Let’s be honest: lobster carries a big price tag. Grabbing a delicious roll stuffed with cold water Maine lobster and all the trimmings costs around $45 at my favorite spot in Edmonds. That’s beyond my budget these days. But what if I told you that you could serve 4 people stuffed lobster rolls with crunchy kettle-style potato chips and cold beer for around $40? Enter my Brown Butter Lobster Rolls with Extra Chive Butter!
Yes, you read it correctly! I have a fun and delicious secret. Your local grocery store stocks small lobster tails that won’t break the bank. They are often previously frozen, direct from Canada. The price tag? Four bucks on sale, $5-$6 regularly priced. I happened into my local Winco, saw these delicious tiny tails, and picked up 7 of them on sale for $28. Then, I grabbed a 6-pack of Rainier beer (my absolute favorite with seafood) for around $8 and snagged a bag of kettle-cooked potato chips to round things out. Finally, I had 2 sticks of butter at home along with chives from my garden. Brioche rolls are $5 for a 6-pack as well.
When we learn to cook, we can save a lot of money making something that’s both delicious and a far better value than anything that can be ordered in a restaurant.
Makes 4-6 rolls
Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes
6-7 small lobster tails
2 sticks butter (1 cup)
1 bunch chives, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1 package of brioche hot dog buns
- Using kitchen scissors, cut the thawed raw lobster tails down the top of the shell. I cut through the top and bottom. Gently remove the meat and set aside.
- Slice the meat into large nuggets. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Heat 1/2 cup butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted, add the lobster meat. Sautee 2-3 minutes until the lobster is fully cooked. Remove from heat.
- In a saucepan, melt the other stick of butter and add the full bunch of chopped chives.
- Toast the brioche buns in the oven on a sheet pan for 3-5 minutes.
- Stuff the toasted buns with lobster, then drizzle with chive butter and enjoy with ice cold beer and kettle chips!
