Grilled Lobster rolls
My motto in life is butter makes everything better, and in the case of these lobster rolls it’s 100% true.
These garlic butter lobster rolls are sure to steal the show at any party. The freshly steamed lobster meat drenched in garlic butter and placed into a toasted bun, they’re simply unbeatable.
Ingredients you’ll need
Steamed lobsters: I live on the East Coast where live Maine lobsters are easiest to find at the local grocery store. They are cold-water lobsters making their meat sweet and tender. A rule of thumb for boiling lobsters is to boil one pound for 5-6 minutes. Example: 1 ¼ pound will take about 7-8 minutes whereas 2lbs will take 11-12 minutes.
Salted butter
Brioche hot dog buns: Traditionally lobster rolls are served on what’s called a top-split bun. However, finding them can be quite difficult so I opt to use a brioche hot dog bun. I prefer brioche because of the soft, light, and sweet flavor! Although, a potato bun will work as well.
Fresh herbs: chopped parsley
Garlic: Whole cloves, smashed and chopped.
Lemon: You will need the juice from the lemon.
Equipment you’ll need
Grill or griddle: I used Cabela’s 36’” propane griddle! Having four burners ensures a quicker cooking time. However, a grill will also work for this recipe if you use a cast iron pan to contain the garlic butter.
Cast iron: To melt the garlic butter
Knife
Cutting board
Pot: If you are steaming the lobsters yourself, as opposed to buying them pre-steamed from the store, you will need a large pot to fill with water.
The Great Lobster Roll Debate: Maine vs. Connecticut
This might not be common knowledge but there is a great debate on who has the better lobster rolls, Maine or Connecticut. Now, the main difference is the Maine-style lobster roll is served chilled with mayo while the Connecticut style is served warm with butter.
To dig a little deeper, the Maine lobster roll is pretty straightforward. It consists of Mayo, celery, lemon, mustard, and spices all nestled into a split top bun. The Connecticut style is a little more toasty, literally. This style also incorporates simple ingredients like butter, lemon, and seasonings.
If I’m being honest, I love both equally. However, I also have an obsession with garlic. This is where I made a Connecticut-style lobster roll with a garlicky twist. Also, If you love spice, and want to add a little kick to the garlic butter, feel free to toss in crushed red pepper!
How to make garlic butter lobster rolls
Step One: Steaming your lobsters
I prefer to purchase live lobsters and steam them at home. Although buying two pre-steamed lobsters will do just fine.If you choose to steam the lobsters at home, all you will need is a large pot of boiling water
A quick step-by-step on how to boil a lobster:
Prepare a large pot of water. There should be enough water to cover the lobster completely.
Bring the water to a rolling boil, and add the lobster to the pot. How you put in the lobster is up to preference. Some people prefer to place the lobster tail side first while others place the lobster head first.
Once the lobster is submerged in the pot, cover it with a lid. A rule of thumb for boiling lobsters is to boil one pound for 5-6 minutes. Example: 1 ¼ pound will take about 7-8 minutes whereas 2lbs will take 11-12 minutes. The lobster should register 135°F internally on an instant-read thermometer.
Remove the lobster, and place it onto a cutting board.
Once the lobster has cooled you will need to extract the meat.
First things first, break off the tail. Grab the tail with one hand, and the body with another, give a good twist and pull. The tail should detach from the body. Grab the tail meat firmly and twist until it slides out then give the tail meat a good chop.
Next, crack the claws. Hold the lobster claw and use a seafood cracker tool to break the shell and remove the meat. Be careful not to crush the meat inside. You can remove the claw meat by pushing with your fingers or a fork.
Extracting the leg meat is a little more difficult so I eat them as a snack.
Once you’ve extracted all the meat, toss it into a bowl and place it to the side.
Step Two: Prepping your ingredients
Remove the meat from the shells and place to the side.
Chop roughly 15 cloves of garlic or enough to yield ¼ cup and place to the side.
Step Three: Fire up the griddle
Bring half the griddle to medium-high heat and set the cast iron onto the griddle. Bring it to a low heat on the other half of the griddle.
On the side that’s heated to low, start toasting your buns.
The cast iron should be hot enough to add the butter at this stage. Once the butter has melted, toss in the garlic and salt/pepper to taste.
Allow the garlic to cook in the butter for about 7 minutes or until soft.
Next, add the lobster and toss.
Take one of the toasted buns and stuff it with lobster.
Garnish with parsley or a squeeze of lemon.
Enjoy!
Garlic butter lobster rolls
Recipe Info
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Effort: medium
• Course: Appetizer
Ingredients
2 steamed lobsters
¼ cup chopped garlic
1 stick salted butter
6 brioche hot dog buns
¼ cup chopped parsley
One lemon
Instructions
If you opt to steam the lobster:
Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the lobster completely.
Bring the water to a boil.
Add in the lobster. It does not matter if you add the lobster in tail down or head down.
Cover the pot.
A rule of thumb for boiling lobsters is to boil one pound for 5-6 minutes. Example: 1 ¼ pound will take about 7-8 minutes whereas 2lbs will take 11-12 minutes. The internal temperature should be 135°F.
Remove the lobster from the pot.
Let the lobster cool before removing the meat.
INSTRUCTIONS
Remove the meat from the lobster.
Chop the lobster and garlic and put to the side.
Pre-heat half of the griddle to low and the other half to medium-high.
Add butter and toast the buns on the side that is heated to low.
On the side that is heated to medium-high, set the cast iron on the griddle and melt the butter.
Once the butter is melted, add the garlic and cook for about 7 minutes.
Toss in the lobster.
Grab a toasted bun, and stuff it with lobster.
Garnish with parsley or a squeeze of lemon!
Serve & Enjoy!
NOTE: Add crushed red pepper to the garlic butter if you want a little spice.
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