cooked lobster, but if that’s what you have access to, you can still make a tasty roll.

Here are three ways to get your lobster if you don't live in New England:

  • Live Lobster: Typically, if you’re going to cook a live lobster, you want to dip it in butter, not put it in a roll. But if that’s the only way for you to have fresh meat for your roll, and you have the time (and money), then go for it. Check out our post on How to Boil and Eat Lobster.
  • Frozen: You can purchase precooked frozen lobster meat or uncooked frozen lobster tail at fish markets. Either one will do the trick.
  • Mail Order Lobster: If you don’t live in New England and don’t have access to freshly cooked meat or live lobster, but you want to be as authentic as possible, several Maine lobster companies such as Maine Lobster Now can ship fresh, frozen, or even live lobsters to you overnight. It’s pricy, but fresh lobster meat really is the best. I have plenty of local options, so I can’t vouch personally for the shipping companies, but I have faith in Mainers that they will treat you well.

When looking for lobster meat for a lobster roll you want a combination mostly lobster tails and claws. If you only have tail meat that’s okay, too.

For cooked frozen meat, just thaw in the refrigerator before using. For the uncooked frozen tail, the best way to prepare it is to thaw for 24 hours ahead of time and then steam it in salted water. The time will depend on how large the tail. A 3- to 6-ounce tail will take about 4 to 6 minutes.

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How To Prep the Lobster for Rolls

A prized lobster roll has large, bite-size chunks of lobster; so don’t chop it too small. Some lobster rolls are made with just lobster, a little lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Now that’s true understatement.

What Is a New England Style Hot Dog Bun?

The New England style hot dog bun, also called a split-top or top-loading bun, was developed by Howard Johnson’s, a restaurant chain famous for its clam strip rolls. Clam strips, made from flattened large surf clams, were the standard for Howard Johnson’s clam rolls in New England. The best clam rolls, made from deep-fried whole belly clams like Ipswich clams, are also served in New England style buns, and lobster rolls followed suit.

Split-top buns are the best for lobster rolls because not only do they stand upright, but because they are baked in a special pan, they have “whitewall” rather than browned sides. Those sides can be buttered and grilled in a pan.

How To Turn a Regular Hot Dog Bun into a New England Style Bun

You can fashion a New England style bun from a regular hot dog bun by cutting a sliver of crust off each side of the bun to square it off, ready for buttering and pan-grilling.

More Summer Seafood Recipes

  • Seafood Paella
  • Easy Grilled Salmon
  • Grilled Shrimp with Lemon Pepper Couscous
  • Crab Cakes
  • Grilled Fish Tacos with Strawberry Pineapple Salsa

This Classic Lobster Roll Recipes Takes You Straight to Maine (4)

Classic New England Lobster Rolls

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time15 mins

Servings4to 6 servings

Ingredients

For the filling:

For the buns:

  • 4 to 6 New England style split-top hot dog buns

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons soft butter

For serving:

  • Lemon wedges

  • Potato chips

Method

  1. Make the lobster salad:

    In a bowl, stir the lobster meat, lemon juice, salt, pepper, celery, and mayonnaise together. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice, if you like.

    This Classic Lobster Roll Recipes Takes You Straight to Maine (5)

    This Classic Lobster Roll Recipes Takes You Straight to Maine (6)

  2. Toast the buns:

    Spread the outsides of the buns with softened butter. Set a skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Toast the buns for about 30 seconds on each side, or until golden brown.

    This Classic Lobster Roll Recipes Takes You Straight to Maine (7)

    This Classic Lobster Roll Recipes Takes You Straight to Maine (8)

  3. Assemble the lobster rolls and serve:

    Fill each bun with lobster salad. Serve with potato chips and a wedge of lemon.

    Did you love the recipe? How do you like to serve your lobster rolls? Tell us all about it in the comments!

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  • Quick Dinners
  • 4th of July
  • Lobster
  • New England
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
446Calories
19g Fat
44g Carbs
28g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories446
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g24%
Saturated Fat 6g29%
Cholesterol 88mg29%
Sodium 701mg30%
Total Carbohydrate 44g16%
Dietary Fiber 5g17%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 28g
Vitamin C 64mg318%
Calcium 191mg15%
Iron 4mg22%
Potassium 437mg9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

This Classic Lobster Roll Recipes Takes You Straight to Maine (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between a Connecticut lobster roll and a Maine lobster roll? ›

Connecticut lobster rolls are made with cooked lobster that is served warm and drenched in drawn butter. Seasoning: Maine lobster rolls use lobster meat that is mixed with mayonnaise and, oftentimes, lemon juice. They are sometimes seasoned with Old Bay seasoning, salt and pepper, and/or celery.

