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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 sandwich is sure to please.

Buttery Connecticut Lobster Rolls are a delicious warm alternative to Maine lobster rolls

Buttery Connecticut Lobster Rolls

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/

The brioche rolls they serve are loaded to the brim with sweet lobster rolls and dripping with drawn butter. They are so simple and so dang good and one of my favorite summer indulgences. And I just had to share this simple recipe with you.

Connecticut Style vs Maine Style

Buttery Connecticut Lobster Rolls are a delicious warm alternative to Maine lobster rolls

Buttery Connecticut 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  Because so many area restaurants in Cape May serve their lobster rolls like this, I feel like this variation should be called a Cape May lobster roll. 

Maine lobster rolls often have ingredients in the cold lobster salad like celery and sometimes scallions. Think chicken salad but with lobster. Connecticut or New England 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

Ingredients for a lobster roll with no mayonnaise: lobster, hot dog rolls, butter, lemon, seasoning

Ingredients for a lobster roll with no mayonnaise: lobster, hot dog rolls, butter, lemon, seasoningd

This sandwich is so simple. To make it you need:

  • Hot dog rolls– For these sandwiches, go for brioche lobster rolls that open on the top rather than on the side if you can find them.
  • Cooked lobster meat– Lobster tail works best. Cook it anyway you like. Learn how to cook lobster in this post.
  • Butter– Lots of melted butter. Feeling fancy? Brown the butter.
  • Seasoning (optional)– If you season it, just a little sea salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon is it. 

That’s it!

How to Make

Good lobster rolls start with perfectly cooked lobster.

Good lobster rolls start with perfectly cooked lobster.

Making these lobster sandwiches is so easy. Just use your favorite method to cook the lobster. Not sure how to? I have a post that breaks down exactly how to cook a lobster tail and gives you lots of different options. I recommend baking or grilling but you can certainly boil it as well.

Cut up the lobster meat

Cut up the lobster meat

Once you’ve cooked the lobster, remove the meat from the tails and cut it up into pieces. Melt a stick of butter and gently toss the lobster tail with the butter. Season with salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice if you choice.

Butter and lobster meat ready to stuff into the rolls

Butter and lobster meat ready to stuff into the rolls

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. Then fill them to the brim with buttery lobster filling. Serve warm.

What kind of bread should I use?

The perfect roll for a lobster roll is soft, good quality hot dog roll

The perfect roll for a lobster roll is soft, good quality hot dog roll

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 to Serve with Them

Potato chips and coleslaw pair well with lobster rolls.

Potato chips and coleslaw pair well with lobster rolls.

Even though lobster can be sort of a fussy ingredients, lobster rolls are simple and go with simple sides like chips or fries. You can also serve it with a simple red potato salad and a fresh tomato cucumber salad or your favorite coleslaw.

Tips and Tricks

Buttery lobster rolls with no mayo

Connecticut lobster rolls

  • 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.
  • Don’t under fill the rolls. You want each bite to be full of sweet lobster meat.

Do they save well?

Buttery Connecticut Lobster Rolls are a delicious warm alternative to Maine lobster rolls

Connecticut Lobster Rolls

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:

Make these delicious buttery Connecticut lobster rolls and try a yummy warm twist on the classic sandwich. Did you make this recipe or one of my other recipes? Leave me a comment below or tag me on Facebook or Instagram @Seasonedsprinkles and let me see!

Buttery Connecticut Lobster Rolls are a delicious warm alternative to Maine lobster rolls

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 sandwich is sure to please.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Course: dinner, sandwich, seafood
Cuisine: American
Keyword: buttery lobster roll, Connecticut lobster roll, lobster roll no may, lobster roll without mayo
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Author: jfletcher

Ingredients

  • 32 ounces of lobster meat we used lobster tail because that's what is available in our grocery store but you can use a mix of claw meat and lobster tail
  • 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. Then fill them to the brim with buttery lobster filling. Serve warm.
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