Vegan Lobster Roll: It Tastes Better

I know what you’re thinking. Vegan lobster? How is that possible?

I don’t blame you, those aren’t two words you usually see together in the same sentence. But keep reading and let me prove to you why vegan lobster is the new caviar and why it’s much better for the environment—and the lobsters.

Why all the fuss about lobster?

Once upon a time, when America and Canada were being settled, lobster washed up on their shores in the thousands. It was so plentiful that, believe it or not, it was used as fertilizer.

Despite lobster becoming popular in Europe in the mid-1880s, America was not convinced.

Even when canneries began to open across New England in the 1800s, lobster was still considered a poor man’s food, and canned lobster became a staple for servants and those incarcerated.

And then, the railways came.

With this new and efficient way of traveling, lobster found itself rebranded. All of a sudden, lobster was in high demand all across America.

As the demand went up the supply decreased, thus leading to higher costs. After all, exclusivity is the true signature of the wealthy!

Did you know vegan lobster is better for the environment?

One significant upside to enjoying vegan seafood such as lobster is the environmental benefits that come with it.

When most people decide to become vegan or vegetarian, they do it out of concern for the environment.

After all, it’s a well-known fact that factory farm industries are a big contributor to carbon emissions. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the sourcing of seafood can be just as damaging.

While fish themselves do not emit anywhere near the amount of greenhouse gases as cows or other livestock, it’s important to remember that fishing boats do.

Not just that, but commercial fishing techniques are notably damaging to not only the ocean itself but also its inhabitants.

Fishing methods such as gillnets, longlines, and trawling usually dredge up more than their intended target.

In fact, it’s very common for sharks, dolphins, and whales alike to become ensnared by such means. And since they are not what the fishermen are looking for, they are often tossed back into the ocean, injured and close to death.

Lining and nets also cause immense damage to coral and seagrass, which are integral parts of the ocean’s ecosystem and are, themselves, home to various fish.

All in all, it makes us wonder; is all this worth that fancy seafood recipe you’ve been meaning to try when a vegan option is right there, waiting?

Can I really enjoy vegan lobster at home?

Yes, absolutely!

Unlike the real thing, vegan lobster is both affordable and accessible. It’s also much better for the environment, something I will touch on later.

When it comes to enjoying vegan lobster at home, you have two options: You can either make it yourself, or you can pick up pre-made lobster from your favorite vegan grocery store.

What are the key ingredients of vegan lobster?

There are four popular substitutes for the body of the vegan lobster. These include yam, yam flour, seitan, and hearts of palm.

Other key ingredients that you can find in vegan lobster meat are modified starch, to give it that texture and form, soybean protein for the nutrients, specific gums to amp up the flavor, and of course, orange food coloring to give it that famous lobster-orange hue.

What are hearts of palm?

A heart of palm is exactly what it sounds like: the heart of a palm tree.

Harvested from the inner core of a palm tree, hearts of palm have proven to be a healthy and beneficial meat substitution.

Hearts of palm are low in calories, carbohydrates, and fat, while being high in nutrients such as iron, potassium, copper, and phosphorus.

Wait, is Old Bay seasoning vegan?

Absolutely!

One of the biggest deterrents for making a lifestyle change like going vegan is the loss of favorite foods.

While it’s undeniable that you are going to have to give up some of your favorite staples, Old Bay seasoning is not one of them.

So say goodbye to bland food and hello to a healthy meal with tons of flavor.

What is a reliable vegan lobster brand?

As veganism is becoming more widely popular, more and more companies are beginning to cater to vegans. However, with more choices come more unknowns.

But fear not, I come bearing a well-received suggestion.

May Wah Lobster

May Wah Lobster is a favorite among NoPigNeva shoppers.

Made from yam flour, all-purpose flour, and a healthy dose of paprika, this New England-inspired vegan lobster is a delicious substitute. It can be enjoyed on its own or in other recipes such as a tasty vegan lobster roll or even a lobster salad.

Lobster isn’t the only vegan food that May Wah has to offer. They also have a range of products from shrimp to citrus spare ribs.

Nestled in the heart of New York’s Chinatown and with over 25 years of experience in bringing the community the best version of vegan alternatives, this company is one you want to keep an eye out for.

Have you tried a vegan lobster roll?

Okay, so we’ve established that vegan lobster is both good for the environment and delicious, but where do we start?

A favorite among the vegan community—especially those from New England— and a perfect introduction to vegan seafood, is a vegan lobster roll.

With only 10 key ingredients, this meal is the epitome of minimum effort for maximum taste.

Lobster rolls as a maritime classic. Composed of a delicious vegan seafood salad and hot dog bun, the vegan lobster roll is a fresh new taste in summer that promises stellar reviews.

While you can always opt to buy pre-made lobster, like this one delivered by NoPigNeva, this vegan lobster roll recipe calls for hearts of palm to be its main ingredient.

So, either check to confirm that your pre-made choice includes hearts of palm, or go the extra mile and make vegan lobster from scratch.

This recipe is as simple as taking your hearts of palm and mixing it with a variety of ingredients, such as the much loved Old Bay seasoning, an onion of your choosing, be that a red onion or otherwise, a tablespoon of lemon juice, dill, and vegan mayo.

You could even add some celery leaves, lemon wedges, and paprika if you feel like being a little adventurous. The best part about a recipe like this is that you can tailor it to whatever you want it to be.

Once you’re all done cooking, simply scoop your delicious, creamy lobster filling into your hot dog buns and you are good to go.

With this way of serving, you can also adjust the portions to whatever serving size, making this summer recipe friendly for adults and kids alike.

If you don’t have a hot dog bun handy, just the filling of this flavor-rich recipe can be a perfect addition to your side dishes, or even turned into a salad mixture or a lobster sandwich.

And the best part? It’s also gluten-free.

Let’s celebrate vegan seafood

Veganism is no longer synonymous with missing out on our favorite flavors. Just take a look at Instagram. On just that one social media platform alone, there are a plethora of recipes waiting for you to discover and try.

And social media isn’t the only place to step up its vegan content game. With more and more vegan products coming onto the market, vegans no longer have to miss out on their favorite meals!

And finally, the same can be said for seafood.

With a wide array of seafood imitations out there, vegans can now reacquaint themselves with their favorite seafood recipes.

This is the perfect alternative to the real deal. So why not add this vegan lobster roll recipe to your summer menu and enjoy this little taste of Maine with the whole family.