What is a traditional lobster roll? ›

A lobster roll is a dish native to New England and Atlantic Canada. It is made of lobster meat served on a grilled hot dog–style bun. The filling may also contain butter, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, with variants made in some parts of New England replacing the butter with mayonnaise.

What state makes the best lobster roll? ›

If you ask us, the perfect lobster roll is probably a classic Maine lobster roll, served chilled with a creamy layer of mayo and a perfect smattering of lemon butter served on a toasted split-top bun. But that doesn't mean you can't change it up now and then.

How much is the giant lobster roll at the taste of maine restaurant? ›

Well, according the Taste of Maine, $189.99. Sure, that sounds expensive, but think about what you're getting for the price.

Does Maine lobster roll have mayo? ›

A Maine lobster roll is served with the lobster meat chilled and dressed in mayo with some crunchy greens like chives, celery, and/or scallions. A Connecticut lobster roll is served warm, dunked in butter, on a toasted bun.

What part of lobster is best for lobster roll? ›

Opting for chopped tail meat will also work, but we'd recommend saving the tails for a more authentic experience. It's almost as if lobster knuckle and claw meat were made to be used in lobster rolls and the soft, succulent consistency makes 'em the best choice around.

What are the two kinds of lobster rolls? ›

A New Englander will also tell you there are two main variations on the theme, Maine style and Connecticut style, and natives of both states are known to fiercely defend their regional recipe as the gold standard of lobster rolls.

How many lobster rolls will one lobster make? ›

With a yield of around 30 to 40%, you should plan on about one and a half pounds of shell-on lobster per person, which will give you two 4- to 5-ounce lobster rolls.

What is the best bun for lobster roll? ›

Try a brioche bun or a nice buttery croissant. Also be sure to visit your local bakery for fresh bread. Optional: Add fresh chives and lemon zest to your mayo, or fresh chopped celery for a little crunch.

Why do lobster rolls cost so much? ›

Morander pointed to many reasons for the price hikes (the current cost of a Lobster Landing roll is $26.50), but emphasized three: the quality of the meat, sourcing challenges, and the labor-intensive nature or roll-making.

Is warm or cold lobster roll better? ›

Whether you choose to serve lobster rolls hot or cold depends on whether you prefer butter or mayo. A traditional Maine-style lobster roll is mayonnaise-dressed and served cold. As New Englanders know, a cold, creamy lobster roll can hit the spot on a summer day.

Which country invented the lobster roll? ›

Who Invented the Lobster Roll? Lobster rolls have been enjoyed across New England for years. While some historians believe there is no one to be accredited with “inventing” the roll, most people believe that it originated at Perry's a restaurant in Mildford, Connecticut.

Does McDonald's sell lobster rolls in Maine? ›

Yes, it's true. In Maine you can order a fresh Lobster Roll. - Picture of McDonald's, Kittery - Tripadvisor.

Does Maine have good lobster rolls? ›

There are an estimated three million lobster traps along Maine's coast at any given time, so it's no surprise that the state produces some of the best lobsters in the country. And while there might be some debate on the best way to enjoy Maine's favorite crustacean, the lobster roll is a top contender.

Why is lobster roll so good? ›

Because lobster has such a sweet, delicate flavor, strong seasoning or sauces easily overpower it. Discerning chefs know that only a little flavor enhancement–a dash of lemon or a touch of mayonnaise–is all that's needed for a delicious lobster roll.

Are Maine lobster rolls served hot or cold? ›

A traditional Maine-style lobster roll is mayonnaise-dressed and served cold. As New Englanders know, a cold, creamy lobster roll can hit the spot on a summer day. Another popular way to serve a New England style lobster roll is hot with melted butter.

Which lobster tail is best? ›

Cold water lobster is prized above all other species for its sweet, briny richness. Maine and Canada are the most well-known for this cold-water delicacy and for a good reason. The icy waters of the northern Atlantic allow lobsters to grow more slowly which in turn makes the meat more tender.

How many lobsters are in a lobster roll? ›

And if you want an overflowing lobster roll you can eat with a fork, plan on one 1¼ pound lobster per roll. And if at all possible, make sure you use New England style split-top hot dog buns (with the cut sides) as the roll's flavor explodes when toasted on a grill or skillet.

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