Remove and discard any stray bits of shell or cartilage from the lobster meat and cut it into large chunks (about ¾-inch). Sometimes, you'll see the claw meat left whole, placed across the top of the roll for an impressive presentation.
In a bowl, gently toss lobster with 3 tablespoons mayonnaise and celery (if using). The lobster should be lightly-coated, but not weighed down by the mayonnaise. Add an additional tablespoon of mayonnaise, if needed.
Taste the lobster salad. Some brands of mayo are a bit tangier than others. If the salad needs more brightness, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cover the lobster salad and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or up to 6-8 hours if prepping ahead.
To assemble the lobster rolls, preheat a griddle over medium heat. Butter the flat sides of the hotdog buns and grill for just a couple of minutes per side, until toasted.
Place lettuce (if using) onto each bun and mound with ¼ of the lobster salad. Serve with your favorite sides, such as coleslaw, dill pickles, french fries, or kettle chips.
Notes
*Knuckle and claw meat make for especially sweet and tender lobster rolls. When cooking the lobsters at home, we also add the meat from the tails, though the texture is a bit firmer.In general, plan to cook three, 1-½ pound lobsters for the 1 pound of meat needed for this recipe. Lobster meat yield can vary by season, so consult with your seafood market when purchasing.
To Cook Live Lobsters
For step-by-step instructions, see the Lobster Cooking Guide infographic in the blog post above.To save time, you can also ask your seafood market or the seafood counter at your grocery store to steam the lobsters for you. Some will even remove the meat from the shells.