The BEST Vegan Lobster Rolls (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Lexi

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These vegan Lobster Rolls are super quick and easy to make, packed with flavor and seriously taste like the real deal! They're such a fun idea for summer entertaining and have gotten rave reviews from meat-eaters and vegans alike.

The BEST Vegan Lobster Rolls (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (1)

I used to LOVE a good lobster roll. We made it a family tradition to make an (almost) yearly road trip to the east coast (Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts) and always made room for lobster rolls at just about every stop. They're a summer staple in New England!

Traditional lobster rolls are made with either a butter/lobster mixture (Connectivut-style) or a lobster/mayo/herb mixture (Maine-style). Maine-style lobster rolls are the most popular iteration, and in my opinion, the best.

Served in a buttered, lightly toasted bun, I can't think of a better roadside snack.

But, of course, since I no longer eat meat, we absolutely had to come up with a vegan alternative.

It's been years since I've had a real lobster rolls, and I'm thrilled with this recipe! While the lobster taste is (obviously) not there, the textures and flavors are surprisingly similar.

You absolutely have to give these a try this summer! They're so much fun for a summer dinner party, bbq or 4th of July celebration. If you have vegan and non-vegan guests, you can always make two options (one with lobster and one without).

The BEST Vegan Lobster Rolls (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (2)

Ingredients

  • Hearts of palm. Hearts of palm are the secret ingredient that make up the bulk of these vegan lobster rolls. They have a mild flavor and a texture that's surprisingly similar to lobster meat. You can find them canned in most stores. We also use them in these vegan crab cakes and this vegan ceviche!
  • Celery. Celery is not a traditional ingredient but we love the fresh flavor and textural contrast.
  • Green onion and parsley: for that fresh, herby flavor. You could also use dill, chives and/or tarragon.
  • Vegan mayo. Just about any store-bought variety will work great.
  • Plain yogurt. A small amount of vegan yogurt adds some tanginess to the sauce and also loosens it up. You can leave out if you don't have any.
  • Dijon mustard
  • Hot sauce. A vinegar-based hot sauce (like Frank's) is best.
  • Lemon juice
  • Paprika
  • Salt
The BEST Vegan Lobster Rolls (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (3)

Instructions

These vegan lobster rolls are SO easy to assemble.

Start by whisking together the mayo, yogurt, dijon, hot sauce, lemon, paprika and salt until it's creamy and smooth.

Then, drain the hearts of palm and roughly dice. I like to leave some pieces larger and slice some smaller to better mimic the texture of lobster meat.

I find it's best to finely mince the celery so you don't get huge chunks. Add in the chopped herbs and then toss everything in the mayo sauce until well coated.

Voilà! Vegan lobster meat.

The BEST Vegan Lobster Rolls (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (4)

Serving Suggestions

Serve the vegan lobster mixture in a lightly toasted bun, preferably brushed with vegan butter. If you'd like, you can line the roll with lettuce and/or tomatoes. I usually like to keep it simple with just the lobster mixture!

Same goes for toppings. It's great plain, but you could also add some more fresh herbs like chives, green onion or tarragon.

For a classic pairing, serve alongside chips or homemade crispy fries. I also love some good herb-roasted potato wedges. Yum! You could even make more of the mayo sauce for dipping.

The BEST Vegan Lobster Rolls (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (5)

More vegan summer recipes you'll love:

  • Mediterranean Grilled Tofu Kebabs
  • Strawberry Avocado Quinoa Salad
  • BBQ Pulled Mushrooms
  • Summer Moussaka via Food By Maria
  • Zucchini Fritters
The BEST Vegan Lobster Rolls (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (6)

If you make these vegan lobster rolls, we’d love for you to leave a comment and rating below! We also love to see your creations onInstagram– tag us at @crowded_kitchen so we can see what you’ve been cooking.

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The BEST Vegan Lobster Rolls (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (7)

Vegan Lobster Rolls

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  • Author: Lexi
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

These vegan Lobster Rolls are super quick and easy to make, packed with flavor and seriously taste like the real deal! They're such a fun idea for summer entertaining and have gotten rave reviews from meat-eaters and vegans alike.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 tbsp vegan mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp plain vegan yogurt
  • 1 ½ tsp dijon mustard
  • 1- 1 ½ teaspoon vinegar-based hot sauce
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 14 oz can of hearts of palm, roughly chopped
  • ⅓ cup celery, finely diced
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped scallions
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
  • Hot dog buns for serving

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayo, yogurt, dijon, hot sauce, lemon juice, paprika and salt until smooth.
  2. Drain liquid from hearts of palm, then roughly chop. I leave some pieces bigger and dice others smaller to mimic the texture of lobster meat. Add hearts of palm, celery, scallions and parsley to a bowl and toss in mayo mixture until well coated.
  3. Serve in a lightly toasted, (vegan) buttered hot dog bun. Enjoy!

Notes

You can make the filling up to 5 days ahead of time. Stir well before serving.

