The Best Buttery Connecticut Lobster Rolls
Move over Maine Lobster rolls. These buttery Connecticut lobster rolls are a delicious savory treat that scream summer. Featuring sweet, tender shellfish, and loads of drawn butter, this lobster roll recipe is sure to please.
My husband and I have been going to Cape May, New Jersey for as long as we’ve been together, which is a super long time.
Every year, we go to a pub called The Ugly Mug because they have the best lobster rolls ever!
There’s no mayo in sight on these rolls and it is so good!
We used our favorite Connecticut lobster rolls from Cape May as inspiration to create this authentic recipe.
The recipe is so simple and easy, you can enjoy this summer treat anytime you want.
Connecticut Style vs Maine Style Lobster Rolls
Mayo haters rejoice!
While traditional Maine lobster rolls generally feature cold lobster meat in mayo based salad on a hot dog roll, this style has no mayonnaise whatsoever.
Connecticut style lobster rolls, like this one, have warm lobster meat and tons of melted butter.
Also, Maine lobster rolls often have ingredients in the cold lobster salad like celery and sometimes scallions. Think chicken salad but with lobster.
Connecticut lobster rolls are simpler with only lobster meat and drawn butter.
Sometimes, I might add a squeeze of lemon, but that’s it.
When you have such a delicious ingredient, no need to use tons of ingredients for good flavor.
Ingredients and Kitchen Supplies
The buttery lobster rolls are so simple, all you need to make them include:
- Hot dog rolls– For these lobster rolls, I use brioche rolls that open on the top rather than on the side. You can find them in most grocery stores now. In a pinch, you can use hot dog buns. Long steak rolls or just about any long, soft roll will work, so choose your favorite!
- Cooked lobster meat– Lobster tail works best because the meat is generally sweet and delicious. If you don’t know how to cook lobster meat, check out this guide that offers several ways to cook lobster.
- Butter– Lots of melted butter. Feeling fancy? Brown the butter. You can use this recipe to learn about how to make brown butter and lobster.
- Seasoning (optional)– If you want to season the lobster rolls, I recommend just a little sea salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. You really do not want to add much more so that the lobster’s flavor really comes through.
You do not need any special equipment for buttery lobster rolls. Good things to have on hand include:
- Kitchen shears – They help cut the lobster tail or you can use them to chop up the meat.
- Medium sauce pan
How to Make Buttery Lobster Rolls
1. Cook the lobster tails.
I have a post that breaks down exactly how to cook a lobster tail and gives you lots of different options.
I recommend baking, removing the meat and sauteing, or grilling, but you can certainly boil it as well.
2. Cut the lobster into pieces.
Once you’ve cooked the lobster, remove the meat from the tails and cut it up into small pieces.
Melt a stick of butter in a medium sauce pan or add the meat and butter to a bowl and then gently toss the lobster tail with the butter.
Season with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice if you want, otherwise skip the extra seasonings.
3. Fill the buns
If you like, you can warm the buns the oven or sear the insides of the buns on a grill or hot pan.
To sear them, I recommend spreading some melted butter on top and then using a broiler for about 1 to 2 minutes or a large pan set over medium-high heat for about 1 to 2 minutes.
Otherwise, once you toss the lobster with the butter, spoon a heaping portion into each bun.
Serve them fresh and warm.
Storing Connecticut lobster rolls
When you make Connecticut lobster rolls, you should enjoy them right away.
If you really want to make them ahead, I recommend cooking the lobster meat and storing in an airtight container for no more than 2 days in the fridge.
When you are ready to eat them, heat up the meat and melt the butter before placing them into the rolls.
If you have a left over roll, it will store for about 2 days in the fridge if you wrap it tightly or place in an airtight container.
Just be warned, it will be hard to heat it up nicely and the roll will get soggy.
FAQs
What is the best bun for lobster rolls?
Traditionally lobster rolls are served on a hot dog roll. Really you can use any soft roll. Don’t use harder or chewier rolls to make these delicate sandwiches. So avoid ciabatta, baguettes, sourdough, etc.
What are the two types of lobster rolls?
Maine lobster rolls and Connecticut lobster rolls are the two main types you will see variations on. Maine lobster rolls are typically chilled with mayo and crunchy veggies, like celery, mixed in. Connecticut lobster rolls are mostly served warmed with melted butter on them
What part of lobster is best for lobster roll?
There is some debate here. I like using lobster tail because it is generally easier to get at the grocery store since you do not need to buy one or more whole lobsters to make it. Tails by themselves are typically less expensive than whole lobster, so this makes it budget-friendly option. Traditionalists who make buttery lobster rolls swear by claw and knuckle meat due to their soft texture, though they will also make it using tail meat if that’s all that is available.
What to Serve with Buttery Lobster Rolls
Even though lobster can be sort of a fussy ingredients, lobster rolls are simple and go with your average sandwich sides, like chips or fries.
You can also serve lobster rolls with:
Tips and Tricks
- Go for good quality rolls for these sandwiches. Brioche is softer and lighter and matches the tender meat well.
- Brush the rolls with melted butter before lightly toasting them or searing them using the broiler or a hot pan.
- Don’t under fill the rolls. You want each bite to be full of sweet, buttery lobster meat.
- I wouldn’t recommend saving these. They are best when you make them. However, cooked lobster meat keeps in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Looking for other lobster recipes? Try these:
- Easy Lobster Scampi Linguine
- Lobster Risotto
- Brown Butter Lobster Pasta
- How to Cook Lobster: 8 Easy Ways
- Lobster Alfredo
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Ingredients
- 32 ounces of lobster meat You can use lobster tail meat, claws, or knuckle meat, but lobster tails are easiest to get in most stores.
- 4 soft good quality hot dog buns
- 1 stick plus 2 tablespoons of butter divided
- a squeeze of fresh lemon juice optional
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Once you've cooked the lobster, remove the meat from the tails and cut it up into pieces.
- Melt a stick of butter in a medium pan and gently toss the lobster tail with the butter. Season with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice if you choice.
- While the butter is melting and you're tossing it with the lobster, warm the the buns either by grilling them on a hot grill pan or warming in the oven.
- Melt the remaining butter by microwaving in a microwave safe dish for 30 seconds. Brush the rolls with the melted butter.
- Fill each roll to the brim with buttery lobster filling. Serve warm.
Simple, easy to follow, great post!