Poor Man’s Copycat McDonald’s Lobster Roll

Our McDonald’s doesn’t have lobster rolls on their menu. Heck, I didn’t know that any McDonald’s did. Apparently they are (or at least were) a thing far up the east coast, which makes sense when you think about it. So I had to make one at home. For me, that usually means a ‘poor man’s’ version, which uses imitation lobster instead of the real (expensive) stuff. Sure, I’d love to use real lobster, and I’ve had my share of real lobster rolls, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. So, here it is, my delicious poor man’s copycat of McDonald’s lobster roll.

Poor Man's Copycat McDonald's Lobster Roll

This is not my first time making a poor man’s lobster roll. Heck, I’ve had a standard go-to recipe for one for years and I enjoy it on occasion. The McDonald’s version is a tad different in that there’s no butter to be found, anywhere. It’s a very ‘clean’ tasting roll, and I rather enjoyed it. Fake lobster or not, I’d order it if our McDonald’s sold them!

I recently discovered Blue Plate mayonnaise, which I think is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Poor Man's Copycat McDonald's Lobster Roll
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5 from 1 vote

Poor Man’s Copycat McDonald’s Lobster Roll

Here it is, my delicious poor man's copycat of McDonald's lobster roll.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword copycat, immitation lobster, McDonald’s
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 140kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ cup imitation lobster lump-style, broken into pieces
  • ½ tablespoon mayonnaise
  • pinch kosher salt
  • 1 lettuce leaf
  • dog bun split-top if available

Instructions

  • If desired, lightly toast or warm to the bun before starting.
  • Gently combine the imitation lobster, mayonnaise and salt.
  • Carefully open the bun as wide as you can. Add the lettuce leaf and top with the lobster mixture.
  • Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 557mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1782IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Poor Man’s Lobster Roll

I dream about lobster rolls. Real ones. Loaded with lobster. I’ll take them with or without mayonnaise. My poor man’s lobster roll is not the real thing. It’s not supposed to be. But it is supposed to get as close to the flavor of the real thing without spending a lot of money. And for me, it works.

Poor Man's Lobster Roll

My poor man’s lobster roll is enough to get me by until I can head to Caplinger’s Fresh Catch here in Indianapolis for a fresh lobster roll. But I can enjoy my imitation version without shame. I don’t even have to close the drapes so no one notices that I’m using imitation lobster! Heck, it’s tasty!

I recently discovered Blue Plate mayonnaise, which I think is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Did you know that in some parts of the US McDonald’s has a lobster roll on their menu? Yep. So I made a copycat of that too!

Also try my copycat of Golden Corral’s crab salad.

Poor Man's Lobster Roll
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Poor Man’s Lobster Roll

I dream about lobster rolls. Real ones. Loaded with lobster. I’ll take them with or without mayonnaise. My poor man’s lobster roll is not the real thing. It’s not supposed to be
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword immitation lobster, sandwich
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 473kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces imitation lobster chunky style
  • 1 teaspoon dried tarragon or more, to taste, crushed
  • 1 stalk celery diced
  • 1 medium lemon halved
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise more or less, to taste
  • Kosher salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 2 hot dog rolls split-top are best
  • ½ tablespoon salted butter melted
  • ½ tablespoon green onion sliced, for garnish

Instructions

  • Gently mix the lobster, tarragon, celery, juice of half of the lemon, mayonnaise together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir.
  • Brush the outside of the rolls with the butter and place under the broiler or into 350 F oven until lightly toasted.
  • Divide lobster mixture between the rolls. They'll be very full. That's good!
  • Garnish with green onions. Serve with the remaining half lemon for juicing if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 1071mg | Potassium: 266mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 326IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.