Lobster Roll (Connecticut Style)

This recipe for Lobster Roll is mayonnaise-free and features warm, buttery chunks of lobster on a lightly toasted split-top bun. Serve with a side of potato chips for the ultimate seaside-inspired lunch.

What is lobster?

Lobsters are dark-colored crustaceans with a body, tail, and 5 pairs of legs, some of which have claws.

When cooked, lobsters turn bright red.

Lobsters are typically steamed, boiled or fried and used in various dishes such as lobster poutine, lobster bisque or Cantonese-style lobster noodles.

What does lobster taste like?

Similar to other seafood such as crab, lobster has a firm, meaty texture with a sweet flavor.

What are lobster rolls?

Lobster rolls are a classic dish primarily served in northeastern United States (New England) and Canada (Nova Scotia) and contain cooked lobster meat piled high on grilled or toasted hot dog buns or brioche buns.

The warm lobster meat is typically dressed with butter, lemon juice, salt and pepper, or mayonnaise and can also contain chopped celery.

What's the difference between New England style and Connecticut-style lobster rolls?

New England style (or Maine-style) lobster rolls contain lobster with mayonnaise as its base served on split-top hot dog buns, also known as New England-style hot dog buns.

Connecticut-style lobster rolls are where the lobster is soaked in melted butter and served warm on split-top hot dog buns.

When served cold, Connecticut-style lobster rolls are known as "lobster salad rolls."

Why you'll love this recipe

This lobster roll recipe is:

Mayo-free: if you're not a fan of mayonnaise, don't fret - this version doesn't contain any mayo.

Simple flavors: butter-soaked lobster on toasted bun is super simple, but absolutely delicious!

Minimal ingredients: using cooked lobster makes prep streamlined and easy.

Elevated: bring your regular lunch sandwich to the next level with this easy and delicious lobster roll.

Ingredients you'll need

• cooked lobster meat: cut into large chunks; you can use claws, knuckle and/or tail meat
• split-top hot dog buns: you can also use regular hoagie buns and split the top of the buns as an alternative
• butter: unsalted; if using salted butter, you can omit adding salt
• salt and black pepper: to your taste
• lemon juice: to add a little brightness to the lobster
• shredded lettuce: for a little freshness, to complement the lobster

How to make lobster roll

Prepare the lobster mixture:

In a small saucepan or skillet, heat up the unsalted butter, until melted.

Add in lemon juice and stir to combine.

Season with salt and ground black pepper (to your taste).

Add in the cooked lobster meat and lightly toss in the melted butter to coat and combine.

Toast the buns:

Heat up a frying pan over medium heat.

Add 1 tablespoon of butter and place the hot dog buns on its side, lightly toasting until golden in color.

Flip and toast the other side.

Remove buns from the pan.

Assemble:

If the hot dog bun is not already split, cut the topside of the bun with a sharp serrated knife -- take care not to cut entirely through the bun.

Tuck in a handful of shredded lettuce.

Pile on the warm, buttery lobster meat.

Squeeze a little extra lemon juice over the lobster and serve immediately, with a side of potato chips.

Other additions

You can add sliced or chopped avocado, or chopped chives or celery to the lobster roll sandwich.

How to store

Store the prepared lobster roll in the fridge until ready to serve.

What to serve lobster roll with

Try serving lobster roll with potato chips, salad, seaweed-sprinkled fries, tomato soup, potato salad, salmon chowder, or clam chowder.

You can also serve the roll with extra melted butter on the side.

Variations

For more flavor, try adding a little freshly chopped garlic to the melted butter.

A fun variation involves breading and deep-frying clams to produce a clam roll, in a similar way to making an oyster po'boy.

FAQs

Can I freeze the lobster roll?

I don't recommend freezing the assembled sandwich, as the texture will not be optimal, as compared to serving and enjoying it freshly made.

Can I use imitation crab meat?

If you're allergic to lobster, you can use imitation crab sticks instead.

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