When it comes to food, lobster doesn’t need anything else to taste better. It’s a far cry from a hot dog or an unseasoned chicken breast. Fresh lobster from Maine brings out all the wonderful sea flavors on its own, so it doesn’t need anything else to make it taste better.
But that doesn’t mean you need to stay away from the sauce. Sometimes, the right sauce pairs with lobster so perfectly that it’s like a match made in heaven. If you want to add a little something extra to your next lobster dish, give these a try:
Lobster is a delicious and luxurious seafood treat. When cooked properly, the sweet and briny flavor of the lobster meat really shines. However, lobster is often served with just a dollop of melted butter for dipping. While butter certainly enhances the natural flavor of lobster, it can also overpower it. If you want your lobster flavor to be the star of the show, try one of these 10 alternative dipping sauces.
Truffled Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise makes a rich, creamy base for lobster dips. To take it up a notch, try adding just a few drops of truffle oil. The earthy, funky flavor of the truffles complements the sweetness of the lobster beautifully. Truffle mayo lets the lobster flavor shine while adding a gourmet twist.
Garlic and Basil Mayonnaise
For a fresher take on lobster mayo, try mixing in some chopped basil and minced garlic. The herby garlic notes pair especially well with the brininess of the lobster. This dip is fresh, flavorful and easy to make. Simply mix a few tablespoons of chopped fresh basil and minced garlic into 1 cup of good quality mayonnaise. Season with a bit of lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Spicy Avocado Dip
Creamy, rich avocado makes an excellent base for a lobster dip. For some heat, you can mix in hot sauce or fresh chopped chili peppers. Mix mashed avocado with Greek yogurt for a dip that complements the lobster’s natural sweetness with a nice little kick. Add some lime juice and cilantro for a fresh, flavorful dipping sauce.
Mango Salsa
For a tropical twist, make a fresh mango salsa using diced mango, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro and lime juice. The sweet juicy mango, subtle heat from the jalapeño and bright, acidic lime form a perfect balance of flavors with the lobster. The fresh flavors of the salsa cut through the richness of the lobster meat wonderfully.
Pineapple Sour Cream
Sweet tangy pineapple makes an unexpected yet delightful pairing with rich sweet lobster. Simply mix some diced fresh pineapple into sour cream. The contrast of the cool, tart sour cream with the sweet tropical pineapple makes a surprising and delicious dip for succulent lobster meat. Add a bit of lime zest or cayenne pepper for extra flavor.
Lemon Dijon Mayo
Tart lemon and zesty Dijon mustard liven up rich mayonnaise to make a phenomenal pairing for lobster. The citrusy tang cuts through the richness beautifully. Whisk together 1 cup mayo 1 tablespoon Dijon the zest and juice of 1 lemon and some minced shallot or garlic. Season to taste with salt, pepper and cayenne for a dip that really makes the lobster pop.
Brown Butter Soy Sauce
Nutty brown butter provides richness while soy sauce enhances the inherent umami of the lobster. Heat 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan until it turns a deep golden brown (be careful not to burn it). Remove from heat and whisk in 2 tablespoons soy sauce. Drizzle this decadent sauce over freshly cooked lobster for an upscale flavor combination.
Harissa Yogurt
Harissa is a spicy North African chili paste that adds incredible flavor to lobster dips. Mix 2 tablespoons of harissa paste into 1 cup of Greek yogurt, along with a bit of lemon juice and salt. The lingering heat from the harissa complements the sweetness of the lobster for a dip that is adventurous yet balanced.
Sweet Chili Sauce
For an Asian twist, try dipping lobster meat into sweet chili sauce. The ginger, garlic, vinegar and chili provide the perfect blend of sweet, sour and spicy to balance the rich lobster. Look for sweet chili sauce at an Asian grocery store or make your own by simmering chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, ginger and sugar.
Drawn Butter with Herbs
If you want to stick with classic butter, try jazzing it up with fresh herbs. Simply melt some butter and mix in some minced parsley, tarragon, dill and lemon zest before dipping in your lobster. The bright herbal flavors will enhance the buttery flavor rather than overpower the lobster. This is a simple way to add more dimension to plain melted butter.
The Number One Sauce for Lobster: Garlic Butter Sauce
We all know butter is a staple with lobster. There is no need for anything fancy to go with lobster meat when you eat it by itself. Just use melted butter as a sauce.
Garlic butter is even better! Garlic and lobster go very well together, as do garlic and butter. Blend them together for a tasty and simple dish.
Other flavored butter can work here, too. Try butter flavored with other herbs, spices, and ingredients you love, like ginger or chili pepper. Or, blend some butter with fresh lemon juice (yet another classic pairing with lobster!).
You’ve probably heard of lobster thermidor. If you want to get the same high-class flavor without becoming a chef, you can make a Thermidor sauce that you can dip your lobster in instead of covering it in.
We have instructions on how to make lobster stock here, along with heavy cream, cheese, white wine, and some herbs and spices like parsley, salt, and pepper. You can find several recipes for a simple Thermidor sauce with a quick Google search.
That brings us to our next best sauce for lobster: a yummy, old-fashioned wine-based sauce. There are so many ways a wine sauce can go that you almost can’t go wrong. Grab your favorite white wine or champagne – both delicious pairings with lobster – and start experimenting.
When you use sauces with lobster, it’s important to find ones that make the lobster taste better without making it taste too strong. Butter is always a good choice because its smooth, salty flavor goes well with lobster’s milder seafood flavor. Wine-based sauces, on the other hand, add a nice kick that makes lobster taste even better than it already does. If you like crustaceans, the sauces listed above go well with them. But don’t be afraid to try other sauces with herbs, spices, or even cheese.
Need some lobster to go with the sauce you want to try? We’ve got you covered. Head over to Maine Lobster House to order fresh Maine lobster today!.
How to Make Butter Dip for Lobster
What is a good dip for lobster?
Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce This classic dip will give your succulent lobster that must-have crunchiness with an added layer of ooey-gooey goodness. Sweet honey mustard combines creamy mustard and smooth honey into one delicious condiment that you won’t be able to resist!
What are the best substitutes for butter?
The substitute that you might want to use depends on what you are using butter for. In baking you can use any fat such as olive oil, nut butters, or even avocados. In baking you can also substitute non-fats for butter such as Greek yogurt, mashed bananas, pumpkin puree, or even applesauce. For replacing butter as a spread, you can use any fat, hummus, avocado, nut butter, or cheese. For cooking, canola oil can be a great sub, or avocado oil is also good because it has a high smoke point.
What dipping sauce goes with lobster?
Mango Chutney This bright and sweet sauce takes your lobster to the tropics, making you forget about the cold northern coast and dream of a sunny beach somewhere far away. This exotic dipping sauce is like having a sultry summer day in every bite, giving your lobster an extra punch of flavor.
How to make lobster dipping sauce?
Another tip for making the perfect lobster dipping sauce is to consider the texture. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a tablespoon of mayonnaise or sour cream to the mix. Alternatively, if you prefer a thinner sauce, you can add a splash of white wine or vinegar to help thin it out.