Ina Garten lobster & avocado sandwiches are a no cook dinner she made after finding leftover lobster. She stacked a lemony lobster salad on mashed avocado and toasted potato rolls. It feeds six in 15 minutes, so it doubles as a simple family dinner.
Ina splits the lemon juice unevenly, giving more to the avocado so it stays green and adds a citrus punch the lobster doesn’t need. Use avocados soft enough to mash with a fork, because firm ones won’t spread right.
Source: Go-To Dinners (2022)
Ina Garten Lobster & Avocado Sandwiches
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes505
kcalCold lobster salad tossed with mayo, celery, and lemon juice, layered over thick mashed avocado on toasted potato rolls. A high-low combination with creamy, crunchy contrast in every bite.
Ingredients
1 pound cooked lobster meat, medium-diced
1 cup (small-diced) celery (3 ribs)
¾ cup good mayonnaise, such as Hellmann’s or Best
2½ tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, and peeled
6 potato rolls, lightly toasted (see note)
Directions
- Mix the lobster salad: Combine the lobster, celery, mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Mash the avocados: Combine the avocados in another bowl with the remaining 1½ tablespoons of lemon juice, 1½ teaspoons salt, and ¾ teaspoon pepper and coarsely mash together with a fork.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Place the bottom halves of the rolls on a board and spread with the avocado mixture. Arrange the lobster mixture on top. Replace the roll tops and serve at room temperature.
FAQs
Can I use frozen lobster tails instead of whole lobsters?
Frozen lobster tails work well here. Boil them for about 8 to 10 minutes until the shells turn red, then cool and dice the meat. Two whole 2-pound lobsters give about one pound of meat, so plan on roughly four large tails to match that amount.
How far ahead can I make the lobster salad?
You can mix the lobster, celery, and mayo up to a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. Hold off on mashing the avocados until right before serving, because they brown within an hour or two even with the lemon juice.
How should I store leftover lobster salad?
Keep the lobster salad and mashed avocado in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to one day. Once assembled, the sandwiches don’t store well since the rolls go soggy and the avocado oxidizes. Assemble only what you plan to eat.
Do the potato rolls make a real difference?
Potato rolls are soft and slightly sweet, which balances the rich lobster and tangy avocado. Brioche buns or soft slider buns work as substitutes. Skip anything crusty because it fights the filling instead of cradling it.
What if my avocados aren’t ripe enough?
If the avocados don’t give when you press them gently, they’re not ready. Place them in a paper bag at room temperature for a day or two to speed up ripening. Forcing an unripe avocado through a fork gives you lumps instead of a smooth, spreadable base.
