Bring Back the Magic: How to Reheat a Lobster Roll and Make It Taste Fresh-Made

As a New Englander nothing says summer to me more than biting into a perfect lobster roll. That heavenly combination of cool creamy lobster salad and a butter-toasted, griddled bun is my idea of heaven. But let’s face it – lobster rolls aren’t cheap. So when you’ve got leftovers from that roadside seafood shack or you splurged on bringing home a couple prepared rolls from the grocery store, you want to save that second roll for later without sacrificing taste or texture.

The key to reheating lobster rolls is gentle, even heating to warm through without drying out the delicate lobster meat or making the bun soggy With the right techniques, you can revive a refrigerated lobster roll nearly as good as the day you got it. In this article, I’ll share the best methods for reheating lobster rolls at home, plus extra serving ideas to make the most of your leftovers. Let’s get that lobster roll back in top form!

Tips for Storing Lobster Rolls

Before we get into the reheating methods, a few quick tips on storing lobster rolls:

• Keep rolls refrigerated at 40°F or slightly below. They’ll keep for 2-3 days max.
• Separate the bun from the lobster filling to prevent sogginess.
• Store lobster salad in an airtight container if not served in a roll.
• Don’t freeze assembled lobster rolls – the bun will get mushy.
• You can freeze just the lobster filling for longer storage. Thaw in the fridge before using.

Now let’s talk about the best reheating techniques. I’ll cover quick microwave and oven methods first, then detail a more gently heating technique that really brings lobster rolls back to their peak.

Reheating Lobster Rolls in the Microwave

If you’re in a rush, the microwave can quickly revive a lobster roll in just minutes. Here’s how:

• Heat the bun halves separately so they don’t get soggy. Wrap in a paper towel and microwave 10-15 seconds until warm.
• Meanwhile, put the lobster filling in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave 30 seconds, stir, then continue heating in 15 second bursts until warm throughout.
• Watch filling closely so lobster doesn’t overcook. Stop early if already hot.
• Assemble roll and enjoy!

The downside to microwave reheating is it can make the lobster meat rubbery and dry if heated too long. Use care and err on the side of under-heating.

Baking Lobster Rolls in the Oven

For more even, gentle reheating, you can bake lobster rolls in the oven. Simply preheat your oven to 300°F and follow these steps:

• On a small baking sheet, arrange buns split-side up. Heat 3-5 minutes until lightly toasted.
• Meanwhile, transfer lobster filling to an oven-safe dish. Cover with foil and heat alongside buns for 4-5 minutes.
• Check lobster filling frequently to prevent overcooking.
• Remove both from oven, assemble rolls, and enjoy!

The indirect heat of the oven lets you bring lobster rolls back up to temperature more carefully. But for truly next-level results, I suggest…

Reheating on the Stovetop for Maximum Flavor

My favorite way to reheat a lobster roll combines stovetop and oven heating for unmatched flavor and texture. Here’s how it works:

• First, put oven on low just to warm – 200°F. Place bun halves split-side up on a small baking sheet to lightly re-toast for 3-5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, gently reheat lobster salad in a pan on the stovetop. Choose a sauté pan or saucepan that hugs the bottom.
• Add a couple tablespoons of butter and melt over medium-low heat.
• Add lobster filling and stir continuously with a silicone spatula, allowing the butter to fully coat the lobster.
• Once hot throughout, remove filling and assemble onto warmed, toasted buns.

The butter nicely reheats and re-flavors the lobster, while the constant motion keeps it from overcooking. The oven-warmed bun provides the perfect final touch.

More Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Lobster

Reviving leftover lobster rolls is just one way to repurpose extra lobster filling from your summer indulgences. Here are a few more tasty possibilities:

• Make lobster salad lettuce wraps in lieu of rolls.
• Stuff into tomatoes or hollowed-out avocados.
• Toss with pasta and veggies for a simple pasta primavera.
• Fill omelettes, frittatas or crustless quiche.
• Top salads, baked potatoes, nachos or tacos.
• Swap in for crab cakes or croquettes.
• Fold into risotto or mac and cheese near the end of cooking.

However you choose to serve that leftover lobster I hope these reheating methods help you resurrect the deliciousness of your original lobster roll. With the right gentle heating and a warmed butter-toasted bun, you can come remarkably close to freshly made. Here’s to making every bite count!