Spicy and bursting with flavor, our quick and easy Vegan Lobster Roll delivers flavor, texture, and heat. All the things you are looking for in a lobster roll, without the actual lobster. Serve it with our Baked Sweet Potato Fries, and you have a beautiful meal.
Why Make a Vegan Lobster Roll?
Whenever we talk about food, my non-vegetarian friends often bring up all the things I'm missing out on because of my dietary restrictions. Particularly when it comes to two things: bacon (which, honestly, I don't think I would eat even if I could!) and shellfish - of which lobster is the most significant.
Let me ask this. If you find an equally delicious and satisfying alternative that follows your dietary guidelines, why not go for it?! As long as you're enjoying your food, why beef about what it's called?
As a perfect example, our vegan "lobster" roll stands in the gap between my taste buds and my restrictions. Is it lobster? No. Does it taste like lobster? We have no idea. Kinda looks like it, but I highly doubt it matches the flavors note for note. What I do know, however, is that it is positively decadent! Creamy, buttery, salty and messy. This is not a lobster "substitute"; it's an amazing meal in its own right.
What's Vegan Lobster Exactly?
In this case, we make the "lobster meat" of the sandwich using jarred hearts of palm. It's a simple ingredient that tastes amazing!
How to Make a Vegan Lobster Roll
We have step-by-step instructions for building this sandwich with pictures to illustrate, and the best part is you don't have to cook. No heating up the kitchen. You are also going to love how simple the recipe is to make.
Choose large hearts of palm, preferably from a jar instead of a can. They tend to be larger and more tender.
Roll the hearts of palm into Old Bay Seasoning and sweet paprika. We give the exact amounts on the recipe card.
Slice the spiced hearts of palm. If you want, you can cut it up even smaller.
Make the vegan mayonnaise-based sauce using fresh dill, capers, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Add the spiced hearts of palm (AKA vegan lobster meat).
Mix gently to combine. Fill each bun with the hearts of palm mixture right before serving the sandwiches.
Variations for Vegan Lobster Rolls
Not sure what type of bun you want to use? We recommend a hot dog bun, but there is no reason you can't use a gluten-free bun, a deli bun, or any of the sandwich rolls you find at the grocery store.
Adjust the Old Bay to Sweet Paprika ratio to your taste. If you want more heat, add more Old Bay!
Not looking forward to extra carbs? You can make this vegan lobster meat into a Vegan Lobster Salad instead! Toss the spiced hearts of palm directly into a salad and add your favorite dressing.
Toast your hot dog bun open in the toaster or on a tray in the oven for a few minutes and drizzle it with melted butter if you love that gourmet restaurant flare.
Garnish with freshly cracked pepper, a sprinkling of fresh chives or parsley, or a little chopped red onion if desired.
What to Serve with a Vegan Lobster Roll
There's nothing wrong with pairing this sandwich with an easy bag of potato chips because it is so easy to make a vegan lobster roll it will only take minutes. It pairs beautifully with a broccoli salad, sweet potato fries or Zucchini Fries, and a cold corn soup.
How to Store Vegan Lobster Meat
Once you have the hearts of palm rolled in spices and tossed in the mayonnaise, you can keep it refrigerated in an airtight container for a couple of days and build new sandwiches as desired.
What do Hearts of Palm taste like?
A subtle, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor, hearts of palm is reminiscent of parsnips, artichoke hearts, or white asparagus.
Other Summer Recipes You May Enjoy
- Grillable Veggie Burger
- Feta Watermelon Salad
- Raspberry Lemonade
- Pesto Sauce
- Authentic Spanish Gazpacho
- Pan con Tomate
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Vegan Lobster Roll Recipe
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Our version of a lobster roll, veganized! Spicy, bursting with flavor and super quick and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sweet paprika
- ½ tbsp Old Bay seasoning (See Note 1)
- 3 large hearts of palm
- 3 tbsp plain vegan mayo
- Sriracha to taste (depending on how spicy you like it), we used 1 teaspoon.
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped dill
- ½ tbsp capers, well drained (or to taste)
- 2 whole wheat hot dog buns
Instructions
- Combine the sweet paprika and Old Bay on a medium side plate
- Roll each heart of palm on the spice mix until completely coated
- Cut each heart of palm into ½ inch pieces (you'll get about 5 pieces per heart) and set aside
- In a medium size bowl, whisk together the vegan mayo, sriracha, lemon juice, dill and capers. Add the hearts of palm and mix gently
- Fill each roll with the mixture right before serving
Notes
- You can change the paprika/Old Bay ratio depending on how spicy you want it!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 vegan lobster roll
- Calories: 243
- Sugar: 3.7
- Sodium: 677
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 1.2
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 29
- Fiber: 5,2
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 0
judee@ Gluten Free A-Z Blog
I just went to a convention in Maryland, and guess what they gave us in our goody bag- old bay seasoning which is manufactured there. I have never used it in my life and wondered what a "vegetarian" would do with it. Gotta try your recipe- It looks delicious .
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you Judee! Now you have an excuse to use it!! It's pretty spicy though, so test it first 🙂
Farha - faskitchen
Looks delicious.. As good as any meaty roll... im having water in my mouth..
Florian @ContentednessCooking
This looks amazing, love the flavors!
Vicky & Ruth
Thank you so much!! This sandwich definitely packs a punch and is perfect for summer 🙂
Ariana
What an awesome recipe Vicky and Ruth. It has so much flavor! The best Vegan lobster Roll Recipe
Joy
I brought some vegan Foix gras for Christmas and it was nothing like the animal one (I’ve had that).
So to cut discussions short I said to just taste it as cajou and see.
I really believe that it’s best to also forget animal names for our food when it’s vegan, it would cut the dumb discussions.
I am sure of your dish’s taste as everything you make is so good.
I will buy palm heart when I see it to make this. Thank you
Wilma
I love your comment on renaming to cut the DUMB discussions.
I refuse to explain my eating to friends - I eat what agrees with my body my MIND is part of my body.
Here's to healthy eating to FEED mind - body- siul
Lynn
Hi, apparently, by the comments, people like it. I guess I have eaten too many real lobster rolls, but I can't get my head around this or my tastebuds. But, hey, good for those who can. This is just my opinion. Don't worry trying to please everyone.
Cindy
This recipe was easy to make although a bit spicy for me, but perfect for my husband. Instead of rolls, I made lettuce wraps
Dorie
Great idea Cindy, even healthier!
RobinL
Like Cindy, I offered a variety of greens to my luncheon guests to make wraps. Bread is not my guests or my friend. Thanks for sharing your creative vegan/vegetarian recipes with us to provide a variety of quality nutritious food for those self-partnered, couples and guests and those with families.
dodie
Funny - bought 3 cans of hearts of palm and just tried them straight up as a snack and loved it. Have to try this easy-peasy recipe. It's gotta be good! Thank you for being so creative!
Vicky and Ruth
Thank you!
Tamar Peleg
Just made it for the Labor Day weekend. My husband and I l-o-v-e-d it!
Vicky and Ruth
YAY! Happy to hear!
juleezee
How did I ever miss this one until now??? Love the idea of using palm hearts and Old Bay seasoning, and I'm making this as soon as I buy the missing ingredients. It will be perfect for an improvised al fresco meal after a ramble in the park on the trail. Many thanks for yet another fabulous recipe idea.
Vicky and Ruth
Thank you!we are glad you found the recipe!