Quick & Tasty Ina Garten Lobster Salad Recipe for Sunny Days

Lobster salad dances with oceanic elegance, transforming simple ingredients into a culinary treasure.

Maritime flavors burst through this exquisite dish, whisking you to coastal horizons.

Succulent seafood chunks intertwine with crisp vegetables, creating a vibrant taste symphony.

Summer gatherings demand such luxurious and effortless fare that celebrates oceanic abundance.

Each forkful tells a story of pristine ingredients and time-honored traditions.

Light, creamy textures promise a gourmet experience that transcends ordinary meals.

You’ll fall in love with this seafood sensation that elevates casual dining to an art form.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 440 kcal

Servings: 4

Lobster Salad Ingredient Highlights (Ina Garten)

• Cooked Lobster Meat: Select fresh, sweet chunks with a vibrant oceanic color, preferably from cold-water regions.
• Mayonnaise: Choose a high-quality, creamy version for rich, smooth texture.
• Celery: Pick crisp, pale green stalks with minimal blemishes for fresh crunch.
• Capers: Opt for briny, small Mediterranean capers packed in salt for intense flavor.
• Fresh Dill: Select bright green, fragrant sprigs with delicate, feathery leaves.
• Kosher Salt: Use coarse, clean-tasting salt for balanced seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Choose whole peppercorns to grind fresh for maximum aromatic intensity.

• Belgian Endive: Select tight, pale yellow-green leaves without brown edges, ensuring crisp and elegant presentation.

• Extra Fresh Dill, Black Pepper: Choose the same high-quality, freshly ground ingredients to enhance visual and flavor profile.

Tools You’ll Need for Fresh Lobster Salad

• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing lobster salad ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp knife: Essential for precisely trimming endive bases and chopping ingredients.
• Small teaspoon: Ideal for neatly filling endive leaves with lobster mixture.
• Serving platter: Elegant base for showcasing your beautiful appetizers.
• Cutting board: Helps prepare ingredients cleanly and safely.

Step-by-Step for Ina Garten’s Lobster Salad

• Create Lobster Mixture

Blend chopped lobster meat with creamy mayonnaise, adding finely diced celery, drained capers, and fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper, mixing gently to ensure every bite is packed with oceanic flavor.

• Prepare Endive Vessels

Slice the base of Belgian endive and carefully separate leaves, forming delicate edible boats that will cradle the luxurious seafood filling. Choose leaves that are crisp and unblemished for the best presentation.

• Assemble and Garnish

Spoon the lobster mixture into each endive leaf, filling from the base to create elegant bite-sized morsels. Arrange the stuffed leaves on a sleek serving platter, spacing them thoughtfully to showcase their beauty. Sprinkle additional fresh dill and a whisper of black pepper to elevate the visual and taste experience.

• Serve and Enjoy

Present these sophisticated appetizers immediately, allowing guests to savor the delicate balance of tender lobster, crisp endive, and bright herbal notes. These sophisticated nibbles are perfect for cocktail parties, intimate gatherings, or as a refined starter that promises to impress.

Flavor Boost Tips for Lobster Salad

• Boost Flavor with Smart Swaps
• Customize your lobster filling by trading ingredients. Swap fresh dill for chives or tarragon for a different herbal kick. Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier profile. Experiment with smoked salmon or crab meat as alternative protein options.
• Chill for Maximum Taste
• Refrigerate the lobster mixture for 30 minutes before filling endives. This technique allows flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more robust and cohesive appetizer. Cold ingredients also help maintain the crisp texture of the endive leaves.
• Make-Ahead Magic
• Prepare the lobster salad up to 24 hours in advance, storing it in an airtight container. Keep endive leaves separate and crisp in the refrigerator. Assemble just before serving to prevent soggy leaves and maintain optimal texture and presentation.
• Perfect Portion Control
• Scale the recipe easily for intimate dinners or large gatherings. Use smaller endive leaves for bite-sized appetizers at cocktail parties. For a more substantial starter, select larger leaves and increase the lobster filling portion. Adjust seasoning and ingredients proportionally to maintain balanced flavors.

Plating Lobster Salad for Special Meals

• Cocktail Party Showstopper: Arrange these elegant lobster-filled endive leaves on a sleek platter, creating a stunning centerpiece that will wow guests and spark conversation at any sophisticated gathering.
• Seafood Appetizer Pairing: Complement the rich lobster with crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay to enhance the delicate flavors and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Elegant Brunch Bite: Serve these delightful morsels as part of a luxurious weekend brunch spread, adding a touch of gourmet sophistication to your morning meal.
• Gourmet Game Day Upgrade: Transform traditional appetizers by presenting these refined lobster-stuffed endive leaves as a surprising and elevated alternative to standard party snacks.

Storing Leftover Lobster Salad Right

• Preserve Freshness: Store prepared lobster salad in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the endive leaves separate to maintain their crisp texture and prevent soggy edges.
• Advance Prep Magic: Chop lobster and mix salad ingredients up to 24 hours before serving. Refrigerate the mixture tightly covered, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for a more robust taste experience.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Fill endive leaves just before guests arrive to prevent wilting. Perform this step within 30 minutes of serving to ensure maximum crunch and visual appeal of the appetizer.
• Quick Refrigeration Rule: After serving, promptly return any leftover appetizers to the refrigerator. Consume within 1-2 hours to guarantee optimal taste and food safety for these delicate seafood bites.

Elegant Lobster Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s lobster salad celebrates fresh Maine lobster mixed with crisp celery and a light mayonnaise dressing. Summer gatherings welcome this elegant coastal classic that you’ll savor with friends and family.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 340 g (¾ lb) lobster meat, fresh cooked, small-diced
• 120 ml (½ cup) mayonnaise, good quality
• 120 ml (½ cup) celery, small-diced (1 stalk)
• 4 heads belgian endive
• 1 ½ tbsps fresh dill, minced
• 1 tbsp capers, drained
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1 pinch black pepper, freshly ground

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Meticulously dice lobster meat into uniform cubes, ensuring consistent texture and flavor throughout the salad mixture.
2. Blending: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine lobster meat with mayonnaise, celery, capers, and fresh dill, creating a harmonious maritime-inspired mixture. Gently season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, folding ingredients delicately to preserve lobster’s tender structure.
3. Endive Preparation: Trim Belgian endive bases, carefully separating pristine leaves that will serve as elegant vessels for the luxurious lobster filling. Systematically fill each leaf with a precise amount of lobster salad using a small teaspoon.
4. Presentation: Artfully arrange filled endive leaves on a chilled serving platter in a circular or linear pattern. Enhance visual appeal by garnishing with a light sprinkle of additional fresh dill or a subtle dusting of cracked black pepper.
5. Serving: Present immediately to maintain the crisp endive texture and preserve the lobster salad’s fresh, delicate flavors, creating an impressive appetizer or sophisticated light starter.

Notes

• Precision in Dicing: Cut lobster meat into uniform small cubes to guarantee consistent flavor and texture in every bite.
• Gentle Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients softly to prevent breaking delicate lobster meat, maintaining its tender structure.
• Perfect Endive Selection: Choose the most intact, pristine endive leaves for an elegant presentation and optimal flavor delivery.
• Temperature and Timing: Serve immediately on a chilled platter to preserve the crisp endive texture and fresh lobster flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg