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 lobsters do you need for 4 lobster rolls? ›

Nunn uses two small lobsters to make four rolls. That is 5-6 ounces each! According to Cook Fast, Eat Well, 3-4 ounces is what you should look to use per lobster roll, though you can even use a bit less per roll.

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? ›

You can't just stick lobster meat in any old bun and call it a lobster roll! It must be a top-split, white-bread hot dog bun, slowly toasted on both sides in plenty of butter.

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.

Do lobster rolls always have mayo? ›

It's as simple as this: If the meat is cold, it's a Maine lobster roll. In most cases, the meat is tossed with mayonnaise, tarragon and celery or scallions before it's piled into a bun.

What is a lobster roll with butter called? ›

Connecticut lobster roll, also called a warm lobster roll, is served warm with tender, juicy lobster meat tossed with melted butter and piled high on a toasted hot dog bun! It's a simpler lobster roll compared to the Maine lobster roll but is just as delicious!

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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