The No-Cook Meal I Make When Summer Heats Up

I’m a Maine native, so the thought of any kind of seafood roll other than a lobster roll is a somewhat foreign concept to me. But even I can admit that the price tag of a lobster roll at a seafood shack or the work it takes to cook and break down a lobster at home is often beyond my budget (whether financially or energetically).

For a much faster, much more affordable, and (dare I say) just as delicious summery sandwich, I turn to this no-cook shrimp roll recipe. It takes all of 15 minutes to pull together, and you can use pre-cooked shrimp from your grocery store’s seafood case or frozen-and-thawed cooked shrimp, so you don’t even have to turn on the stove. 

A flavorful mixture of mayo, melted butter, fresh cilantro, and a touch of spicy Sriracha sauce brings the shrimp together into a creamy salad, and a squeeze of lemon juice brightens everything up once it’s piled into a soft, fluffy hot dog bun. It’s giving Maine coast summer vibes without getting stuck in traffic on Route 1.

Tips for Making These Easy Shrimp Rolls

• If you’re using thawed, frozen shrimp, spread the thawed shrimp out over several layers of paper towels and gently pat them dry to remove as much excess water as possible before mixing them into the salad.
• Using top-sliced hot dog buns isn’t strictly necessary, but it sure does make eating these rolls easier!
• You can use parsley, chives, or tarragon in place of the cilantro, if you prefer.
• Swap in another type of hot sauce if you like—sambal oelek or Mexican-style hot sauce would work just as well—or skip it entirely if you’re not into the spicy element.

More No-Cook Summer Meals

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