Garlic Butter Hearts of Palm (Lobster Substitute)

Name: Garlic Butter Hearts of Palm (Lobster Substitute)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (25 oz) jar hearts of palm; 1/2 tsp lobster base; 1/2 cup water; paprika, to taste; 1 stick butter; 5 cloves garlic; 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish; crusty bread, for serving

Hearts of palm roasted in savory lobster broth and coated in garlic butter sauce delivers the tender, briny texture of lobster at a fraction of the cost. Serve warm with crusty bread for dipping.

🌍American 🏷️Hearts of palm 🏷️Lobster substitute 🏷️Garlic butter 🏷️Appetizer Seafood-style

🏷️

🏷️Quick recipe

-0:00

TikTok

Total

20 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$17–$28

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

-0:00

TikTok

Ingredients

1 (25 oz) jar hearts of palm
1/2 tsp lobster base
1/2 cup water
paprika, to taste
1 stick butter
5 cloves garlic
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, for garnishoptional
crusty bread, for servingoptional

8 Ingredients

Delivery in as fast as one hour.^*

Powered by Instacart

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

Instructions

1
Drain and pat dry the hearts of palm, then chop them into bite-sized pieces.
2
In a small bowl, whisk together the lobster base and water to create a broth.
3
Place the chopped hearts of palm in a small, oven-safe baking dish and pour the broth over them.
4
Sprinkle the hearts of palm with paprika.
5
Cook in an air fryer at 400°F for 15 minutes.
6
While the hearts of palm are cooking, place the stick of butter in a microwave-safe bowl and press the garlic cloves into it.
7
Melt the butter and garlic together until fragrant.
8
Once cooked, remove the hearts of palm from the baking liquid and transfer them to a serving bowl.
9
Pour the melted garlic butter over the hearts of palm.
10
Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Drain hearts of palm thoroughly before roasting to remove excess liquid and allow better browning and sauce absorption.
Slice garlic thinly and cook over medium heat to avoid browning or bitterness; burnt garlic will overpower the delicate hearts of palm.
Reserve some of the roasting broth to thin the garlic butter if it becomes too thick, creating a dippable consistency.
Toast the crusty bread lightly before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy when dipped into the butter sauce.

Substitutions

Lobster base → fish sauce (1/4 tsp) or Old Bay seasoning (pinch)
Butter → ghee (same amount, adds depth)
Parmesan → pecorino Romano (sharper, saltier finish)
Crusty bread → crostini, crackers, or roasted potatoes (for dipping)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat gently in a 300°F oven with a splash of water to restore sauce consistency.

Common Questions

Can I use fresh hearts of palm instead of canned?

Canned hearts of palm are recommended for this recipe as they're pre-cooked and have the ideal tender texture. Fresh hearts of palm require longer cooking and may become too soft.

What can I use if I don't have lobster base?

Substitute with fish sauce (1/4 tsp), seafood seasoning, or a pinch of Old Bay seasoning to replicate the briny lobster flavor.

How do I know when the hearts of palm are done roasting?

They should be heated through and lightly caramelized at the edges, approximately 10-15 minutes depending on your oven and jar size.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Prepare the roasted hearts of palm up to 1 day ahead. Reheat gently in the oven, then prepare fresh garlic butter sauce just before serving for best flavor and texture.

Is this recipe vegetarian?

No, lobster base contains shellfish. Use vegetable broth and omit the lobster base, or substitute with a plant-based seafood-flavored seasoning for a vegetarian version.