You might not know it yet, but fresh lobster from Maine is an incredibly versatile food. It shines in some of your favorite dishes – soups, sandwiches, and pasta, to name a few – as much as it stands out on its own. But does it have any place in a salad?
It’s somewhat of a contested issue in the world of lobster, but here’s our thought on the topic: Lobster can be used as both the main component of a salad and a supporting ingredient in a salad.
Can I Add Lobster to Salad?
In short, yes! As with most seafood, lobster has intense flavors. Most salads are a little more subdued, so the trick to incorporating lobster into a salad is to get creative in ways that make the lobster shine, but not overpower, your meal.
Technically, there are two main ways to do it:
Make It the Star
One of the best ways to use lobster in a salad is to make it the salad! Lobster salad is a real thing, and it’s what you’re most likely to see on a sandwich (like a lobster roll), or even as a dip or spread. There are a lot of ways to make it with various spices and dressings, but the most common ingredients for a lobster salad perfect for serving on a hearty New England roll are:
- Cooked, diced Maine lobster from Maine Lobster House
- Mayonnaise
- A splash of fresh lemon
- Salt and pepper
- Diced celery
Some people add in a little bit of mustard or avocado to the mayonnaise dressing for bolder flavor, so feel free to experiment with your favorite ingredients.
Make It the Supporting Actor
Making lobster an ingredient in a salad instead of the star can be a little trickier, so it’ll require some more creativity. Lobster isn’t going to pair well with all salad ingredients, toppings, and dressings, so you’ll need to take a little more care to pick what you want to go with it in your salad.
The key is to keep it simple. When you’re adding lobster to salad, you don’t need ten other ingredients. Leafy green lettuce, celery, onion, peppers, and a sprinkle of cheese and dressing can do the trick.
Citrusy salads are usually a safe bet (we all know lemon and lobster is the perfect pair!). Fruity salads with romaine lettuce and bursts of orange, lemon, and grapefruit and topped with walnuts can let lobster shine while complementing its flavors. A citrus vinaigrette sprinkled over romaine lettuce, diced lobster, and feta cheese would be delicious.
You can also opt for a pasta salad with lobster as the lead. Cooked pasta with a mixture of mayo, vinegar, and fresh herbs and spices topped with fresh Maine lobster is an excellent side dish (or main meal) for the whole family to enjoy.
Maine Lobster is More Versatile Than You Think!
We love the versatility of lobster, the king of the sea, which is why we’re in this business. With some creativity and cooking chops, you can find a home for lobster in virtually any meal – including salad!
Are you ready to order fresh Maine Lobster today? Great! Head over to Maine Lobster House to get some shipped right to your door. Be sure to check out our database of articles and recipes, too, so that you’ll never run out of inspiration for ways to cook lobster.