Nothing says summer in New England like a lobster roll, so this week I put together a homemade lobster roll board. This was a crowd pleaser at my house and was a delicious way to enjoy a night out on the patio. This board is actually really easy to put together and can be served as dinner, lunch or a picnic.
Below you can see a quick look at how to put this lobster roll board together along with some ideas for serving it and keeping it fresh.
Hi, I’m Gretchen - creator of Amazing Charcuterie Boards. I help home hosts and beginners create beautiful, stress-free charcuterie boards with simple rules, realistic portions, and easy styling techniques.
If you’re planning your next board, you may also find these helpful:
→ Charcuterie Board Portion Calculator
→ How to Design a Charcuterie Board (simple rules & layouts)
→ The Best Charcuterie Board Pairings
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Ingredients for a Lobster Roll Board
This board is simple with just a few ingredients:
- Lobster Rolls
- Cole Slaw
- French Fries
A few notes about the ingredients:
French Fries: I used frozen french fries with herbs on them.
Cole Slaw: You can of course make your own cole slaw, but most grocery stores also sell it.
Lobster Rolls: There are several options for the lobster rolls themselves. You can get lobster rolls for take out at a local lobster shop if you live near the coast, or you can order/buy lobster meat and make your own lobster rolls. One great option is to get the Luke’s lobster roll kit from Whole Foods. It’s not quite as good as fresh off the boat, but a great option for making at home.
Assembling the Lobster Roll Board
Assembly for this board is SO easy. The only thing to heat up are the french fries. Both the cole slaw and lobster rolls are served cold. You can put the lobster rolls on the board and add French fries and cole slaw.
Tips for Serving and Keeping Your Lobster Roll Board Fresh
- Keep it cold until the last minute. Lobster meat is delicate — keep it chilled in the fridge and add it to the board right before serving. If you’re eating outside, nestle a small bowl of ice under the lobster roll platter to keep things fresh on a warm patio evening.
- Fries last. Fry or bake them right before you plan to eat so they stay crispy — they’re the one element on this board that doesn’t hold well if it sits out.
- Butter or mayo on the side. If your guests have different preferences (some lobster roll purists want warm butter, others want a classic mayo-based roll), a small side dish of each lets everyone build their own.
- Add a squeeze of lemon. A few lemon wedges on the board brighten up the lobster and are a nice finishing touch.
- Make it a full spread. For a bigger gathering, this board pairs well with a light seafood charcuterie board or a small seacuterie board if you want to round things out with more ocean flavors.
How Far Ahead Can You Prep This Board?
The cole slaw can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. If you’re making your own lobster rolls, you can prep the lobster meat mixture a few hours in advance and keep it chilled — just wait to fill the rolls until right before serving so the bread doesn’t get soggy. Fries should always be made fresh.
More Board Ideas You’ll Love
I actually made this board the same night as this lobster Seacuterie and these are great to serve together for a real meal!
- Looking for more warm-weather inspiration? Check out dinner board ideas for more full-meal boards like this one.
- If you’re feeding a smaller group, my small board ideas guide has tips for scaling boards like this down.
- Not sure how much to buy? Use my portion calculator to figure out exactly how many lobster rolls you’ll need for your crowd.
- Get more ideas for seafood charcuterie boards.
FAQ
Can I make this board with frozen lobster meat?
Yes, just make sure it’s fully thawed and patted dry before mixing it into your roll filling so it doesn’t water down the mayo or butter.
What kind of bread works best for lobster rolls?
A New England-style split-top hot dog bun is traditional: toasted in butter until golden on both sides.
Can I make this board dairy-free?
Yes, simply use a dairy-free mayo for the lobster roll filling and skip the butter-based version.
What else can I add to this board?
Pickle spears, a small bowl of drawn butter for dipping, or a light corn salad all work well alongside the lobster rolls, slaw, and fries.
