The Leafy Step That Takes Soggy Lobster Roll Buns Out Of The Equation Forever

Fresh lobster meat doused in melted butter or a creamy salad with the shellfish and ingredients like celery, lobster rolls are a classic dish, especially in the Northeast during summer. One little, but common, issue with lobster rolls, however, is that the bread can turn soggy rather quickly. Luckily, there's a humble ingredient that can prevent this mishap with the pricey sandwich, and it's the simple addition of lettuce.

Now, we get it, traditional lobster rolls don't typically use lettuce between the bun and the shellfish; we've seen the debates online. However, lobster rolls are pricey to make at home or to order at a restaurant, especially when they're fresh. So, if it means saving your sandwich, a little lettuce might be worth it. The lettuce acts as a barrier between the bun and the lobster concoction, which is especially helpful if you need to make the sandwich ahead of time. But really, you can experiment with different types of lettuce from romaine to arugula to add varying texture and flavor to the sandwich — and prevent soggy bread (yuck).

When you're ready to assemble the sandwich, maybe following our buttery Connecticut-style lobster roll recipe, it's nearly effortless to make a barrier with the lettuce. The key is to put the lettuce directly on the bread before you add the buttery lobster or creamy lobster salad. If you're using a leafy lettuce like iceberg or little gem, simply place the whole, clean leaves to fit on the roll. Other options like arugula or kale should be evenly spread into a layer that covers the bread to prevent sogginess.

If you really don't want lettuce on the sandwich, there are some other tips to prevent a soggy lobster roll bun. Perhaps the easiest option is to hold off on assembling the lobster roll until it's just time to serve — and hope dinner guests eat relatively quickly. This limits how much time the ingredients like butter or mayonnaise have to reach the bread. Another option is to toast the bread first so it's a sturdier vessel for the lobster. And at the least, use a split-top hot dog bun or other dense variety of bread so that it holds up to the lobster and other ingredients, even if you can't toast it or assemble the sandwich just before serving and eating. For more, check out these chef-approved tips for assembling a lobster roll.