Weight Watchers Recipe of the Day: Maine Lobster Rolls
(288 calories | 7 Green • 6 Blue • 6 Purple • PointsPlus 7 per serving)
My mom and I recently visited a local food festival specifically to try a Maine lobster roll from a popular seafood truck. We kept it simple and classic: chilled lobster meat lightly dressed and piled into a top-split roll that had been toasted on the griddle. It tasted exactly like a New England lobster roll—fresh, bright, and satisfying.
We also tried a fried clam roll—a hand-breaded, deep-fried clam on a butter-grilled roll with a garlic-herb aioli. Both items were delicious and memorable, and Mom was delighted. After that indulgent lunch, I kept the rest of the day light and balanced.
If you love lobster rolls, you can recreate a lighter version at home that still tastes authentic. The recipe below is adapted from the Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook and adjusted to capture the flavor my mom prefers: tender lobster, a touch of lemon aioli, and a toasted top-split bun.
Skinny on Maine Lobster Rolls
Lobster is a relatively lean splurge: a cup of steamed lobster meat is high in protein and low in fat. Restaurant lobster rolls typically range from 300 to 500 calories depending on bun, butter and mayonnaise—so making them at home is an excellent way to control calories and Weight Watchers points while keeping the authentic taste.
This lighter version keeps the flavor of a traditional Maine roll but uses reduced-fat mayonnaise and toasted (unbuttered) buns to lower fat and calories.
Maine Lobster Rolls (Weight Watchers Friendly)
Servings: 4 • Prep: 10 mins • Cook: 0 mins • Total: 10 mins
Each sandwich: approx. 288 calories. Points: Green 7, Blue 6, Purple 6, PointsPlus 7.
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked lobster meat, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery
- Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 4 top-split hot dog buns, toasted
- Shredded lettuce (optional)
- Paprika for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the lobster meat, reduced-fat mayonnaise, diced celery, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add a pinch of cayenne if you like a slight kick. Mix gently until the lobster is evenly coated.
- If using lettuce, place a small amount of shredded lettuce in each toasted bun. Divide the lobster mixture evenly among the buns. Sprinkle with paprika if desired and serve immediately.
Notes & Variations
Crab Roll Variation: Substitute 1 pound of lump crabmeat for the lobster meat, removing any cartilage pieces. The preparation remains the same.
Lobster Salad: Skip the bun and serve the lobster mixture over a bed of mixed greens for a low-carb alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving: 1 lobster roll
- Calories: 288 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Fat: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
Nutrition figures are approximate and should be used as a guide.
Additional Info
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: American / New England style
This recipe captures the simple, clean flavors of a classic Maine lobster roll while keeping it lighter and suitable for Weight Watchers plans. Whether you make the crab variation or enjoy it as a salad, it’s an easy, impressive meal you can prepare in minutes.
Source: Slightly adapted from Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook