🦞 How to Bring the Tradition of Maine Lobster to Your Thanksgiving Table

🦞 How to Bring the Tradition of Maine Lobster to Your Thanksgiving Table

A Note from Mark at the Wharf

Every year, as the tide rolls out and the air turns crisp, I find myself thinking about the tables we all gather around. Not just here in Maine, but everywhere our lobster travels — homes filled with laughter, stories, and the clatter of dishes that mean we’re together again.

This season, I wanted to offer something different. Not another sale or slogan, but a reminder — that lobster has always been part of Thanksgiving’s story. It’s a tradition older than any recipe card, born right here on this coastline.

So if you’ve ever wondered how to bring a little Maine to your holiday table, this is for you.
From our Wharf to wherever you gather, here’s to gratitude, simplicity, and the joy of good food shared well.

— Mark

The Table Remembers

Thanksgiving didn’t start with turkey. When the Pilgrims first gathered in the 1600s, the feast was far simpler — and closer to the sea. Lobster, clams, cod, and other ocean treasures were abundant, caught fresh from the cold Atlantic waters. The first Thanksgiving table probably smelled like butter and brine, not gravy and sage.

So when you bring lobster to your Thanksgiving table, you’re not breaking tradition. You’re remembering it.

Why Lobster Belongs in the Feast

There’s something deeply human about serving seafood from Maine. It’s food pulled by hand, cared for by families who’ve worked these waters for generations. It’s also surprisingly effortless — delicate meat that’s already cooked, cleaned, and ready to elevate any dish you love.

Lobster brings a sense of celebration without the stress. It turns an ordinary side into a story worth retelling.

How Far Two Pounds Can Go

Two pounds of hand-picked, expertly cooked Maine lobster meat can feed a small crowd in beautiful ways. Think of it as your “secret ingredient” — the Maine ingredient — for warmth, comfort, and a bit of luxury.

DISH OUNCES SERVES FEELING
Lobster Mashed Potatoes 4 oz 4 ppl Surprise
Lobster Bisque Appetizers 8 oz 6-8 ppl Elegant
Baked Stuffed Lobster Tails 16 oz 4 ppl Showy
Lobster Cornbread Casserole 8 oz 6 ppl Unexpected  
Lobster Roll Sliders (Friendsgiving) 8 oz 8 ppl Nostalgic
Lobster Mac & Cheese 12 oz 4-6 ppl Cozy


Recipe Ideas for a Maine-Inspired Thanksgiving

Lobster Mashed Potatoes: view full recipe
Whip Yukon Gold potatoes with butter and cream, then fold in warm lobster meat and a sprinkle of chives. A touch of lemon zest cuts through the richness — indulgent without being heavy.

Baked Stuffed Lobster Tails: view full recipe
Butterfly your tails, mix breadcrumbs with herbs, butter, and a bit of lobster, then bake until golden. Serve with lemon butter and pride. It’s the main course that gets applause.

Friendsgiving Lobster Casserole: view full recipe
Combine pasta shells, cheddar, lobster meat, and roasted corn. Bake until bubbling and golden. It travels well and disappears fast.

The Spirit of Maine at Your Table

Every Thanksgiving is a little different — fewer rules, more personality, maybe even a few new faces around the table. The point isn’t perfection; it’s presence.

The crack of the shell, the laughter after the first bite, the sound of stories shared over good food — these are the real traditions.

Bringing Maine lobster to your Thanksgiving table isn’t about doing more. It’s about slowing down, sharing generously, and remembering what this season has always been about: gratitude, connection, and the simple joy of feeding the people you love.