Authentic New England Lobster Rolls
Authentic New England style lobster rolls are remarkably easy to make at home! All you need are freshly steamed lobsters, toasted New England hot dog rolls, seasonings, and a little mayo.
An authentic New England lobster roll is packed with sweet cooked lobster meat, a bit of mayo, and sometimes, finely chopped celery or fresh herbs. Soft, freshly buttered and toasted New England-style buns are essential for the real thing, but if all you can find are the split top brioche or regular side-split rolls, toast the inside, not the outside.
Minimal mayonnaise and seasoning are critical here because you want the lobster to be the star. If you add too much mayo or herbs, you risk overwhelming the lobster’s unique, sweet flavor. A few tablespoons of mayo should be plenty for 1 pound of lobster meat—add a few drops of lemon juice if you like. If you crave a little texture, add some finely chopped celery. Celery can enhance the sandwich’s flavor without overpowering the lobster. Some salt and pepper, to taste, is all the seasoning you need. Add a garnish of chopped fresh dill or snipped chives for color. I like to line the buns with lettuce, but that’s optional as well.
This recipe makes 4 well-stuffed lobster rolls, but you can easily stretch the filling to make 6 to 8 perfectly delicious lobster rolls.
What are New England-Style Hot Dog Rolls?
New England-style hot dog rolls are split-top rolls with crusts on the top and bread sides. The sides of the rolls are usually buttered and toasted and filled with hot dogs, lobster, tuna salad, or another filling. They are unique to New England, but you might find them in other regions. You might also find New England-Style hot dog rolls online. When I lived in Mississippi, I had to have my mother send them—they are a must for a true Maine or New England-style lobster roll.
There are other “split-top” rolls, like split-top brioche rolls, but they can’t be toasted in the same way, which is a major. If you can’t find them, King Arthur makes a specialty pan that mimics the rounded top crust and white-bread sides.
The Connecticut Lobster Roll
A Connecticut lobster roll is made with warm lobster meat and melted butter instead of mayonnaise. So, if you aren’t a fan of mayonnaise, this version is for you! All you need is about 1 tablespoon of melted unsalted butter for each lobster roll, some salt and pepper for seasoning, and chopped chives for garnish. New England-style hot dog rolls with toasted white bread sides are also the preferred bread for a Connecticut lobster roll.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Authentic flavor. Simple ingredients highlight the lobster without overpowering it.
Quick to prepare. Once the lobster is cooked and shucked, the rolls come together in minutes.
Perfect texture. Warm buttered rolls paired with chilled lobster salad create the classic contrast.
Restaurant quality at home. Tastes just like a New England seafood shack version.
Ingredient Notes
- Lobster meat – Freshly steamed and chopped for the best flavor and texture.
- Mayonnaise – Use just enough to lightly bind without masking the lobster.
- Celery – Optional, but adds crunch and freshness.
- Sea salt and black pepper – Keep seasoning minimal so the lobster shines.
- New England–style hot dog rolls – Split on the top with flat, griddle-friendly sides.
- Butter – Softened and spread on the roll sides for toasting.
- Lettuce – Optional, but adds a crisp layer between bread and lobster.
- Fresh herbs – Chives, parsley, or dill for a simple garnish.
Steps to Make Authentic New England Lobster Rolls
- Combine the chopped lobster with mayonnaise and season lightly.
- Stir in celery if using.
- Butter the sides of the rolls and toast them until golden.
- Line the rolls with lettuce if you like.
- Pack the rolls generously with lobster salad.
- Garnish with herbs if desired and serve immediately.
Tips
- Use hard-shell lobsters if possible—they provide more meat per pound.
- Chill the lobster meat before assembling for the best texture contrast.
- Toast the rolls just until crisp on the outside but still soft inside.
- Save the shells and freeze them to make a tasty seafood stock in the future.
Recipe Variations
- Make it Connecticut-style. Serve the lobster warmed in melted butter instead of mayo.
- Add lemon. A squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the filling.
- Make it herby. Mix in a little dill or chives for extra flavor.
- Use brioche. If you can’t find New England rolls, brioche hot dog buns work well.
- Add a spicy kick. Stir a pinch of cayenne into the mayo.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with kettle chips or French fries.
- Pair with coleslaw, pasta salad, or a simple green salad.
- Add corn on the cob for a true New England–style meal.
- Garnish with lemon wedges for squeezing.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store the lobster salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Assemble the rolls just before serving to keep them from getting soggy.
Freeze: Freezing is not recommended—the texture of lobster becomes tough and watery once thawed.
Authentic New England Lobster Rolls
Ingredients
- 24 ounces lobster, chopped, from 3 lobsters, about 1 1/2 pounds each, cooked
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup mayonnaise, or to taste
- 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped, optional
- salt, to taste (I use fine sea salt)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 hot dog rolls, New England-style
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, for the rolls
- Lettuce leaves, optional
- Finely chopped chives, parsley, or dill, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Combine the chopped lobster meat with 1/4 cup of mayonnaise in a medium bowl. Add more mayonnaise, as desired.
- If desired, stir in the finely chopped celery. Season with sea salt and pepper, to taste.
- Butter both sides of the hot dog rolls. Toast the rolls on a griddle or skillet over medium heat, turning to brown on both sides. If you are not using New England-style rolls, butter and toast the inside of the rolls.
- Line the toasted buns with lettuce leaves, if desired, and pack them full of the lobster salad mixture. If desired, garnish with fresh chopped herbs and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
