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? ›

Some lobster lovers may prefer the cool and refreshing taste of chilled lobster with a touch of mayo, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and seasoning on a buttered and freshly toasted bun. Others may favor warm, succulent lobster meat doused in drawn butter and served on a fluffy, slightly crunchy toasted bun.

What is a vegan substitute for lobster? ›

south sea tofu vegan lobster substitute, organic, 180g

The unmistakable taste of the sea – 100% vegan, 100% plant-based. That's just one of Lord of Tofu's many talents. But this one is just as good, if not better.

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 pounds of lobster per person for lobster rolls? ›

With a yield of around 30 to 40%, you should plan on about one and a half pounds of shell-on lobster per person, which will give you two 4- to 5-ounce lobster rolls.

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.

What kind of bun is best for lobster roll? ›

Lobster rolls are traditionally served on a top-split, melted butter grilled roll called a New England hot dog bun. Finding authentic rolls outside New England can be difficult. The typical New England hot dog roll has straight-up, white sides that absorb the most butter and stay soft inside when grilled in a pan.

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 drink pairs well with lobster? ›

The Best Wines to Pair 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.

What sauce goes with lobster? ›

The Number One Sauce for Lobster: Garlic Butter Sauce

Garlic butter is even better! Garlic and lobster go very well together, as do garlic and butter.

Is lobster roll a healthy meal? ›

Lobster certainly isn't the problem: 3 ounces of cooked lobster meat contains 83 calories, 1 gram of fat and 17 grams of protein. It also packs in 44 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin B12 and more than 50 percent of the mineral (and antioxidant) selenium.

Why are lobster rolls so expensive now? ›

Morander pointed to many reasons for the price hikes (the current cost of a Lobster Landing roll is $26.50), but emphasized three: the quality of the meat, sourcing challenges, and the labor-intensive nature or roll-making.

How much does a 100 year old lobster weigh? ›

American lobsters have a long life span. It's difficult to determine their exact age because they shed their hard shell when they molt, leaving no evidence of age. But scientists believe some American lobsters may live to be 100 years old. They can weigh up to 44 pounds.

Do you serve lobster rolls hot or cold? ›

Lobster rolls come in two varieties: hot with melted butter or cold with mayonnaise (and, sometimes, celery). While the cold one is known as the “traditional” preparation, history has actually shown that the first lobster roll was served hot with drawn butter and was made in Connecticut, not Maine. Which one is better?

Do lobster rolls always have mayo? ›

If you prefer a lobster roll with no mayo, you can also use butter as the perfect substitute for that. All butters are not created equal. They vary in flavor, texture, and moisture levels. Choose a quality butter like Kate's Butter, which highlights the sweetness of lobster meat without overpowering the taste.

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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