Lobster Roll Recipe: Authentic New England Summer Classic 2026

The lobster roll is a beloved sandwich from the United States and Canada, made with chopped lobster meat tucked into a classic hot dog bun and brightened with fresh celery and mayonnaise. It's the taste of a New England summer: simple, generous and utterly succulent.

Despite what the name suggests, the crustacean behind this sandwich is the clawed lobster of the cold waters off North America's east coast. That's why you'll see unmistakable pieces of shelled claw meat in a proper lobster roll, and why the filling is so sweet and tender.

With just a handful of ingredients and about 50 minutes, you can serve four of these iconic sandwiches. Poach the lobster, chill it quickly, fold it with celery, lemon and mayo, and pile it into toasted buns for an unforgettable bite.

Ingredients for Lobster Roll

Makes 4 servings

• Salt
• 2 large lobsters
• 100 g celery
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 tablespoon salt
• 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
• Mayonnaise, to taste
• 4 hot dog buns

How to Make Lobster Roll Step by Step

1. Boil the lobsters

If your lobsters are not already cooked, bring plenty of salted water to a boil in a large pot that can hold both whole lobsters, using about 70 g of salt per liter of water. The amount of water depends on the size of your pot. When the water boils, immerse the 2 lobsters and cook for about 20 minutes.

2. Remove the lobsters

Carefully lift the lobsters out with tongs, taking care not to burn yourself, and transfer them to a bowl of cold water with ice to stop the cooking.

3. Chill completely

Leave the lobsters in the ice water until completely cool. This halts the cooking and keeps the meat firm and sweet.

4. Extract the lobster meat

Crack the shells of the tails and legs and carefully extract all the lobster meat. Discard the heads.

5. Clean and cut the celery

Clean 100 g of celery and cut it into thin slices or small dice.

6. Mix the filling

Put the lobster meat in a salad bowl and add the celery, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1/4 tablespoon of salt, 1 pinch of freshly ground black pepper and as much mayonnaise as you like. Mix well.

7. Fill the buns and serve

Divide the lobster filling among four hot dog buns, which you can toast beforehand, and serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Lobster Roll

Choose the right crustacean

Look for clawed lobster from cold waters, the kind used in New England. Its claw meat is sweet and tender, and it's what gives the sandwich its signature chunks of shelled meat.

Don't overcook the lobster

About 20 minutes in boiling salted water is enough for large lobsters. Plunging them straight into ice water stops the cooking and keeps the meat from turning rubbery.

Toast the buns

A lightly toasted hot dog bun adds crunch and keeps the bread from going soggy. Fill it just before serving so the sandwich stays crisp.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to rotation that covers cozy comfort plates, well-known dishes from around the world, and sweets that please a crowd.

When a rich, indulgent treat is what I'm after, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Mornings and lighter plates call for these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

Tapas and Mediterranean cooking are a mood I return to often, and I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, these crackly Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, a velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This chilled Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also makes the table when I feel like something a bit more elevated.

Come lunch or a slow dinner at home, I'm quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, a time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, a deep-flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When hunger runs bigger, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually mean this saucy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, golden Salchipapas recipe, a punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These simple Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work nicely as a light starter or snack.

And when guests are coming and drinks are part of the plan, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a jug of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the spread, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or ending with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of trying, tweaking, and remaking dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to see that the ones that stick around are built on straightforward steps, methods you can trust, and serious flavor.

What follows is the set of recipes I keep circling back to—whether it's a fast plate just for me or a bigger spread for the people I love.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something that feels fancy without much fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and uncomplicated, I'll usually reach for the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. And for heavier comfort plates, my usual picks are the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the velvety Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm just as happy sharing dishes with roots in other countries, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crunchy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's own Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I use all the time, since it cuts down on effort while still giving you excellent results. The ones I make most are Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a baked pasta classic can still be creamy, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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