In place of scallions and parsley, you can also use dill, tarragon or chives.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 147
  • Sugar: 6.7 g
  • Sodium: 727.1 mg
  • Fat: 5.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19.6 g
  • Fiber: 3.7 g
  • Protein: 6.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
The BEST Vegan Lobster Rolls (Easy Recipe) - Crowded Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Is lobster roll better with butter or mayo? ›

Of course, melted butter is an exceptional condiment on most foods—no one is debating that. However, in the case of the lobster roll, a cold, mayo-dressed salad heaped into a grilled bun is the only way to go if you want a lobster roll that is rich, delicious, and enjoyed by the sea.

What is a vegan substitute for lobster? ›

south sea tofu vegan lobster substitute, organic, 180g
  • Green Legend Vegan Meat Ribs Sweet & Smoky With Bbq Glaze, 190g. ...
  • -30% ...
  • Vivera Vegan Salmon, 200g. ...
  • Lord of Tofu Thuna, Organic, 110g. ...
  • Happy Ocean Foods Happy Ocean Shrymps Garlic Herbs, 110g. ...
  • Wheaty Vegan Rosemary Roulade, Organic, 175g.

What sides go good with lobster rolls? ›

There's nothing wrong with pairing a lobster roll with classic french fries, chips or even tater tots. However, if you want to try something different, consider serving other veggie sides like zucchini fries or carrot chips. To make zucchini fries, you'll need breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs and zucchini.

How many lobsters do you need for 4 lobster rolls? ›

Nunn uses two small lobsters to make four rolls. That is 5-6 ounces each! According to Cook Fast, Eat Well, 3-4 ounces is what you should look to use per lobster roll, though you can even use a bit less per roll.

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

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

Which is better Maine or Connecticut lobster roll? ›

Taste: Aside from the obvious temperature difference, the cold Maine lobster roll is brinier tasting. The warm lobster meat in a Connecticut lobster roll is more tender and, thanks to the copious amounts of butter, buttery.

What is poor man's lobster made from? ›

Today we're making Poor Man's Lobster that is so easy and affordable. Lots of people like to use halibut for this dish, but cod works just as well, and that's what we'll be cooking up today. You can use any white fish that has enough texture and size that you can easily cut it into 1″ x 1″ chunks.

What is vegan lobster made of? ›

Vegan lobster is primarily made of yams or heart of palm.

According to many different online recipes and companies, the two main ingredients in vegan lobster tends to be yams and heart of palm.

How to make vegan food taste like seafood? ›

Make vegan seafood with king oyster mushrooms, oyster mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms. Also consider using canned hearts of palm, banana blossoms, jackfruit and artichoke hearts. To mimic the taste and texture of seafood dishes, use chickpeas, watermelon, tomato and carrots.

What kind of bread is used for lobster rolls? ›

Buns: New England Style Bread Rolls are traditional for Lobster Rolls. They are slit at the top, and the sides of the bun are flat, convenient for laying them flat to toast. If you can't find New England Style Buns, choose good quality soft, buttery buns—top sliced if you can find them, like these .

What drink pairs well with lobster? ›

Acidity is key in pairing wine with lobster. Think about how great a squeeze of lemon is on fish – a light, crisp wine with great acidity can do the same thing. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio can be great in this regard, but so can Riesling and Chardonnay.

Is lobster roll a healthy meal? ›

Lobster is a healthy option, as it is high in protein and lower in fat. When cooking lobster, it is important to avoid over-cooking, as this can make the lobster tough and chewy. Lobster can be boiled, baked, steamed or grilled.

Why are lobster rolls so expensive now? ›

In recent years, “We take whatever we can get,” Morander says. “Some of our local fishermen will only bring us 8 ½ pounds of live lobster at a time. So we're having to get ours from Maine and Canada.” Those added transportation costs add up, especially given the cost of fuel. Then there's the cost of labor.

What are the best buns for lobster rolls? ›

You can't just stick lobster meat in any old bun and call it a lobster roll! It must be a top-split, white-bread hot dog bun, slowly toasted on both sides in plenty of butter. This is not optional—it's an essential part of the recipe.

What is a substitute for celery in a lobster roll? ›

Fresh parsley is also allowed, just don't overdo it. Green onion is completely unnecessary but in VERY small amounts it can substitute for celery and parsley to give you crunch and color. A perfect lobster roll contains identifiable pieces. Claws are mostly intact.

Do lobster rolls always have mayo? ›

Some people like warm lobster rolls dressed with butter. I occasionally pine for the magnificent examples served at Neptune Oyster Bar in Boston. But most of the time, cold lobster meat dressed with plain old Hellmann's mayo is the way to go, perhaps with a little extra squeeze of lemon.

What is a lobster roll with butter called? ›

Essentially, there is none with a Connecticut roll — just a side of melted butter that's used to douse the lobster meat right before taking the first bite. Like the sound of warm, buttered lobster meat? Try Food Network Magazine's Connecticut-Style Lobster Rolls with Butter.

Why do people dip lobster in butter? ›

People who use butter do it because they like the taste of seafood dipped in butter. There's no great mystery here. You can try it to see whether you like it.

Do people eat lobster with butter? ›

Lobster is very expensive these days, but doesn't have a strong flavour, and contains little fat. Some people would consider that a bit of melted butter balances the meat nicely, both in terms if taste and nutrition.

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