Stop Choosing Only One Lobster Roll Style And Combine Them Instead

There's a difference between Maine and Connecticut lobster rolls. Maine's cold lobster meat comes with mayo, and depending on the restaurant, it might also have celery and chives. Meanwhile, Connecticut has butter-drenched meat with a bright lemon finish. While we could debate which one's better, why not try to make everyone happy by settling on the ultimate fusion? The key to making a mouthwatering lobster roll might be combining these styles, using butter, mayonnaise, lemon, and herbs together.

Chowhound spoke with Omni Boston Hotel's executive chef, Yousef Ghalaini, to find out how to mesh two tasty creations together. "Start by tossing the lobster in warm, softened butter, just enough to coat each piece and draw out its natural sweetness," he exclusively told us. "That gentle heat helps the butter seep into the meat without making it greasy. Then, fold in a light touch of mayo for a creamy, cool contrast."

Blending two harmonious flavors is all thanks to butter's warmth, which allows the creamy ingredient to blanket the seafood. This results in a luscious, indulgent bite, paired with an almost delicate feel. Just make sure you add the right amount of lobster meat to your roll, especially if you want to enhance its oceanic flavor. There are other methods to ensure the seafood's flavor still shines, and it's not at all complicated.

While it may be tempting, don't go all out with the butter and mayo on your roll. Yousef Ghalaini advises, "Focus on restraint and use butter and mayo as accents, not main players. It's important to season sparingly with just a bit of sea salt and lemon to brighten the dish." You want them to complement the lobster, not serve as substitutes in providing flavor. Lobster can easily do that on its own — and you should definitely let it.

To improve the succulent bite, you can even go the extra mile by browning the butter. In doing that, you allow the ingredient to produce a Maillard reaction, which results in an aromatic mouthful with a deeper flavor. Salted caramel can add an unexpected — but definitely welcomed — flavor, but make sure to use it sparingly.

Ghalaini also suggests introducing other elements to mayo to really seal the deal, "You can mix in fresh herbs, lemon zest, or even a touch of miso for umami balance like we do at The Sporting Club at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport." Overall, there are so many creative ways to achieve the perfect Maine-Connecticut lobster rolls. You could follow Ghalaini's footsteps and create an elevated masterpiece or let your imagination guide you. You could even turn the filling into a fries topping for a shareable take on the lobster roll and let it be the star at your next party.