Famous Lobster & Prawn Roll
Few dishes feel more Canadian than a lobster roll — sweet shellfish tucked into a soft bun with just enough dressing to let the seafood shine. In Atlantic Canada, lobster rolls are a summer staple, found at seaside shacks, fairs, and family gatherings. Prawns make this version more affordable but no less satisfying. For a Newfoundland twist, some families serve it on a warm, pan-fried touton instead of a bun — rustic, hearty, and uniquely East Coast.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
400 g cooked lobster meat (or prawns), chopped into bite-sized pieces
3 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp lemon juice
1 celery stalk, finely diced
1 tbsp chives or green onion, finely chopped
Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 soft hot-dog buns, split (or 4 toutons, if using)
2 tbsp butter, melted
Method
In a medium bowl, combine lobster or prawns with mayonnaise, lemon juice, celery, and chives. Season with salt and pepper.
Lightly brush buns (or toutons) with melted butter and toast until golden.
Spoon seafood mixture into buns or onto toutons.
Serve warm with extra lemon wedges on the side.
Variations
East Coast Classic – Use Atlantic lobster and serve with coleslaw for the full seaside shack experience.
Budget-Friendly – Swap lobster for prawns or even canned shrimp for a lighter version.
Newfoundland Twist – Serve on toutons instead of buns for a rustic, local touch.
Lobster rolls are so beloved in Atlantic Canada that even McDonald’s briefly offered them on menus in the Maritimes — a quirky moment that showed just how iconic this dish is. Beyond fast food, they remain tied to Canada’s coastal culture: lobster once considered “poor man’s food” has become a symbol of East Coast pride, celebration, and summer tradition.
