Best Maine Lobster Roll Recipe (Authentic)

Best Maine Lobster Roll Recipe – There’s nothing quite like a buttery toasted Lobster Roll Recipe with plump juicy lobster salad piled high. Learn how to make them at home just like in Maine!

Why We Love This Lobster Roll Recipe

One of our favorite family vacations was a road trip we took up the coast of Maine several years ago. We loved the food. My two personal favorites were the lemon blueberry whoopie pies, and the lobster rolls. So we spent two weeks taste-testing lobster rolls in every little harbor town we could find, trying to pinpoint the Best Lobster Rolls in Maine.

All our favorite lobster rolls had the same two iconic elements:

• Plump tender claw and knuckle meat dressed very lightly so the Maine lobster meat can shine.
• Soft New-England style rolls with a split-top, heavily buttered and toasted on both sides.

Mainers know good lobster rolls should be all about the lobster and butter… All other ingredients are possible distractions.

Therefore, the lobster should only be kissed with seasoning, not drenched in it.

The Secret for The Best Lobster Rolls

Most Maine lobster roll shacks use claw, arm, and knuckle meat, because it’s bright red, already portioned into big chunks, and softer than tail meat.

Lobster tails are usually reserved for seafood platters and are grilled, broiled, or stuffed and baked.

Depending on where you live, you might not be able to purchase cooked lobster claw meat. (It usually comes frozen here in the Blue Ridge.) Yet you can buy cooked Maine lobster claw meat online!

You can certainly steam whole fresh Maine lobsters. Then serve the tails one night and save the claw meat for lobster rolls later in the week.

Or you can steam fresh Maine lobsters, then chop the tail meat for the lobster rolls as well… It’s just not the traditional method.

What Kind Of Bread Do You Use For Lobster Rolls?

After the lobster meat, the second important element in a Maine Lobster Roll is the buttery toasted New-England style bread rolls. These are basically hotdog buns, with exposed (cut) sides, so they are perfect for buttering and toasting on the griddle.

If you cannot find these rolls, you can buy regular hot dog buns and trim the sides with a serrated knife, so they have a flat surface for buttering. Or you can serve your lobster rolls on buttery griddled Texas toast.

Basically, you just need soft thick white bread with flat sides, and lots of butter for flavor and crunch.

Ingredients You Need

To make lobster rolls just like they do in Maine, you will need…

For the Lobster Salad

• Cooked Maine Lobster Claw Meat – This is usually sold in packs of claw, arm, knuckle meat.
• Mayonnaise – Just a little bit of mayo goes a long way!
• Fresh Herbs – Dill and Parsley.
• Garlic Powder – Again, just a little.
• Salt and Pepper – Always

For the Toasted Rolls

• New England Style Frankfurter Buns
• Butter

How To Make Lobster Rolls

Making lobster rolls is so easy… Especially if you start with cooked claw meat that has already been removed from the shells.

Place the cooked lobster meat in a colander for 5 minutes. Set out a large mixing bowl. Then chop the fresh herbs.

Move the lobster meat to the mixing bowl and add the mayonnaise, dill, parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Keep the lobster salad cool while toasting the buns.

Spread both flat sides of the New England rolls with a generous amount of butter. Toast for 1-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.

Fill the toasted rolls with lots of lobster salad.

This lobster roll recipe makes about 10 rolls, piled high with meat, or 12 with less filling. The rolls are smaller so most people can eat two rolls each.

Get the Full (Printable) Best Maine Lobster Roll Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Can’t Find Cooked Lobster Claw Meat Near You?

Don’t worry, you’ve got options…

1. You can order lobster meat from one of many Maine Lobster Delivery services.
2. You can use cooked lobster tail meat, from your local grocery store, and chop it.
3. Or you can steam fresh lobsters and use the claw and tail meat in your lobster rolls.

How To Steam Lobsters

• Choose a pot large enough to hold all the lobsters.
• Put 2 inches of salted water in the bottom of a large kettle. Then place a steaming basket inside the pot.
• Bring the water to a boil. Add the live lobsters one at a time. Cover the pot, and start timing. Steam for 10 minutes per pound.
• Halfway through steaming, lift the lid and move the lobsters around so they cook evenly.
• Once cooked, remove and cool before removing the meat from the shells.

Tips & Tricks

• Maine-style lobster rolls can be made with additional ingredients, but use light ingredients so you don’t overpower the lobster! For a bit of tang, add a squeeze of lemon juice. For more herby goodness, top it off with some chopped chives!
• If you can’t find New England style split-top buns, opt for brioche buns shaped for hot dogs. They are rich and flavorful and will taste amazing once they are toasted up!
• For ease, use already cooked lobster meat. If you need to steam the lobsters, just make sure you don’t overcook them for super tender meat!

Serving Suggestions

Maine lobster rolls are delicious on their own, with simple sides if you desire!

Potato chips and pickles are traditional to serve with these easy homemade lobster rolls. Although, you can find some restaurants that serve lobster rolls with fries and chowder.

Just about any form of crispy potato would be good here, like crispy roasted potato ribbons or potato wedges!

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can These Rolls Last In The Fridge?

The fully cooked lobster salad can last in the fridge for 2 to 3 days in a shallow airtight container.

How Much Lobster Is On A Lobster Roll?

Usually, most lobster rolls hold 3-3.5 ounces of lobster meat, using the standard New England bun. However, you can pile the buns as high as you like.

Can I Change Up The Flavors?

Yes you can! You can add hot sauce or sriracha for a spicier lobster roll, or serve them Connecticut style, which is warm lobster meat cooked in melted butter, parsley, salt, and pepper.

Also try this as a lobster BLT sandwich by adding bacon, lettuce, and tomato to the roll. If you are not a fan of lobster or have a hard time finding it, try using cooked shrimp instead. 

Looking for More Seafood Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:

• Spicy Mustard Seafood Sauce Recipe
• San Francisco Cioppino Recipe
• Lobster Fra Diavolo Recipe
• Seared Scallops with Wilted Greens Recipe
• Sheet Pan Low Country Broil Recipe
• Lobster Tostadas Recipe
• Baja Fish Tacos Recipe
• Pappardelle Pasta with Seafood Sauce Recipe
• Authentic New Orleans Seafood Gumbo Recipe

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