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

What is a substitute for celery in a lobster roll? ›

Green onion is completely unnecessary but in VERY small amounts it can substitute for celery and parsley to give you crunch and color. A perfect lobster roll contains identifiable pieces. Claws are mostly intact. Tail chunks are bite sized.

How many lobsters do you need for 4 lobster rolls? ›

Since I like to pile my lobster rolls sky high with meat, I usually plan to buy 1.5 lobsters per person (or roll), though you could definitely get away with the '1 Lobster per person' rule- especially if you take the care to dig out the leg & knuckle meat.

What side dishes go well 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.

What part of lobster is best for lobster roll? ›

Opting for chopped tail meat will also work, but we'd recommend saving the tails for a more authentic experience. It's almost as if lobster knuckle and claw meat were made to be used in lobster rolls and the soft, succulent consistency makes 'em the best choice around.

What seasoning can replace celery? ›

Nigella Seeds

Similar in flavor to celery, nigella seeds make a terrific celery salt substitute. They're very flavorful and have a pungent and peppery aroma.

How do you make celery flavor without celery? ›

For fresh and light salads, good alternatives to celery include radishes, cucumber, apple and green bell pepper. Which vegetable tastes like celery? Fennel and bok choy are the closest in taste to celery.

What is the best bun for lobster roll? ›

Prepare the Bun: Take your hot dog buns—ideally, New England-style which are side-split and flat on the sides—and brush the outside with melted butter. This Maine sea salt butter will add a rich flavor to your roll.

Is traditional lobster roll with butter or mayonnaise? ›

While Maine rolls are served with chilled mayo-coated lobster salad on toasted split-top rolls, Connecticut-style rolls are warm and dripping with savory melted butter.

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.

What drink goes well with lobster rolls? ›

Gin and tonic: A classic gin and tonic is a refreshing and versatile pairing for a lobster roll. Choose a high-quality gin with citrusy botanicals, such as Hendricks or Tanqueray, and pair it with dry tonic water. Vodka and soda: A vodka and club soda is a light and clean pairing for a lobster roll.

Are lobster rolls healthy? ›

Lobster is a nutrient-rich seafood, packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it an excellent choice for those looking to fuel their bodies with wholesome goodness.

Is a lobster roll better hot or cold? ›

Whether you choose to serve lobster rolls hot or cold depends on whether you prefer butter or mayo. A traditional Maine-style lobster roll is mayonnaise-dressed and served cold. As New Englanders know, a cold, creamy lobster roll can hit the spot on a summer day.

How many lobster rolls per person? ›

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 are the three types of lobster rolls? ›

Lobsters Rolls

And these most popular selections are Maine-style, Connecticut-Style, and New England salad-style.

What is the difference between a New England lobster roll and a Connecticut lobster roll? ›

Instead of the chilled lobster touted by the Maine roll, the Connecticut-style lobster roll is served warm. It's packed with warm, thick cuts of meat from the tail and claw, tossed with just the right amount of indulgent butter and—you guessed it—tucked inside that delicious split top bun.

What can I use instead of celery in gumbo? ›

If you need texture and flavor, you can try these for a healthy celery alternative.
  1. Fennel (Fennel stalks and fennel bulbs can be used.)
  2. Red, yellow, or white onion.
  3. Scallions or green onions.
  4. Carrots.
  5. Shallots.
  6. Garlic.
  7. Fresh chives.
  8. Leeks.
May 7, 2019

What vegetable can I use instead of celery? ›

Best Substitutes for Celery
  • Fennel. Fennel is a member of the parsley family and has a long, white bulb with green stalks. ...
  • Cucumber. ...
  • Green onion. ...
  • Mixture of carrots and onion. ...
  • Water chestnuts (canned) ...
  • Jicama. ...
  • Radish. ...
  • Green bell pepper.
Oct 9, 2022

What can I use instead of fresh celery in stuffing? ›

Leeks. When cooked, celery and leeks share a similar fibrous and slightly soft texture. Leeks impart a light onion flavor that celery doesn't have and tend to be a bit stringy. This swap works best in soups or recipes like stuffing, where you would typically find an oniony flavor along with the celery.

Can I use lettuce instead of celery? ›

Iceberg lettuce certainly makes the list here as it has a very subtle flavor profile and crunchy texture reminiscent of celery. Use as a substitute in fresh, raw dishes.

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