What could be better than a Connecticut-style Warm Lobster Roll served with butter and lemon? Okay, that is just a rhetorical question. With a warm, toasted, buttery bun that is full of freshly cooked lobster meat, this is the perfect meal for lunch and dinner. This hot sandwich is a seafood lover's dream! Not in the mood for a warm lobster roll? Then how about a cold Maine-style Lobster Salad Roll?
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What is a Connecticut Lobster Roll?
A warm Connecticut-style Lobster Roll is a toasted split-top hot dog bun, stuffed with warm lobster meat that has been chopped into small pieces. This delicious seafood sandwich also includes warm melted butter as well as a lemon wedge for squeezing onto your fresh seafood meal and is served warm.
To make these rolls extra delicious, I enriched the warm butter with garlic and lemon, before adding the lobster meat to the butter for maximum flavor.
How is it different from a Maine Lobster Roll?
Although the ingredients are very similar, the main difference between these two types of lobster buns is that Connecticut serves their rolls warm with butter and lemon, and Maine serves them cold with a type of lobster salad that is made with mayonnaise. Both have long been an East Coast staple and are native to New England.
What is the best lobster meat to use?
The best lobster meat is the white claw, knuckle, and tail meat. These parts of a lobster have chunks of delicious, tender meat that are perfect for your sandwich. I don't recommend using brown lobster meat as this type of lobster meat is better used in chowders and spreads for added flavor. Use fresh rather than frozen lobster meat whenever possible.
How do I prepare the lobster meat?
Cooked lobster meat
I prefer to buy already cooked lobster from my fishmonger that has been split up. Then I remove all of the white lobster meat from the shell and chop it up. Most fishmongers also offer to remove the lobster meat from the shell for you, and all you have to do is cut it into pieces at home.
Frozen lobster meat
If you can't get fresh lobster meat, you have to go with frozen lobster. Therefore, prepare the lobster according to the package, remove the white meat from the shell, and cut it into pieces.
Live lobster
To prepare live lobster for this sandwich, you will want to cook it in boiling water. Allow about eight minutes per pound of live weight (before cooking) and then remove from water once done cooking. Remove meat from the shell and chop it into small pieces. Here is an excellent guide on how to cook live lobster.
What is the best bun for seafood sandwiches?
To prepare authentic lobster sandwiches as served in Connecticut, opt for a New England-style hot dog bun. This type of bun has the advantage that it can be loaded with toppings and is easier to prepare because it stands upright. The flat sides make it perfect for toasting with butter on both sides. However, regular hot dog buns are just as delicious.
What to serve with it?
These warm lobster rolls are delicious on their own, but you can serve them with a side of fries, chips, or coleslaw. Classic lemonade is the perfect accompanying drink.
Photo instructions
In a large skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Add the smashed garlic clove and heat for 2-3 minutes to infuse the butter with garlic taste. Stir occasionally.
Add the lemon juice and stir until combined. Then add the chopped lobster meat and salt and stir to combine. Keep it in the skillet over low heat for 3-5 minutes. Don't cook the lobster, just let it get warm in the pan so that the butter doesn't evaporate.
In the meantime, butter the buns and toast them on both sides in a skillet over medium-high heat (or in a toaster) for 1-2 minutes.
Fill the toasted buns with the warm lobster and drizzle with melted butter.
More comfort food recipes to try
If you love comfort food, you've come to the right place. Check out the following recipes, which I'm sure you will love as well.
Recipe
Warm Connecticut Lobster Roll Sandwich
Ingredients
- ¾ lb cooked lobster meat (you will need 1 large whole lobster)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 clove garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 split-top hot dog buns
Instructions
- Chop the cooked lobster meat into ½-inch (1.3cm) pieces and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Add the smashed garlic clove and heat for 2-3 minutes to infuse the butter with garlic taste. Stir occasionally.
- Add the lemon juice and stir until combined. Remove the garlic clove and add the chopped lobster meat and salt and stir to combine. Keep it in the skillet over low heat for 3-5 minutes. Don't cook the lobster, just let it get warm in the pan so that the butter doesn't evaporate.
- In the meantime, butter the buns and toast them on both sides in a skillet over medium-high heat (or in a toaster) for 1-2 minutes.
- Fill the toasted buns with the warm lobster, drizzle with the melted butter, and serve with lemon wedges and your favorite side dishes.
Video
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